Hartenštejn Castle Ruin

Hartenštejn Castle Ruin stands on Zámecký vrch above Bochov and is one of the most interesting castle ruins in the Karlovy Vary area. It was founded before 1473 by Henry II of Plauen as a replacement for the older Hungerberg, destroyed during military events in the second half of the 15th century. The new seat was not only a residential castle, but above all a carefully planned strongpoint for the Bochov estate.

Hartenštejn is especially valuable as an example of late-Gothic fortification architecture. Its layout combines active artillery defence, battery towers and a controlled access route in a remarkably sophisticated way. In the terrain you can still read the remains of walls, the ditch, battery towers and a well that was cleaned to considerable depth during restoration. The castle was already described as deserted in the 16th century and later became a source of building stone for Bochov. Since the early 21st century, the site has been gradually restored and conserved.

What You'll See

The most striking part of the site is the reconstructed Karlovy Vary Tower, now used as a lookout tower. From the gallery there are views of Bochov, the Doupov Mountains, the Ore Mountains and, in good visibility, farther across western Bohemia. The castle grounds make a quiet short trip from Bochov and a good stop on the route between Karlovy Vary, Bochov and the Žlutice area. Information panels on site and the surviving fortifications give a clear sense of how complex the 15th-century defensive system once was.

Practical Information

The castle grounds are accessible year-round. The Karlovy Vary Tower is open from April to October; keys can be borrowed against a deposit from the Bochov information centre or from Restaurant Radniční sklípek during their opening hours. Tower admission is 30 CZK per person. The walk from Bochov is short but climbs uphill, so sturdy shoes are useful.

Contacts and How to Get There

• Web: mesto-bochov.cz
• Address: Zámecký vrch near Bochov, 364 71 Bochov
• GPS: 50.141468, 13.036471
• Bochov town phone: +420 353 670 121
• E-mail: podatelna@mesto-bochov.cz