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Day Trip to the Surroundings – Starý Světlov

Stručná odpověď

Starý Světlov Castle ruins, located near the village of Podhradí in the Vizovice Highlands, date back to the 13th century (first mentioned in 1275). The castle changed ownership repeatedly, survived raids during Czech-Hungarian wars, and was eventually abandoned after a new castle was built in Bojkovice. It has been a protected cultural monument since 1964.



You can spend a pleasant day on a trip to the nearby ruins of Starý Světlov Castle. The remains of this dwelling are located about a kilometre from the surrounding village of Podhradí. It lies in the Vizovice Highlands and has been protected as a cultural monument since 1964. During your journey, you can stop in the village at the Sulphur Spring, popularly known as Sirčena.

History of the Castle

The establishment of this strategically important castle with views over the valley towards Luhačovice dates back to around the 13th century. The earliest mention of the castle dates from 1275. Around 1360, the castle was owned by the Lords of Šternberk. The residence changed hands many times over the years. Around 1426, the fearsome robber knight Hungarian Count Pankrác of Liptovský Svatý Mikuláš even served as burgrave here. The knight and his group robbed throughout the region and threatened the lives of inhabitants of surrounding villages.

During the Czech-Hungarian wars, the castle faced several devastating raids. During these wars, both the castle itself and surrounding villages were severely damaged. The brothers of Landštejn decided to build a new castle of the same name in nearby Bojkovice. The town was elevated to city status and thus became an important economic centre. This act officially marked the transition from Starý Světlov to the newly built castle. Around the 16th century, the castle began to fall into ruin.

Description

The castle ruins lie on the ridges of the Vizovice Hills near the village of Podhradí close to Luhačovice, in the vicinity of Bába Hill. The slopes around the castle were not particularly steep, but the builders also secured the castle with a substantial moat 15 metres wide. Today it is still 5 metres deep. The castle consisted of an oval castle core, an underground palace, an angled curtain wall and bailey buildings. Entry to the castle was guarded by a tower gate, accessed across a massive moat with rampart.

Starý Světlov Castle is one of the largest sites of its kind in Moravia by area. Several archaeological surveys have been conducted here. Remains of the underground palace have been uncovered, a fragment of a stone projectile from a cannon has been found, along with iron fittings and parts of a peasant’s cart. The existence of wooden dwellings with walls made of clay daub has been proven here. Archaeologists have also attempted to find underground passages that the aforementioned robber knight allegedly left behind. This assumption was not confirmed.

From the originally quite extensive castle, only small remnants of masonry structures are preserved. The terrain features are much better preserved. The perimeter walls of the castle palace are still visible today.

Points of Interest

The origin of the name Starý Světlov Castle is unknown. According to one theory, the castle received this name from signal fires shining in the darkness during Hungarian raids to warn of approaching enemies. Another theory suggests that the name originated from the white lime render of the bailey wall and possibly the entire castle fortification. An interesting point for mystery enthusiasts might be the legend of treasure at Starý Světlov. Many inhabitants from the villages of Pozlovice and Podhradí set out to search for this treasure, and accounts of their searches have been preserved.

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