Kašperk

The highest royal castle in Bohemia — built for Charles IV in 1356 to guard the gold mines and the Golden Trail — with the Pustý hrádek outwork nearby offering the best view of it.

Charles IV had Kašperk built in 1356 to watch over the gold mines of Kašperské Hory and the branch of the Golden Trail he had just routed through them — at about 886 m, it is the highest royal castle in Bohemia. The long, narrow castle with its two prism towers was never taken by force, and its restored east tower gives a wide view over the Šumava foothills. The local secret is 400 metres further along the ridge: Pustý hrádek, the castle’s ruined artillery outwork, whose rocks hold the single best view of Kašperk itself — the castle in full profile with the mountains behind. The castle is open in season; Pustý hrádek is free at any hour.