Old Světlov - ruins

Podhradí, Czechia, Czech Republic (Czechia)

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Old Světlov (Starý Světlov) is a ruined Gothic castle located in the municipality of Podhradí in the Zlín Region of the Czech Republic (Czechia), situated 10 kilometers southwest of Vizovice in the Vizovické vrchovina hills.

The castle was likely founded in the first half of the 14th century (before 1360) as an important seat of one of the family branches of the Šternberk noble family. It already served as an important military and strategic center in the 15th century, but its existence was short-lived because in the late 15th century a massive landslide of the mountain slope next to the castle struck the castle residents with a horrifying experience, after which the castle was abandoned.

From the second half of the 18th century, the castle's masonry was dismantled for building material, so from the originally extensive and splendid castle only impressive terrain formations and remains of brick constructions concentrated in the castle courtyard area have survived. The castle ruins, hidden deep in the forests, became a frequent target of vandalism, and weather conditions also contributed to long-term damage.