Pyšolec, Medieval castle ruin in Kobylnice, Czech Republic

Pyšolec is a castle ruin on a wooded hill above the Vír II reservoir, one kilometre north of Kobylnice. Its core, about 50 m long and 15–20 m wide, holds the 7 m stump of a round bergfried 9.5 m across, a well hollow and traces of a palace. Three neck ditches cut the ridge, the second up to 30 m wide and 17 m deep.

Pyšolec was probably founded by the Pernštejn family in the 13th century. It was first mentioned in 1350, when Filip the Younger of Pernštejn sold the damaged castle to Ješek of Konice and Ješek of Kravař. In 1358 Jimram of Pernštejn exchanged the estate with Margrave John Henry, who had it rebuilt. It was described as ruined in 1464.

The ruins show how medieval people built and used their fortifications. You can still see how the walls were arranged and where the main spaces of the castle once stood.

To reach the ruins, you walk across natural terrain and rely on your own navigation. There are no guided tours or entrance fees, but also no paved paths.

About 300 metres southwest of the castle, remains of a medieval lime kiln survive, probably fired while the castle was being built. Two pits nearby mark where clay for the kiln was dug. The limestone came from a nearly exhausted crystal limestone deposit quarried here in an area 80 by 20 metres.