Helfštýn Castle sunset, Czech Republic

A resilient ruin

Although called a ruin, from some vantage points it looks as if Helfštýn Castle is an impenetrable block of carved stone. Origins of a stronghold atop this Central Moravia hill date back to the late 13th century, and the castle grew massive during its Gothic-style renovation roughly a century later. The walls of Helfštýn stood strong against many ferocious attacks, even during the 17th century's cataclysmic Thirty Years' War. Things have since calmed down considerably, and now the castle—looking great after conservation begun in 1911—hosts visitors, and a world-renowned gathering of master blacksmiths known as Hefaiston.