Chřenovice, Castle ruin in Chřenovice, Czech Republic

Chřenovice is a stone castle ruin situated on a hilltop, built during the Gothic period with thick defensive walls and period architectural features. The remains showcase the structure's layout and defensive design from its medieval past.

The castle was founded before 1289 by Léva of Janovice, likely an ancestor of the lords of Chřenovice. In the early 15th century it passed to Prague burgher Hanuš Otlinger, who sold it after 1414 to Kutná Hora burgher Kunrát Náz. His descendant Jan Náz sold it to the lords of Říčany, who attached it to their Ledeč estate and abandoned it; it was recorded as deserted in 1545.

The site reflects how medieval nobles lived and defended their territories, with the stone walls showing the practical building choices they made. You can observe the layout and construction methods that made this place both a home and a fortress.

The ruins are accessible by marked hiking trails from the village of Chřenovice, with informational signs at the site explaining key features. Sturdy footwear is recommended due to uneven terrain and loose stones around the remains.

The round bergfrit tower still stands about 20 metres high, with walls 2.5 metres thick at ground level. Its original entrance was a vaulted doorway 12 metres up, reached by a wooden structure, and the tower bears the imprint of a battlemented parapet.