Šternek Castle
The ruin of castle Šternek is located near Bílčic near Dvorce in district Bruntál, high above the valley of Moravice. The castle was included in the Central List of Cultural Monuments of the Czech Republic and its location guarded important communication and ford across the river.
The founder of the castle was according to the name of the House of Sternberk, the leading Moravian noble family. We assume the castle was built a year ago. Its primary purpose was to control both the path and the ford, while at the same time delineating against the bishops, especially against the castle Medlice, which stood behind the river. However, this strategic sense gradually faded, as the Sternbergs eventually gained the bishop's own hold, so the castle became useless. In this way, he lost his original military and political importance.
In 1397, a reference to the village of Sternek appeared in the papers, but the castle was probably already in ruins at the time - the event can be combined with the Margrave Wars that were at war on Moravian territory. In the following year 1403, the castle fell like the plains of the Olomouc Bishop. Peter from Kravař obtained this law later, but he did not inhabit it. In 1410 Petr castle and the village moved forward to the city of Dvorce. The castle may still have served in the early 15th century, but its complete demise was probably related to Hussite wars or Czech-Hungarian wars that had torn the region. As of 1561, the castle in the springs is listed as desolate and abandoned. Later there was no talk of him or the village.
Almost nothing was preserved from the original building today. The castle was protected by a core lined with a 10-metre moat, which was partially chopped into a living rock and is now very shallow. The course of the trench was strengthened by a valley which guarded the castle especially from the north. There are scattered pieces of stone at the site of the original walls. The small front was approximately 15 times 17 metres, while the castle core itself was about 40 metres in length and 15 to 25 metres in width. This is probably where the palace building was located. The historical state of Šternek was not preserved mainly because it was dismantled in the 1970s to build the Olomouc-Opava road. Part of the rock ground under the castle was sold as part of this building.
Today, the visitor will find a landscape with insignificant archaeological traces - a ripple of terrain, fragments of waves and moats, which create a relatively modest witness to the medieval past of this place. Yet it is a site with authentic history and its visit offers a quiet encounter with the fate of one of many Moravian castles, which has gradually erased time and human activity.
Then and now
Drag the slider to compare how the landmark may have looked when it was built with the view today.
The historical appearance on the left is an AI-generated visualisation and serves as inspiration only.
Historical milestones
- 1397
- The village of Sternek mentioned.
- 1561
- The castle is listed as desolate.
Architectural development
The castle was probably built a year ago and its core was protected by moat and walls. He had a small front, and there was maybe a palace on it. The castle lost its meaning when the holders of the sternberk spread beyond the river Moravice.
Historical events
- 1397
- The village of Sternek mentioned.
- 1403
- The castle fell to the Olomouc Bishop like a firecracker.
- 1410
- Peter from Kravař moved the castle to the city of Dvorce.
Owners
It is assumed that the Sternberks were the founder of the castle. In 1397, the village of Sternek was mentioned, and the castle could have been in ruins as a result of margrave wars. In 1403, the castle belonged to the Olomouc bishop as a fief acquired by Peter from Kravař. In 1410, he transferred it to the city of Dvorce.
Points of interest
- The ruin of castle Šternek lies near Bílčice near Dvorce and guarded important communication and ford across the river. - The castle was founded by the family of Sternberk, the leading Moravian noble family, probably a year ago. - In 1397, a reference to the village of Sternek appeared in the papers, but the castle was probably already in ruins. - In 1410 Peter of Kravař moved the castle to the city of Dvorce, but later became abandoned and desolate. - Almost nothing was preserved from the original building today because it was dismantled in the 1970s to build the Olomouc-Opava road.
Guide
This guide is narrated by a synthetic voice generated by artificial intelligence.
Show guide text
This text was created by artificial intelligence and has not been editorially reviewed. It may contain inaccuracies.
Šternek is a castle ruin near Bílčice, not far from the town of Dvorce in the Bruntál district. The castle stood above the Moravice river valley and is registered in the Central List of Cultural Monuments of the Czech Republic.
Based on its name alone, you can conclude that the castle was founded by the Šternberg family. It was probably built sometime before 1308. It was meant to control the passage and ford across the river and at the same time to assert itself against the bishop's estates on the other side, which included Medlice castle. However, the Šternbergs soon acquired these domains as well, and Šternek thus lost its importance.
In 1397, the village of Sternek is mentioned. The castle was probably in ruins by then, possibly as a result of the margrave wars. In 1403, it became a fief of the Olomouc bishopric. The fief was acquired by Petr z Kravař, but he did not use the castle and in 1410 he apparently handed it over, together with the village, to the town of Dvorce. The castle could still have been in use at the beginning of the 15th century. Its decline is associated with the Hussite wars, or possibly with the Czech-Hungarian wars. By 1561, it was already written about as being desolate. Later, neither the castle nor the village are mentioned again.
Almost nothing of the castle has survived, practically just the place where it stood. The castle core was protected from the northwest to the northeast corner by a moat ten meters wide, partly cut into the rock. Today it is quite shallow. Beyond the moat was an earthen rampart that protected the castle from the north as well. In places where the walls once were, you can find scattered stones.
