Medieval Gothic Czech castle Frydlant. Friedland Castle - guardian of the northern borders of the Czech Republic Castles of Northern Bohemia
Decoration of the Liberec region
When going on a tour of the Czech Republic, tourists always include a visit to Liberec. They stay at the hotel for a couple of days, and while walking along the narrow medieval streets, they get acquainted with numerous historical and architectural monuments. Of particular interest is the Frydlant Castle, located 25 kilometers from Liberec. It is not only an architectural monument of Liberec, but also of the entire Czech Republic.
Frydlant Castle has existed for more than seven centuries and is the most famous ancient castle in Central Europe. It gives every visitor an incredible opportunity to experience the atmosphere of the Middle Ages and get acquainted with the life and culture of the nobility.
The location of Friedlant Castle on a steep sixty-meter cliff above the river creates the impression of inaccessibility and fascinates everyone who saw this spectacle for the first time. The name of the castle comes from an old German word and means “keep the earth.” According to the legend that lives in these places, a father lived on the banks of the river a long time ago, and he bequeathed the land to his sons. It was they who built the first castle on this land.
History of the castle
The old castle fortress was built at the beginning of the 13th century, on the site of an old tower built in the 11th century that served as a lighthouse. Frydlant Castle was built by a representative of the famous Rogovtsev family, and was a magnificent example of the Gothic style of architecture of the early Renaissance.
Chronicles have been preserved that speak of the first owners of the castle, who sold it to the royal family of Rudolf Bieberstein in 1278. This event was preceded by the completion of the main complex of castle structures.
Several centuries later, Frydlant Castle became the property of the Redern dynasty, who enlarged the territory of the castle and erected new buildings on it. During their management of the castle, a Renaissance palace and a small chapel were built.
From 1622 to 1634, the owner of the castle was Albrecht Wallenstein, who was granted the title of Generalissimo and the title of Duke of Friedland by Emperor Ferdinand II. However, the new owner, being passionate about military affairs, rarely visited the castle, and then completely turned it into a warehouse for storing ammunition.
After the death of von Wallenstein in 1634, the castle passed into the possession of Gallas. And since the beginning of 1757, the castle has been managed by a hereditary nobleman, diplomat Clam-Gallas, whose descendants were the owners of the castle until the end of the Second World War.
Museum exhibits
In 1801, Clam-Gallas declared Friedlant Castle a museum and opened the doors to visitors, which is still open today. Guests of the museum complex of Friedlant Castle can personally visit the state rooms of the Renaissance palace, see the chambers of Albrecht von Wallenstein, and also view the treasury of the Gallas collections.
The castle's armory is interesting, where eerie examples of military weapons from the 12th century are displayed. It is educational to explore the male and female halves of the castle. Their interiors are strikingly different from each other. The men's room is more austere and laconic, while the women's room is replete with cozy carpets and upholstered furniture.
The castle kitchen is striking in its size and antique utensils. Of interest is the children's room at Frydlant Castle, which gives an idea of the toys that the children of European aristocrats played with in the 19th century.
Castle architecture
The architecture of the castle is admired by modern builders and architects. She has retained her attractiveness to this day. The walls of Fridlant Castle represent a separate unique architectural feature. Such incredibly beautiful stone painting, called “sgraffito,” can be seen on a few medieval facades.
Part of the building was reconstructed in the second half of the 19th century. Today, renovation of the castle continues. The chapel roof and waxed wood floors were restored. The restoration of the terraces and castle steps made of stone continues.
Hyše Castle is located in the village of the same name in the Czech Republic. The first mention of its existence dates back to 1169, but it is quite possible that the castle was built much earlier than this year. Over time, the castle was turned into a fortress, but Hische has survived to this day in a modified form.
The current appearance of the castle was acquired by him in the second half of the 19th century. The author of perestroika was Ignatius Ullman. The establishment moved from the Renaissance to the neo-Gothic style. In 1917, the famous Czech writer Karel Capek worked as a teacher in this building. Later, a description of the castle is found in one of his works - “Krakatit”.
