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