Zubštejn Castle ruin

The Zubštejn is a vast ruin of the castle, which stands on a ridge hill at an altitude of 682 meters above the village of Pivonice in Žďárska. This object belongs to the most powerful castle complexes in Moravia. Its history dates back to the 14th century and is today protected as a cultural monument.

The exact time of establishment is not known since the first written mention dates back to 1344. A long-term theory about the creation in the first half of the 13th century, based on a forged charter from 1214, was disproved. Current knowledge of the development of architecture and the absence of artifacts from the 13th century allow the establishment of a seat to date to the 1st third of the 14th century. The position on the dominant hill overlooking the red area suggests a close relationship to silver mining; the castle could serve as its administrative center.

The construction form underwent major modifications during the 14th and 15th centuries. The biggest expansion occurred in the 15th century, when fortification for artillery defence was improved. It's evidenced by a torso of massive walls and a deep moat. The layout is unusual and fully adapted to the terrain. Until today, parts of the entrance tower, the vaults of the central palace and the tanker have been preserved in the foothold.

The first written owner was in 1344 Atluš z Kamene from the House of Lords of Pernštejn. In the middle of the 14th century the castle was owned by more people, such as Blud from Kralic or Jimram z Jakubova. In 1358 it was purchased by Margrave Jan Jindřich and the residence became a land of geography. In 1377, Margrave Yošt awarded it to Jan from Křižanov, but in 1390 it was taken from him again. During the Hussite wars, the object was probably damaged because in 1437 it was listed as a castle. In 1432, Albrecht of Austria took it away from the Pernstejns and handed it over to Jan of Lomnice, but already in 1440 it returned to the hands of the original owners. William of Pernštejn had the fort fortified and armed properly. However, after 1522 the maintenance ceased and in 1547 the site is mentioned as a deserted castle.

There's a legend attached to the castle about the Zanau Coal that was to build the building, and his son, the Ring, who was to create Pernštejn. The name Zubštejn refers to the coat of arms of the tooth heads of the genus Pernštejn, while the original name Lapis or Stone was based on the German term for stone. In close proximity to the ruins there is a monument from 1955 which contains dirt from important places such as Vitkov, Lidice and Banská Bystrica.

The ruin is currently freely accessible and offers views of the surrounding landscape of Svratecká Hornatina. Thanks to the 2010 project, an access bridge is built between the bridge and the castle core and a railing is installed. Visitors can use the fireplace or space in the main palace rooms for overnight stay.

Zubštejn is an important piece of medieval architecture, which, despite its wasteland, speaks of the strategic importance of the then Moravian border. Visiting this vast complex offers a unique opportunity to know the history of ore management and the development of fortification in the natural environment.