Between 1839 and 1841 a brewery was built in Hysch, but it practically did not function. In 2007, the production of high-quality beer was restored, and now all tourists who come on an excursion to the castle are offered a tasting.
Liberec Castle
Liberec Castle is a vast neoclassical palace located near the historic city center at Castle Square. The first buildings were erected in the 16th century, but in 1615 the castle burned down, only the tower with the bell tower survived, which has survived to this day. The castle, during its existence, changed several aristocratic owners, who expanded, repaired and completed it.
In the post-war period, the castle was purchased by the StekloExport company, which invested a lot of money to restore it. In recent years, valuable exhibits from the Czech and Slovak glass industry have been exhibited in the castle. In addition, the castle began to be used as a concert and cultural venue for the city, as well as for special occasions.
Grabštejn Castle
Grabštejn Castle is located in the Czech town of Grabštejn and was built in the 13th century in the Gothic style. Over the centuries, the architecture of the castle has undergone changes, and now we see a 16th-century building in the Renaissance style.
The main building of the castle, made of white stone in the shape of a diamond, is a round tower with an original top in the shape of a helmet, from which a beautiful view of the surrounding area opens. A landmark of the castle complex is the 16th-century chapel of St. Barbara, which has preserved original frescoes and heraldic motifs. The park around the castle was created in the Gothic and Renaissance style, and was restored at the beginning of the 19th century.
Grabštejn Castle passed from one owner to another until 1945, when it was confiscated by the state. Now in the restored castle, which was opened in 1993 to tourists, you can see interesting interiors dedicated to different historical figures and periods of history. In the basement of the castle there are exhibitions introducing visitors to local crafts and an ancient forge. Grabštejn Castle is included in the list of national monuments of the country.
Bezdez Castle
Bezdez Castle, with a Great Tower, about 40 meters high, has a distinct Gothic style. This architectural monument is located 20 kilometers southeast of the Czech city of Ceska Lipa.
The castle was erected by order of the Czech king Přemysl II Otakar, its construction lasted from 1264 to 1278. However, the king never lived to see the completion of the work - he died during the battle on the Moravian field. Built according to all the canons of fortifications of that time, Bezdez Castle successfully protected the lands of the Czech kings from the invasion of enemies, both internal, during the Hussite wars, and external, until the middle of the 17th century; it was not captured and partially destroyed by the Swedes during the Thirty Years' War.
In 1621, the castle was donated to the Benedictines by Albrecht von Wallenstein, and in 1666, the monks of the order transferred here from the Prague residence a copy of the Black Madonna from Spanish Montserrat, consecrated in Rome. Bezdez Castle becomes a place of pilgrimage; up to 40,000 believers visit it annually. In 1785, Prussian troops captured the castle, and the further abolition of the monastery became the main reason for the desolation and further destruction of the walls and main buildings of the castle.
Only in 1932, a descendant of the former owners of the castle, Karl Wallenstein, together with the Wartenberg tourist club, bought the ruins of the family estate for a symbolic sum of 2,000 crowns. Currently, the top of the mountain is crowned by the surviving parts of the castle, two towers 30 and 45 meters high and a Gothic chapel. Work to restore this architectural monument of the Czech Republic is ongoing to this day.
Rogozec Castle
Rogozec Castle is located in the district of the same name in the city of Turnov. The castle was founded in 1280 by the Marquartitz family and was originally a fortress.
From the second half of the 14th century, the fortress began to belong to Markwart of Wartemberk, who quite often conflicted with his neighbors. Each time it ended with Marquart attacking the offenders, starting futile wars. King Wenceslas IV did not like this, and he - through a siege - took the castle from Markwart. Until 1422, Rogozec belonged to the king. Afterwards the castle changed several more owners.
The castle acquired its current appearance in the 19th century during a major restoration. Now Rogozec is open to tourists.
