Jenštejn – hrad – zřícenina

Standing here, in front of the Jenštejn – hrad – zřícenina, it is easy to imagine the stories that these walls have witnessed. Jenštejn Castle, with its towering, 22-meter-high round tower, was once a symbol of power and prestige. Built in the 14th century by Jenc of Janovice, the castle quickly became a center of activity in this part of Bohemia. This aristocratic family, who took their name from the castle itself, rose to prominence under Jan of Jenštejn, the third Archbishop of Prague. Under his leadership, the castle underwent extensive reconstruction, transforming it into a grand symbol of his power and position. During Jan’s reign, he also added a chapel to the tower, which still remains, a testament to his deep faith. However, Jan’s tenure was not without its conflicts. The castle eventually changed hands, falling to various noble families and even to King Wenceslaus IV, who confiscated it in 1390. History repeats itself, as they say, the Jenštejn Castle passed through the hands of numerous owners throughout the centuries after Jan’s fall from grace. The castle’s fate was further sealed by fire in 1640, when the Swedish army, during the Thirty Years’ War, reduced the castle to ruins. Over the next century, it was abandoned and eventually settled by poor families, who used the crumbling castle as a home. Today, Jenštejn stands as a reminder of those turbulent times. Only the tower remains, a silent sentinel over the surrounding fields, its stone bearing the weight of centuries of stories.