Sovinec Castle

Sovinec was founded in the fourteenth century on a rock ridge in the forested Nizky Jesenik and grew into one of the largest fortified complexes in Moravia - a medieval core with a keep, wrapped in successive rings of wall, bastions and gates added through the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries as artillery developed, so the approach passes through a long sequence of defences before reaching the courtyard. It was besieged and taken by the Swedes in 1643 after a long resistance. The Teutonic Order held it and ran a school here. It burned in 1945 and reconstruction has been running since the 1970s, with some parts restored and others still shells. There is an exhibition, a keep with a view over the forest, and a heavy summer programme of markets, falconry and historical events, which is how the castle funds its restoration.

What you actually see

• Rings of successive defences - the approach through gates and bastions to the core.
• A medieval keep - climbable, over the forested Nizky Jesenik.
• Partial reconstruction - restored sections beside unroofed shells since the 1970s.
• A summer events programme - markets and falconry funding the work.

When to go

April to October. Half a day.

Honest expectations

Much remains unrestored and closed. Seasonal opening only. The village is small and remote with poor public transport. Event weekends change the ticketing and fill the parking.

Nearby

Bruntal is north; Resov waterfalls are west.