Bohemian Paradise Tour

Valštejn Castle

is situated at the western edge of the Hruboskalsko rock formation. It was founded in the mid 13th century by the noble family of Markvartice, whose later successor was Albrecht of Valdštejn, the famous military leader.

The castle was deserted in the 16th century. In the Baroque period it was a popular pilgrimage destination.

The premises have distinctive Romantic style features as well (19th century). There is an extremely valuable access bridge built of stone, decorated with Baroque sculptures. Another rarity is the Chapel of St John of Nepomuk with a portrait of John the Baptist.

Valdštejn Castle is the venue of regular cultural events, such as concerts, fencing shows, traditional fairs, theatre performances, etc.

Attraction: the painting by František Mašek, allegedly the only real portrait of Karel Hynek Mácha, the famous Czech romantic poet.

Guided tour in Czech, printed guide in other languages available.

Walk around the castle

A stone bridge decorated with baroque statues of the Bohemian patron saints leads up to the castle’s entrance gate. The statues are copies of the originals which were made by the Jelínek family of Kosmonosy. The copies are the work of the sculptor Jiří Novák. The castle’s first courtyard is located behind the entrance gate. The vaults beneath the first courtyard house a collection of archaeological findings from the castle and an exhibition dedicated to sandstone, a phenomenon of the Bohemian Paradise, and they are open to the public. The first courtyard also includes a small chapel with what is said to be a portrait of Karel Hynek Mácha.

There is a classicist house behind the second bridge which is also decorated with statues. An exhibition has been prepared for visitors in the Ceremonial Hall on the first floor, while the salon includes a portrait gallery of the castle’s last owners from the House of Lexa von Aehrenthal.

The Chapel of Saint John of Nepomuk stands on the second courtyard. It has been a distantly visible feature of the castle since the 18th century. The original sculptures from the bridges have been given a new home inside the chapel. An exhibition on the life and times of the local hermit and composer, Václav Karel Holán Rovenský, has been installed in the sacristy. The dungeon, which was found by chance during the realisation of repairs to the building, is also of interest.

A romantic set of stairs leads from the second courtyard to a terrace and to the oldest part of the castle. The Billiard Hall housing models of the castles and châteaux of the Bohemian Paradise is located under the terrace. These models of heritage buildings may provide you with inspiration for your next trip to the Bohemian Paradise.

Interesting remnants of the Middle Ages are located on the third cliff massif. The cliff vaults, the castle’s medieval ice room, the ruins which border the small uneven courtyard and the pines which are hundreds of years old create a romantic backdrop to the area. A lookout point overlooking Trosky and the nearby rock town was constructed at the end of the castle during the modifications undertaken in the 19th century. Visitors are also attracted by tours of the Romantic Palace, the predominant part of which includes the medieval palace of the Lords of Wallenstein.

The steps to the vaults and the bricked up gate to the third cliff massif are the remnants of the “cliff castle’s” entrance and defence system dating from the 15th century. The medieval remnants of the castle are located on the third cliff massif. The cliff vaults, the castle’s medieval ice room, the ruins which border the small uneven courtyard and the pines which are hundreds of years old create a romantic backdrop to the area. A lookout point overlooking Trosky and the nearby rock town was constructed at the end of the castle during the modifications undertaken in the 19th century. A number of exhibitions have been prepared for visitors in the Romantic Palace built on the ancient medieval palace of the Lords of Wallenstein.

Valdštejn Castle has many interesting things to offer visitors. Diversity is the main characteristic of this castle which has been created over centuries. The bizarre cliffs on which the castle stands in the middle of the forest, the quiet humility of the monument in the landscape and the wonderful views merely serve to enhance this impression.

A visit to the castle is usually combined with a trip to the nearby Hrubá Skála rock town. The Bohemian Paradise offers visitors a unique combination of natural beauty with an unusually high number of historical monuments, castles and châteaux located in a very small area.

A notice for visitors:

Please exercise increased care on the uneven surfaces, in the areas with reduced headroom or in any other areas which may present risks corresponding to the historical nature of the building

Gallery