Týřov Castle ruins
The torso of one of the oldest castles in Bohemia towers over the Berounka River’s right bank, and it’s less than three kilometres from the village of Skryje. Hidden in the Křivoklát forests, the ruin’s history dates back to the last Přemyslids, who were one of the most important ruling families.
Early in the 13th century, King Václav I (1205 – 1253) built Týřov Castle in the region known as the Přemyslovský Hvozd (Přemyslid Forest) on the site of a former hillfort. Together with Křivoklát, it ranks among the oldest castles in the Czech Republic. It was unusual in Bohemia, built like a French castle, i.e., a system of towers connected by inaccessible walls. When another fortification was built during the Hussite wars in the early 15th century, Týřov Castle became practically impregnable.
As time went by, the castle changed owners from the ranks of the higher and lower nobility, but from the beginning of the 16th century it began to decay and in 1575 it was listed as deserted for the first time. Therefore, when the surrounding estate was sold to the Wallensteins in 1685, only the castle ruins remained. To this day, the torsos of the towers, palace walls and ramparts of Týřov have survived.
The ruins are shrouded in many legends. The most famous one tells of a treasure guarded by twelve virgins cursed by water fish in the castle well. The story goes that the treasure can only be obtained by those who stay in the castle for a year without a break. Many men have tried to do so, but they didn’t last and were always found beheaded.
A visit to this place where history has literally walked is definitely worth it. But beware, the narrow path in the steep hill above the Berounka River, which leads to Týřov from the bridge under Skryje, requires caution and at least basic fitness. Furthermore, the ruins are located in a national nature reserve, where it’s forbidden to enter outside the marked trails.