Friedland Castle
Friedland Castle skillfully combines two architectural styles - Gothic and Renaissance. The castle was built in the thirteenth century at an important strategic position - the intersection of two trade routes. Accordingly, the main function of the castle was to protect this route from bandits and robbers.
In 1622, the famous commander Albrecht Waldstein took possession of Friedlan Castle. During the Thirty Years' War, the castle had to engage in battles more than once - Swedish troops repeatedly tried to capture the powerful fortification.
Today Friedland Castle is a museum and is open to everyone. During the excursions, visitors will be invited to familiarize themselves with collections of antique furniture, weapons, paintings and books from the 16th and 17th centuries.
Lemberk Castle
Lemberk Castle is located in the town of Jablone in Podještedy, in the northern part of the Czech Republic. The architecture of the castle, which was rebuilt several times, contains elements of Gothic, Renaissance, Baroque and Classicism.
The castle dates back to 1241, when the influential feudal lord Havel Markwartits built the Levenberk fortress; the name was later shortened to Lemberk. The castle was also the family home of several generations of Marquartians, until in 1401 the castle was captured by their distant relative, Jan Wertenberk. In 1427, the castle was sacked during the Hussite uprising. In the 16th century, the castle changed owners several times, introducing new elements into its appearance. Originally built in the Gothic style, the fortress gradually acquired the features of a Renaissance castle.
During the Seven Years' War, the castle housed a military hospital, and after its completion the estate was empty for some time.
From 1726 until the end of World War II, the castle belonged to the Clam-Gallas family. After the war, the castle was nationalized and turned into a museum. Today, a full-scale reconstruction of the castle, which began in 1979, continues. There are exhibitions and regular excursions on the castle grounds.
Sights of Liberec
Frýdlant Castle- a unique architectural masterpiece rising on a 60-meter cliff in the Czech town of Liberec.
Attractions
Today, on the territory of Friedlant there is a museum dedicated to Albrecht von Wallenstein and the history of the Thirty Years' War.
The art gallery contains paintings by Czech masters Vaclav Vavřinec Rainer, Karl Škreta, Petr Brandl, and others.
The rooms of the castle contain collections of smoking pipes, weapons, as well as a children's room with unique toys from the late 19th century.
History of the castle
The castle is built in the Renaissance style and was first opened to visitors in 1801.
Translated from German, the name of the castle means “keep the earth.” As legend has it, one local resident once bequeathed these lands to his sons. , a cult writer of the last century, wrote the novel “The Castle” under the impression of Friedlant.
The owners of Frydlant changed very often, which is traditional for all Czech castles.
For 3 centuries, the owners of the castle were the Biberstein family, the Redern family and even Přemysl Otakar, the king of the Czech Republic. All of them were great connoisseurs of beauty.
During the 30 Years' War, Friedlant came into the possession of Albrecht von Wallenstein, Generalissimo of the Imperial Army, and for a long time served as an ammunition depot. After his death, Friedlant passed to Count Matthias Clam-Gallas.
The castle was rebuilt several times after fires.
At the end of the 18th century, a neo-Renaissance Castellan wing was added to it.
Lock opening hours
- In April – from 9:00 to 15:30, seven days a week;
- In May, June – from 9:00 to 16:00, seven days a week;
- In July, August - from 9:00 to 16:30, seven days a week;
- In September – from 9:00 to 16:00, seven days a week;
- In October - from 9:00 to 15:30, seven days a week.
Ticket price
- For adults – 150 CZK;
- For children and students - 100 CZK;
- Family ticket - 400 CZK.
How to get to the castle
Address: Zámecká 4001, 464 01 Frýdlant, Czech Republic
Telephone: 482 312 130
Stop: Frýdlant v Čechách
GPS: 50.914722,15.083611
By car
First you need to get from Prague to Liberec. You can get to the city using your own car along the R10 highway through Mladá Boleslav. Travel time - 1.5 hours
From Liberec you need to head north along highway 35 (E442). After three kilometers, take road number 13 in the direction of Straz nad Nisou, Liberec-Makhnin, Frydlant. You follow this road for approximately 20 km and arrive at the castle grounds. The parking lot is located 100 m from the Fridlanta gate.
