Zřícenina Hradu Edelštejn

Zlaté Hory, Czechia, Czech Republic (Czechia)

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Zřícenina hradu Edelštejn is the remains of a large medieval castle located near Zlaté Hory in the Jeseníky Mountains of the Czech Republic.

The castle was founded in the 13th century to protect nearby gold mines and an important trade route, making it both a military stronghold and an administrative center for the region’s gold-mining activities. Over time, Edelštejn became one of the most important and heavily fortified castles in Czech Silesia.

It was rebuilt and strengthened in the 15th century, but after conflicts involving the Kingdom of Bohemia and neighboring Silesian territories, the castle was captured and destroyed in 1467 and was never rebuilt. Today, only fragments of walls and fortifications remain, but the site is protected as a cultural monument and is considered one of the largest castle ruins in Czech Silesia.