Settlements

This is not a 'town' in the true sense of the word, but a complex system of sandstone rock formations near the Trosky castle and the village of Troskowitz.

Many paths wind through the rocks with caves underneath them that historically provided refuge for outcasts and exiles, as well as villagers seeking shelter from approaching armies.

Due to severe erosion of the weathered sandstone, public access has been completely restricted and the site has become a protected nature reserve. Visitors can, however, visit other very similar rock towns that are peppered throughout the so called Bohemian Paradise.

The castle was likely built at the end of the 13th century on a promontory overlooking Nebak pond, surrounded on all sides by steep cliffs and water. To construct the fortress, the rock beneath it had to be manually hewn away and levelled, which was a relatively complex process for its time, given it was a small noble castle of little significance.

The village is first documented in sources from the year 1339, when it was held by Heřman of Semine. Settlement in the vicinity of the village, however, is known as early as the mid-1st millennium BC, as evidenced by the findings of old burial sites and the remains of ramparts from an old Celtic oppidum.

In 1379, Mikuláš Tatka of Semine ruled over the Semine fortress, and became the patron of the local church. Other owners included Jan Sirotek of Semine together with Anna of Slatinek, and later her son, Jan of Slatinek. After the Hussite Wars, the Hanykéř family became the owners of the fortress, though it is quite possible that by that time, the fortress had already been plundered and was empty, as a result of the wars.

Today there are only a few houses of a farmstead on the site, along with a newly built replica of the fortress, serving as an exhibition hall and gallery. To this day, there are still remnants of massive ramparts in the area. The Lower Semine mill, built in the first half of the 16th century, has also been preserved.

A small village 1.5 km north of Troskowitz, first mentioned in sources in 1388. A nameless stream flows through it, emptying into the Krčák pond, forming cascades along the way and a waterfall about 10 metres high.

The first mention is found in 1388 in connection with the nearby castle, but the village probably existed long before that. The village got its name from the rock on which the castle was later built, as the rock resembled the ruins of a castle from a distance.

Trosky Castle was built around 1380 by Čeněk of Vartenberk between two basalt rock formations of a long-extinct volcano. The castle derived its name from the shape of the rock, which resembled the ruins of a collapsed castle.

After Čeněk's death, the castle passed to King Wenceslas IV, from whom it was acquired by Otto III von Bergow, who is listed as the owner since 1399.

Structurally, the castle consists of two landmarks still standing today: the Crone tower, and the Maiden tower. Between them lies an elongated castle core with two palaces, transitioning into a fortified outer bailey on the northern side. The entire castle is rugged and complex, traversing it requires covering a long distance with elevation changes.

Neither of the entrance gates were protected by a moat - it was not necessary, given the other defenses. The gate leads to the eastern part, where the three-story residential palace once stood. On the western side there was a second palace primarily built of wood. On its ground floor was a forge, which was in use until the 17th century.

Today the castle is accessible from spring to autumn and is one of the most visited ruins in Bohemia. The ramparts and the gate have been restored and the lower tower has a viewing platform open to the public with a far-reaching view of the entire Bohemian Paradise region.

There are only a few mentions of Zhelejov. Notably, in 1558, the three sons of Lord Semine sold the fortress and the village to the 'Skalské panství'. The fortress was abandoned during the wars with the Swedes.