Schauenstein Castle (Šaunštejn, Czech Republic)

The Šaunštejn rock castle, also known as Schauenstein, is located in Bohemian Switzerland near the village of Vysoká Lípa. The complex was built in the 14th century as a protection and control point on the Old Bohemian Road, an important trade route between Bohemia and Lusatia.

In the 15th century, the castle was besieged several times and eventually destroyed. What remains of the original fortress today are the rooms carved into the sandstone, the cistern and the foundations.

The ruins can only be accessed on foot via marked hiking trails. The ascent leads through narrow crevices and up ladders. From the summit plateau, there is a beautiful view over Bohemian Switzerland all the way to Saxon Switzerland. On a clear day, you can also see the Rosenberg and Hohe Schneeberg mountains.