Burg Zbiroh, Rock castle in Malá Skála, Czech Republic.

Burg Zbiroh is a four-part Gothic ruin on a narrow rocky spur in a bend of the Jizera River at about 450 m. At its core stood the square residential tower called Kazatelnice, behind it a cistern and an L-shaped palace with a vaulted northern wing; a neck ditch and a lightly fortified outer bailey lay to the east.

The castle's founder is unknown; in the late 14th century it belonged to Markvart of Vartenberk, who rebelled against King Wenceslaus IV. The king besieged and took Zbiroh in 1390, then sold it to Otto of Bergov, who rebuilt it. After bandits settled there it was stormed again and razed in 1442; in 1458 it was recorded as deserted.

The ruins show medieval living quarters and defensive structures carved into the rock, reflecting how inhabitants organized their daily lives within these tight spaces. You can see how people gathered water and prepared their defenses against threats.

Hiking to the castle passes through wooded landscape and offers different routes depending on how close you want to get to the top and the views. Sturdy footwear and time to explore the internal stairs and carved chambers are important.

The name Kazatelnice, "the Pulpit", was given to the square residential tower at the head of the castle core, standing above the neck ditch that cut it off from the lightly fortified outer bailey. The castle was described as deserted in 1458, when the estate of Jan of Bergov was settled.