Žumberk Fortress, Medieval fortified house in Žumberk, Czech Republic
Žumberk Fortress is a five-sided fortified structure perched on a hilltop with thick stone walls and a surrounding defensive moat. The construction demonstrates the typical building methods of medieval fortifications in Central Europe.
The structure was built at the end of the 13th century and changed ownership multiple times, including a period under a documented robber knight. It later fell into decline and became a ruin.
The fortress takes its name from the German "Sonenberg", meaning sun mountain, which gradually transformed into the Czech "Žumberk" over centuries. This linguistic heritage reveals the region's position between German and Czech cultural worlds.
The site can be visited free of charge year-round without any entry fees. Wearing sturdy footwear is recommended, as the grounds are uneven and access requires walking.
A physician lived there from 1760 to 1770, using the abandoned ruin as a residence. Local inhabitants later dismantled stones from the fortress to use as building materials for new structures.
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