Nový hrad

Nový hrad is a castle ruin situated near the village of Lužná in the Czech Republic. It was constructed by medieval inhabitants of the region, likely under the direction of Moravian margraves or the bishopric of Olomouc, serving initially as a fortress to protect the nearby town of Šumperk.

The first known written mention of Nový hrad dates back to 1374, referencing Jan Václav of Mladějov as the castellan and listing the Lords of Lipá as owners. During this early period, the castle held control over nearby villages including Kopřivná, Lužná, and Osikov, indicating its role in local administration and defense.

From 1420 to 1437, Nový hrad belonged to King Sigismund, who used the stronghold as a military base for his forces during the Hussite Wars, a series of conflicts rooted in religious and political upheaval in Bohemia. Following this period, the castle changed hands several times. Notable owners included Beneš of Waldstein and Bernard of Cimburk, with the latter undertaking significant expansions to strengthen the fortress.

In 1455, ownership passed to Jan Tunkl of Brníčko and his descendants. However, around 1470, during the Bohemian-Hungarian wars, forces led by Matthias Corvinus captured and destroyed Nový hrad. The damage was so extensive that the castle was never rebuilt and is recorded as deserted as early as 1504.

Declared a cultural monument of the Czech Republic in 1964, the site remains privately owned today. Due to concerns about safety, it is currently not accessible to the public.