Darebnice Castle

Darebnice is a prehistoric fortified settlement and a ruined castle situated in the Pardubice Region, on the border of Chocne and Běstovice villages, overlooking the Tichá Orlice river and its tributary. Established in the Bronze Age, it was inhabited by the Lužice culture. The fortification was abandoned naturally during the Late Bronze Age, but its remains were reused and rebuilt by the Slezsko-Platěnická culture in the Early Iron Age. The site was later used during the Hillfort period, but the fortification was not modified.

The fortification covered an area of approximately 1.7 hectares, with a 7-meter-wide ditch at the top and a 6-meter-wide ditch at the bottom, and a height of 1.4 meters. The original entrance was located in the northeast corner. Initially, the fortification consisted of a ditch, a rampart, and a wooden wall, with gravel filling the space between the walls. The Slezsko-Platěnická culture later modified the fortification by reusing the existing ditch and building a new wooden wall with a palisade.

During archaeological research conducted by Slavomil Vencl between 1965 and 1969, the site was mistakenly identified as Hlavačov. Excavations uncovered a range of artifacts, including prehistoric and early medieval ceramics, iron weapons, and medieval ceramics. These findings suggest that a medieval castle may have been built on the site during the High Middle Ages, although this is not mentioned in written records.

Today, the site is protected as a cultural monument, and its remains serve as a testament to the region's rich prehistoric and medieval history. Visitors can explore the site and learn about its significance in the context of the Lužice culture and the Slezsko-Platěnická culture. The site's unique history and architecture make it an important stop for those interested in the region's history and cultural heritage.