Are the stone ruins the remains of a medieval castle or a prehistoric settlement?

Who made the inscription Kazín on the rock and why? Fans of history and beautiful nature will enjoy this forty-metre high rock raised directly above the Berounka River.

Enterprising Innkeeper

Historians attribute the remains of the stone building on the rock to a medieval castle called Bluk, which was first mentioned in writing in 1327. During later excavations, a number of period objects, such as swords, spurs, and pottery, were found among the outer walls of the limestone. Archaeologists have also discovered traces of settlement from the late Stone Age.

The name Kazín was attributed to this rock and castle ruins only in the modern era. They referred to a folk legend according to which Kazi, one of the daughters of the ancient Duke Krok, had her residence here.

This legend was then used imaginatively by a local innkeeper. He affixed the Kazín sign to the rock to attract tourists to the village and subtly increase his sales. Yeah, penny to penny…

The Romance of Rambler Settlements

If you head north of the rock, you will come across the original rambler settlement of Kazín. In the place of the former quarry, another settlement with the poetic name of the Valley of Stars follows it. 

You don’t see ramblers here often anymore, but some traditions are said to be followed by cottagers today. These include, for example, the famous foot volley tournaments on the local court. 

You don’t want to go back home? Then you can enjoy the views of the Berounka River on the trail leading directly to the rock massif. There used to be a hiking trail here, but it was closed for safety reasons. So watch your feet. It’s treacherously slippery! With a little care, the path is passable and opens up fantastic river valley views.

Enjoy your trip!