Kašperk Castle, Castle ruin in Žlíbek, Czech Republic
Kašperk Castle is a ruin located at an elevation of about 886 meters, comprising two residential towers and an elongated palace constructed between them. The structure shows the defensive design of a medieval border fortress with thick walls and strategic layout.
Construction took place between 1356 and 1361 to protect the border with Bavaria and secure gold resources in the region. This period marked the strengthening of control over important trade routes and resources across Bohemia.
The castle served as an administrative hub for the surrounding mining regions and facilitated exchange between Bohemian and Bavarian communities. People from different areas came here for trade and to settle border matters.
Visitors reach the castle via a walking path of about 3 kilometers from Kašperské Hory or use a parking area roughly 1.5 kilometers from the entrance. The best time to visit is during dry weather, as the paths are steep and can become slippery.
The two towers in the east both served as bergfrieds, an unusual arrangement for a Bohemian castle. The eastern tower has been used as a lookout since the 1930s, and its roof, dating from that decade, was destroyed by Hurricane Kyrill and later replaced. About 300 metres east stand the remains of Pustý hrádek, a siege work probably built by the Šternberg family between 1454 and 1476.
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