Džbán Castle, Castle ruin in Lhota pod Džbánem, Czech Republic

Džbán Castle is a ruined medieval castle on a promontory above the Vrata gorge, 600 m southeast of Mutějovice station. Its triangular layout covered 200 × 300 m, with a 60 × 45 m French-style castrum front guarded by three round towers; only the northern tower's torso, wall fragments and the deep ditch with rampart survive, now overgrown with high forest.

Archaeological research dates the castle's construction to the first half of the 13th century; given its size, it was probably founded by King Wenceslaus I or his father Ottokar I. It was likely abandoned by the end of the 13th century, possibly after a fire or because deep ditches damaged the geological subsoil. The first written mention comes from 1516, when the Rakovník town book records stones hauled from the quarry at the deserted castle in Čbán.

The castle site incorporates elements of both fortress and French château designs, representing an early example of Gothic military architecture in the region.

The best way to reach it is by train to Mutějovice station and then following the green hiking trail through the forest. The terrain is hilly, so wear sturdy shoes and allow time to explore the site.

A keystone found in the ruins bore the year 1273, though it cannot be proven that this was the year of construction. The castle's true name is unknown; the name Džbán comes from the ridge, and Václav Hájek z Libočan called it Čbán in his 1541 chronicle.