Andělská Hora Castle

The sally port from above. lycanthropejeff (Atlas Obscura User)

In the 14th century, the House of Hrabischitz from Riesenburg built a castle above the village of Andělská Hora in the Karlovy Vary region of Czechia. Though the castle is no longer inhabited and has fallen into a state of ruin, parts of the structure still stand atop a perch, surrounded by the Slavkov Forest and Doupov Mountains.

Andělská Hora served to protect the family’s local estates. It stood for more than 200 years before it was conquered and plundered by Swedish forces in 1635, during the Thirty Year War. The castle was damaged, but not completely abandoned until 1718, when its roof caught fire and burned down. Over the years, the ruined castle became a popular destination for guests at the Kaiserbad Spa in nearby Karlovy Vary.

Travelers heading west from Prague towards the German border can’t help but notice these enticing ruins atop the most prominent peak in the area. The short hike up the steep slopes rewards intrepid adventures with an astounding view of the stunning agricultural land surrounding the village. There are several remnant structures to explore once you pass the once-imposing sally port and the well is still visible hidden amongst the various ruined buildings.

Know Before You Go

Once you make your way to the town of Andělská Hora, approximately 2 hours west of Prague, you can't miss the ruins on the hilltop. There are some historical markers in Czech scattered about. The hike to the ruins is not technical but could be problematic for some with mobility issues.