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  3. Holštejn
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Holštejn, Blansko District, South Moravian Region

Prehistoric cave, ruin of the medieval castle of Holštejn and deserted settlement

(2900 BC–15th cent. AD)

Overall view of the Na Městečku site with the protruding rock known as Hladomorna Cave; view from the north.

Overall view of the Na Městečku site with the protruding rock known as Hladomorna Cave; view from the north.

Photo V. Kolomazníček, 2019.

This vast deserted settlement complex, consisting of the ruins of Holštejn Castle (Hohler Stein in German) shows the remains of a fortified area, a deserted settlement of the same name, clearly visible medieval roads and the remains of lime kilns. Nartman of Čeblovice had the castle built in 1278 and it was deserted in the 15th century. Interestingly, it was connected by a rock corridor to Hladomorna (“dungeon”) Cave, situated directly below it. Although the cave was used in prehistory, which is witnessed by finds from the Eneolithic (Corded Ware culture), it is mostly connected with the Middle Ages when it was used as a prison.

References: Černý 1979; Hasoň – Koudelka 2015; Hosák – Zemek a kol. 1981; Štětina 2016.

Navigation point: N 49°24'08.1", E 16°46'35.1" (below the rock wall and in front of Hladomorna Cave).

Overall view of the Na Městečku site with the protruding rock known as Hladomorna Cave; view from the north.
Overall view of the Na Městečku site with the protruding ...
Photo V. Kolomazníček, 2019.
View of the rock spur from the north-west with a high rock wall, which exceeds 30 metres; on the right is the western ditch carved into the stone.
View of the rock spur from the north-west with a high roc...
Photo V. Kolomazníček, 2019.
An artificially modified crevice below the west part of the castle core; on the left, there are the remains of the south-western castle corner, which is today the dominant feature (height of the ruin: 8.5 m).
An artificially modified crevice below the west part of t...
Photo V. Kolomazníček, 2019.
View of the castle ruin of Holštejn from the west; on the left there is the elevated core of the castle with the remains of the south-western corner; the area on the right was a small outer bailey, which with a drawbridge, served as an entrance to the castle.
View of the castle ruin of Holštejn from the west; on the...
Photo V. Kolomazníček, 2019.
Overall view of the centre of the castle with the entrance area; the south-western (on the left) and the south-eastern (on the right) castle corners are visible.
Overall view of the centre of the castle with the entranc...
Photo V. Kolomazníček, 2019.
Overall view from the south of the deserted settlement (Na Městečku site) from the former residential building of the castle.
Overall view from the south of the deserted settlement (N...
Photo V. Kolomazníček, 2019.
The exit of the alleged passage from Holštejn Castle to Hladomorna Cave.
The exit of the alleged passage from Holštejn Castle to H...
Photo V. Kolomazníček, 2019.

Map notes: Map symbols are available in the Downloads section.

Access map.
Edited by A. Gašpar, 2020.
Site plan.
After Štětina 2016.

Selected fulltext articles and reports for further reading. Complete bibliographical records are available in the Downloads section as the List of publications.