The castle is linked to the younger Točník Castle by a short hiking trail, forming a two-castle complex.
King Wenceslaus IV died at the castle in 1419, though the location of his passing is sometimes debated between the two neighboring fortresses.
The castle was damaged during the Hussite Wars in 1425 when it was besieged by Prague Hussite troops.
Archaeological excavations have uncovered significant medieval stove tiles and pottery fragments on the premises.
The site features a preserved moat that once provided defensive separation from the surrounding ridge.
Žebrák Castle is a 13th-century Gothic fortification situated on a rocky spur above the Střela stream. It represents one of the oldest aristocratic castles in Bohemia, originally founded by the Zmrzlík of Svojšín family. King Wenceslaus IV later expanded the site, frequently using it as his royal residence. Following a devastating fire in 1449, the castle was largely abandoned in favor of the adjacent, higher-standing Točník Castle. Today, the ruins primarily consist of the dominant cylindrical tower, known as the bergfried, and remnants of the perimeter walls. It currently functions as an open-air archaeological site managed under the administration of the Czech National Heritage Institute. The site remains a protected cultural monument of the Czech Republic. Access is managed primarily through the nearby Točník Castle complex.
The viewpoint from the hiking path leading up from Točník, which captures the silhouette of the tower against the forest backdrop.
Wear sturdy, closed-toe footwear as the terrain within the ruins consists of uneven stone and gravel.
Combine your visit with the neighboring Točník Castle, as they are often managed under a single ticketing system.
Check weather conditions beforehand, as the ruins have no indoor shelter for visitors.
Attempting to climb the unstable stone walls or bypassing safety barriers set up for structural conservation.
Closed during the winter season; generally open from spring through late autumn.
