Zbořený Kostelec Castle, Castle ruin in Týnec nad Sázavou, Czech Republic

Zbořený Kostelec is a ruin of a Gothic castle on a rocky spur above the right bank of the Sázava at its confluence with the Kamenický stream, about 300 m above sea level in the Čížov nature reserve. The best-preserved part is the two-room palace on the north side; the entrance gate with traces of the drawbridge pivots and seats, the round tower on the rock above the river, and the outer rampart date from Kuneš Rozkoš of Dubé.

Founded probably by King Wenceslaus II in the last third of the 13th century, the castle is first documented in 1342, when Oldřich Medek of Valdek held it in pledge. Charles IV bought it back in 1356 but soon pledged it again. In 1467 the royal army took and demolished it.

The name Zbořený Kostelec, meaning "demolished Kostelec", recalls the royal army's capture and destruction of the castle in 1467. The village opposite the ruin carries the same name, and the site lies in the Čížov nature reserve.

The ruin is reached on foot only: a green-marked trail from Čakovice, a red trail through the Sázava valley from Nespeky, or a blue trail from Týnec nad Sázavou. Prague bus line 339 stops below the castle, where there is a small car park. A 143 m suspension footbridge over the Sázava, opened in July 2015, links both banks for walkers and cyclists.

The 143-metre suspension footbridge over the Sázava below the castle opened in July 2015 and was built by the Central Bohemian Region; it links both banks for walkers and cyclists on routes 1 and 19. The castle also preserves the remains of a fortified camp of Jiří z Poděbrad's troops on its northern side.