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Just thoughts of a restless mind...

A trip to "Hrad Kost"

Hrad Kost is the local (Czech) name of the Kost Castle, one of the best preserved medieval castles and one of the major tourist attractions in Czechia. As the rest of the world, Czechia is in lockdown at the moment, so the castle is not open for visits.

Despite the lockdown, the area around the caste is wonderful. Especially this time of the year with the snow in the valley around, and the unbelievably beautiful Údolí Plakánek. One weekend in January I took the opportunity of a sunny day to visit and walk for 18 km around the castle.

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Humprecht, on the way to Kost
Humprecht, on the way to Kost
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There is a parking close to the castle, if you prefer to drive there
There is a parking close to the castle, if you prefer to drive there
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I will always be amazed by the height of these trees, with practically no roots
I will always be amazed by the height of these trees, with practically no roots
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I will always be amazed by the height of these trees, with practically no roots
I will always be amazed by the height of these trees, with practically no roots
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I will always be amazed by the height of these trees, with practically no roots
I will always be amazed by the height of these trees, with practically no roots
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A great view of the valley
A great view of the valley
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The castle from a different angle
The castle from a different angle
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There are some interesting small houses by the side of the castle
There are some interesting small houses by the side of the castle
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There are some interesting small houses by the side of the castle
There are some interesting small houses by the side of the castle
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This female snow-woman reminds me of a mermaid - although obviously she would not be in the mountains
This female snow-woman reminds me of a mermaid - although obviously she would not be in the mountains
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Many little wooden dolls observe the people passing by. I wonder if they gossip
Many little wooden dolls observe the people passing by. I wonder if they gossip
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That is me and my wonderful, patient partner
That is me and my wonderful, patient partner
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Another view of the castle, this time with a frozen lake
Another view of the castle, this time with a frozen lake

I definitely plan to visit again in spring, to see the valey and the area without the snow and take more interesting pictures. Hopefully one day I will visit the castle itself too, when it open again for turists.