The Drahotuše ruins are magnificent – huge gnarled tree trunks grow through these ruins abandoned since the 15th century. Apart from a brisk hike through the forest, I discovered the possibility this castle was part of an Ewok-like settlement in east Czechia.

History

Bohuš of Holfštýn¹ (later of Drahotuše²) built the castle in the 13th century¹. This could have been as early as 1269² even if the first recorded mention of him is from 21 January 1278³.

The name Bohuš is Scandinavian suggesting he or his family travelled south and settled in Moravia. We do know the family was influential and were nobility⁴. We don’t know much else about him, his family or his life in Drahotuše castle.

The castle’s ownership changed in 1476 when the Persteins took over the region². They did not live there as they had their own castle so it didn’t take long – 1491 ¹ – before they abandoned it².

Czech state records show part of the castle may have been blown up using gunpowder¹. While I can’t find any evidence or sources explaining this hypothesis, it makes sense to want to prevent your enemies from getting hold of a fully-functional castle.

Architecture

On site, you can tell this building was rectangular and made up of several rooms with cellars of sorts. Czech state archives describe a tower-like gate and farm buildings¹ but it wasn’t clear to me which was which.

There is a cylindrical tower (well the remains of one) which means cylindrical towers were in vogue in Moravia at the time. The remains show there was an explosion² from some time in the 15th century⁴.

Frydberk castle also has a cylindrical tower and is also in the Olomouc region. Now the tower is part of a church.

One source describes this castle as one of four fortified hills connected by wooden suspension bridges⁴. This fascinating image sounds like the Ewok village from The Empire Strikes Back!

I cannot find any source material backing this claim up so if you have any information please share!

The nature and age of these remains make this a Czech cultural monument¹.

Surroundings

The steep Oderské Hill has other ruins you will pass on your way up. I was fascinated by a well-preserved stone bridge ² over a babbling brook that accompanied part of my trek. It’s hard to say what period it’s from but the architecture and style is similar to the castle ruins.

The brook becomes a full river in spring when winter snow melts³. This matches the width of the valley and the dank, humid environment I trudged through. The river makes a natural protective barrier; almost a moat if you like.

Location

The castle is in a forest on top of the Oderské Hill range 470 metres (1 542 feet) above the village of Podhoří, Olomouc². It’s a good 3.5 hour drive east of Prague to the village which isn’t served by the train network.

You can park close to the start of the 1-kilometre-long hiking trek. You will climb through thick vegetation and low-hanging branches, Indiana-Jones style. There is a signposted blue tourist trail, but it’s easy to miss a turning or two when you’re focusing on what to step on next. I found the trek to be exhilarating; the castle and the view from the hill top are both worth the hike.

References

1. Drahotuš castle; National Heritage Institute; (Retrieved 2019-11-11) [↩][↩][↩][↩][↩][↩]
2. Drahotuše castle; Infoglobe.cz; (Retrieved 2019-11-11) [↩][↩][↩][↩][↩][↩][↩]
3. Drahotuše – Historie a přítomnost; Václav Bednář et al; (Retrieved 2019-11-11) [↩][↩]
4. Drahotuš – mysterious castle near the foothills; Trkeing.cz; 2011-03-22[↩][↩][↩]

Remember: links were correct at time of publication.