The forests of the Lusatian Mountains are home to many witnesses to the pride of noble families, many proofs that human glory is merely a fleeting thing. The romantic ruins of castles, even if oftentimes betrayed only by their ancient, overgrown ramparts, attract and captivate. Tolštejn, Sloup v Čechách, Kamenický hrad, or Lipý still boast massive walls that have been preserved to this day. Svojkov, Fredevald, and Milštejn attract tourists by their location in the landscape and their mysterious history. The original Gothic guard castles Grabštejn and Lemberk, later converted into comfortable Renaissance and Baroque castles respectively, also count among the eye-pleasing pearls in the vast sea of Lusatian forests.
The seats of the local masters
Guard castles grew like mushrooms after rain along the old trade route from Prague to Zittau. Some became charming castles, others turned into romantic ruins.
