Sloup Castle is a small castle in the village of the same name in Czechia. Its unique feature is its location: it is situated inside of a freestanding sandstone rock. The rock castle standing on gives the castle its name because sloup means ‘column’ in Czech. The castle was first mentioned in the first half of the 14th century. It is thought that the castle served as a defensive fortress in the past. It sits atop a sandstone rock formation, providing it with a strategic advantage.
Sloup Castle takes its name from the special appearance of the freestanding 35-metre high sandstone rocks, into which it was carved in the 14th century
Throughout its history, Sloup Castle changed ownership many times. From the late 17th century till the late 18th century, the rock was inhabited by hermits. Over the centuries, the castle underwent various modifications and reconstructions, reflecting different architectural styles. One notable feature of Sloup Castle is its network of sandstone caves, which were used for various purposes, including storage, shelter, and even as a chapel. These caves add to the castle’s historical and architectural significance. The interior of the castle does not contain any works of art. Due to the centuries of decay, a more appropriate term for the site might be ruins.
One of the most intriguing aspects of the castle is its intricate network of sandstone caves, intricately carved into the rocky terrain
The rock is approx. 100 m (328 ft) long and approx. 60 m (197 ft) wide. Its height is approx. 35 m (114 ft) above ground level and there is a platform on the top. The surface of the rock was carved in an attempt to make it resemble walls of a traditional castle. The top platform is open to the public and features a small church, or rather what’s left of it.
