Castles
BEZDĚZ STATE CASTLE
Bezděz gothic castle is a national cultural monument. It was funded by Přemysl Otakar II during the years 1260 to 1278.
It was used as a royal castle until the end of the 16th century. From the first half of the 17th century a Benedictine monastery was established at the castle. With its small statue of the Virgin Mary from Montserrat, the so-called ‘Back Madonna’, Bezděz remained a popular destination for pilgrims until 1785. After the monastery was closed by Josef II in 1785 the castle was left to decay. Kristián z Valdštejna (Kristián from Valdštejn) then began its restoration in the 1840s. Today there is a beautiful view from the 30m tall Velká hradní věž (Big Castle Tower) and a chapel regarded as an architectural treasure of the early gothic period in Central Europe – making the castle a significant feature of Mácha’s region.
During the summer months there are many cultural programmes organised at the castle such as concerts, fencing tournaments, hawking shows, exhibitions in the palace and the traditional night climbing of Bezděz Hill (which takes place at the end of May).
CASTLE HOUSKA
According to evidence from the most recent archaeological examinations, the castle was founded between 1270 and 1280 by Bohemian emperor Přemyslem Otakarem II on a high rock promontory. Originally it was an impregnable gothic fortress, which was reconstructed many times in many architectural styles. In 1590 it was rebuilt in the style of a renaissance castle and today it is a remarkable treasure of the region. In the original gothic chapel it is still possible to admire paintings from the 13th and 14th centuries, which are considered to be a unique record of Central European history.
The frescos in the castle chapel and a gothic ‘zelený pokoj’ (Green Room) with a canopy ceiling are worth seeing. The castle was made publicly accessible again in 1999 and is today easily accessible via the tourist and cycling routes, which are well marked in the surrounding areas.
Night visits to this mysterious castle are major event. In the summer months it is possible to enjoy concerts and fairs here with an accompanying cultural programme.
KOKOŘÍN
The castle was built in 1320 by Hynek Berka z Dubé (Hynek Berka from Dubá), and was occupied until the first half of the 16th century, after which it was left and the castle building deteriorated.
In the 19th century the ruin became the centre of attention for a group of Romantics. The most significant were the poet Karel Hynek Mácha and painters Antonín Mánes and Josef Navrátil.
Before the castle was entirely destroyed, Václav Špaček, a merchant who had been ennobled into the aristocracy, saved the castle after buying it in 1894. The ruin was reconstructed in the romantic style under the professional supervision of Z. Winter and A. Sedláček.
The area of Kokořín was made famous by K. H. Mácha in his poem ‘Cikáni’ (The Gypsies). Near the castle (about 2km distant) are found sandstone formations known as ‘Pokličky’ (Little Lids), and Hradsko–slovanské sídliště (The settlement of Hradsko–slovansko) where there was a battle in 805 in which the Francs were defeated.
JESTŘEBÍ CASTLE RUIN
The castle ruin stands on a dominant sandstone formation to create a significant landmark. The castle was founded in the second half of the 13th century and was abandoned in the 16th century. From the accessible part of the castle there is a fantastic view over the surrounding area of Mácha’s region and the two Bezděz Hills to the south, while Novozámecký Rybník (Novozámecký Lake) - National Nature Reserve lies to the north. This reserve is a wetland of significant European importance.
STARÝ BERŠTEJN (OLD BERŠTEJN)
The ruin near the little town of Vrchovany near Dubá, situated on a conical basalt hill, is of a relatively modern castle by the standards of Mácha’s region. The castle was founded after 1427 by Jindřich Hlaváč z Dubé (Jindřich Hlaváč from Dubá), apparently only because until then there had been no castle on his estate.The castle served its purpose for just over a hundred years, as in 1547 its then owner, Adam Berka z Dubé (Adam Berka from Dubá), decided to build a comfortable castle near Dubá – today known as Nový Berštejn (New Berštejn). It is recommended to admire the castle and surroundings from horseback as the riding-hall for tourists is situated directly under the castle.
ZAKŠÍN
The castle, also called Pustý zámek (Empty Castle), is one of the most significant examples of walled settlements built on sandstone. It was founded on the site of a former hill fort from about 1400 during the reign of Václav Berka z Dubé (Václav Berka from Dubá). By around 1450 it had already been left empty. It used to stand on three sandstone blocks, with the gaps between them used as ditches. The most interesting is the second block, hewn in crossways, that was linked to the drawbridge. Some of the rooms are set deep into the rock.
Its ruins are hidden on a narrow rocky ridge in a forest area not far from the village Zakšín u Dubé, 15km northwest from Doksy.
THE RUIN OF CHUDÝ HRÁDEK CASTLE (POOR CASTLE) NEAR DOLSKÉ ÚDOLÍ (DOLSKÉ VALLEY)
The ruin of Chudý hrádek castle (Poor Castle) is hidden at the end of the picturesque Údolí Roklice valley (Roklice Valley), near Dolské údolí (Dolské Valley) and between the towns of Dřevčice and Holany.
The castle was founded in the 14th century by Berka z Dubé (Berka from Dubá) and left in the 16th century. Now it is only possible to admire the ruins of the castle palace. It is built on a promontory between two ravines and connects several rock towers. In its surrounding ‘rock town’ is a range of towers which are now a favourite spot for hikers.
THE FORTRESSES AND SMALL CASTLES AROUND HOLANY
In the surroundings of town Holany are found a wide range of former fortresses and smaller castles with a rich past.
RONOV CASTLE RUINS The 14th century castle is now a ruin, but since 1995 it has been a natural monument in the CHKO Kokořínsko (Kokořín district protected nature area). It is notable for being a solitary cone of basalt with a view to the Holanské Lakes system, the Bezděz hills, České středohoří (the Czech Mountain Range) and to the countryside around Úštěk.
RALSKOThe castle ruin on the basalt hill of the same name (696m above sea level) is situated above the village Stráž pod Ralskem. The building of the castle is not reliably recorded, but the first time it was mentioned in written sources was in 1399 in the predicate of Jan z Vartenberka (Jan from Vartenberk). The majority of the relics still available come from the turn of the 15th and 16th centuries. By 1516 the castle was being described as empty. There are views over a former military area towards the south and the two Bezdězy, and to the northeast across a ring of mountains (the Lužice Mountains, the Jizera Mountains and the Giant Mountains). Uranium mining also took place under the hill on the north side.