The castle had a small outer ward measuring roughly 15 by 17 meters. The core itself measured about 40 meters in length and 15 to 25 meters in width. A palace probably stood somewhere on it.
Why has so little survived? The castle was probably dismantled in the 1770s and its stone was used for building the road from Olomouc to Opava. It seems that part of the rock under the castle was also quarried at that time.
Tips for visitors
The best time to visit Šternek is in the spring or autumn season when there are mild temperatures and nature offers beautiful colors. This time of year also allows photography without extreme sunlight or rain.
We recommend the use of a car or public transport; You can verify the current connection using the search engine.
When visiting the ruins, it is advisable to take with you shoes suitable for walking on uneven terrain, protective sunglasses and plenty of drinking water. Remember also a piece of fresh clothes because the conditions can be quickly variable.
For shooting ruins Šternek is the best place on the south side where it is possible to capture a general view of the remains of the castle. The best light offers morning and evening hours, when the sun illuminates the ruin in a mild light.
In the surroundings of Šternek you can visit Bílčice, a small village with a historical touch. Here you can explore local markets or relax in the natural environment. It is advisable for families with children to plan short walks along nearby paths where children can play and discover nature.
Frequently asked questions
Can the monument be visited?
This is a ruin. Such sites are often freely accessible, but some can only be visited with a guide or are closed for safety reasons. We have not verified the current situation – take care and respect any restrictions.
Where is the monument?
Location: Bílčice, Moravskoslezský kraj. The map on this page shows the exact spot.
Why is the monument protected?
It is listed in the Central List of Cultural Monuments of the Czech Republic as a cultural monument (register no. 21423/8-42).
For kids
Imagine going back to a time when Czech countries were full of heroes and fairy-tale kings. And now we are going to one of the most interesting monuments in our country - castle Šternek.
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Nearby
Ambient landscape, other sights, natural elements up to 5 km
Accommodation nearby
Themed route
Thematic cruise route from Bílčice to ruins Šternek
1. Starting point: municipality Bílčice - Type: City station and center - Why is it worth a visit: Start your trip in the center of Bílčice where you can get oppressed by the history of the village. The centre offers beautiful alleys and comfortable facilities for an initial break.
2. Main objective: ruins Šternek - Type: Historical castle - Why is it worth visiting: Ruins Šternek is one of the most characteristic monuments in the area. It is a place full of history and legends where you can enjoy the view of the vast forests and hills of Moravian-Silesia.
3. Ambient nature: forests around Šternek - Type: Forest walks - Why is it worth a visit: After exploring the ruins you can enjoy a quiet walk in the surrounding woods. These are ideal places to relax and observe wild flora and fauna.
4. Return to Bílčice - Type: Local restaurant - Why is it worth a visit: After the trip you can return to the centre of Bílčice, where you can spend time at local gastronomic facilities. Here you can enjoy traditional meals and drinks from the region.
This route offers a combination of history, nature and culinary exploration of Bílčice and surroundings.
Seasonal recommendations
Spring: During the spring season, Šternek in Bílčice is transformed into a charming refuge, where the new green and flowering shrubs add warm colors to the atmosphere. Sun rays penetrate through the leaf crown of trees, creating beautiful patterns of light on the wall of the ruins. This time of year is ideal for quiet walks because the crowds are not too much and nature wakes up from its winter sleep. It is recommended to visit at noon when the sun lights up the ruins most beautifully. Put on suitable clothes for a mild temperature and do not miss old shoes for a possible moist surface.
Summer: Summer brings Šternek in Bílčice into the golden light when the atmosphere is full of heat and sunlight. This time of year may be ideal for long tours, but early arrival at the ruins is recommended for possible crowds. The sunlight illuminates every stone and creates vivid colors that can be fascinating in the photograph. Make sure you have a protective umbrella and plenty of drinking water. Clothes should be light and light to help you handle the warm summer atmosphere.
Autumn: In the autumn season, the leaves in Bílčice are intensively yellow and orange shades, adding a beautiful colour to the ruins. Sunshine is warm and softer compared to sunny summer day, which creates a romantic atmosphere. This time of year is ideal for quiet walks without too many crowds. It is recommended to visit at the beginning of the day or evening when the temperature is lighter and the leaves are in full bloom. Put on layered clothes so you can adapt to a quick temperature change.
Winter: Winter visit to Sternkov in Bílčice offers a unique view of the ruin under the cover of snow, when the atmosphere is calm and quiet. Sun rays reflecting from ice can create unforgettable light effects on the wall. Hot clothes are essential, including hats and gloves to protect yourself from cold air. If you are planning a visit during the freezing days, we recommend that you bring shoes with you with durable soles to ensure safety in light snow.
Visualizations and artistic views
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Sources and literature
Faktickým podkladem tohoto textu byl článek na Wikipedii, jehož autory jsou přispěvatelé Wikipedie. Článek je dostupný pod licencí CC BY-SA 4.0.
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