Vrškamýk Castle Ruins
Vrškamýk is the ruin of a Přemyslid royal castle near the Vltava River.
It was a former royal castle built during the reign of the most powerful Přemyslid kings. The construction, started by King Wenceslas I, was completed by his son, Přemysl Otakar II. Under his rule, the castle served as the administrative center of the region on the left bank of the Vltava and was home to a royal official.
The castle was last inhabited during the reign of Charles IV. After the grander Karlštejn Castle was built, the estate was reassigned, and Vrškamýk was abandoned.
According to legend, a cruel knight named Hunec treated his subjects harshly. One day, while riding through the forest, he was killed—and his spirit is said to still roam the land.
Time has left only parts of the perimeter walls standing. Thanks to the project Kamýk nad Vltavou – A Journey to the Middle Ages, visitors can step back in time. Informational panels guide you through the castle’s history, and a scenic lookout tower—accessible by a path from the ruins—offers views of the surrounding area.