By bus
A bus leaves every 30 minutes from the Chorny Most bus station. Travel time is approximately 2.5 hours, 125 km. One transfer to . Direction city Frýdlant.
A tourist route leads from the bus station to the castle, which is marked with red signs.
By train
You can take the train by . Trains depart almost every hour. Travel time is approximately 4 hours. The cheapest ticket is 113 CZK. Direction city Frýdlant v Čechách. There are 2 transfers along the way, at Turnov and Liberec.
As you can see, the castle can be easily reached, which means that Frydlant Castle is a must visit!
What will happen if you combine two castles - an old Gothic fortress and a completely new palace dating from the 17th century - into one complex? The result is the luxurious Frydlant Castle, which once belonged to one of the most powerful nobles in the Czech Republic - military leader Albrecht von Wallenstein. Interestingly, the castle has a permanent exhibition dedicated to Wallenstein. Here you can also admire an amazing collection of artistic paintings, among which there are real masterpieces made by Czech masters.
During a tour of the castle, visitors have the opportunity to see a selection of ancient weapons, smoking pipes, porcelain and glass. In the children's room, pay attention to the unusual toys of the 19th century.
There is an interesting legend associated with the area where the castle stands. It is believed that the town where the castle subsequently appeared was founded by a man named Zagvozd. He had seven sons, to whom he allocated an allotment. They all built houses, and Zagvoz named the resulting small settlement Friedlant, which translated from German means “Keep the land.” This became a kind of testament from Zagvozd to his sons.
Before the castle became the property of Wallenstein and then the Kram-Gallas family, it belonged to many famous personalities, among whom was one of the Czech rulers, Přemysl Otakar. All of them took care of its decent maintenance, allocating colossal funds for the decoration of the internal chambers.
Frydlant Castle is also widely known for being considered the first palace complex in the Czech Republic to open its doors to ordinary visitors. This happened in 1801. And since then it’s even difficult to imagine how many people have visited its vaults.
Rising in the Czech town of Friedland, a 30-minute bus ride from the city of Liberec, on a 60-meter cliff, it is a unique architectural masterpiece. A Renaissance castle in combination with a medieval Gothic castle creates a harmonious ensemble, emphasizing each other’s beauty.
The name of the castle translated from German means “keep the earth.” According to legend, one day a local resident bequeathed these lands to his seven sons. One of the cult writers of the last century, Franz Kafka, wrote his novel “The Castle”, under the impression of Friedland.
In the 11th century, at the intersection of trade routes, a 50-meter tower was built, on the roof of which fires were lit, serving as a beacon for traders. Later, in the 13th century, the tower became part of the Gothic Old Town.
Traditionally for Czech castles, the owners Friedland Castle were constantly changing. For three centuries, the owners of the castle were the King of the Czech Republic Přemysl Otakar, the Bieberstein family and, finally, the Redern family, who were successful entrepreneurs and great connoisseurs of beauty. According to the design of the Italian architect Marco Spazio, a palace with sgraffito decoration and a chapel was built in the city.
During the Thirty Years' War, the castle passed to the Generalissimo of the Imperial Army Albrecht von Wallenstein and served as an ammunition depot. A sculptural portrait of the owner has been preserved in the castle courtyard. After his death, Friedland went to Count Matthias Clam-Gallas. After fires in 1676 and 1684, the castle was partially rebuilt. At the end of the 18th century, the Castellan wing was added to it in the neo-Renaissance style.
In 1801, Friedland Castle was the first European castle to open its doors to visitors. It exhibited a collection of antique furniture, books and paintings of the 16th-17th centuries, knightly armor and weapons. Today, on the territory of the castle there is a museum dedicated to the history of the 30 Years' War and Albrecht von Wallenstein. In the art gallery you can admire paintings by Czech masters Petr Brandl, Karl Škreta, Vaclav Vavřinec Rainer. The rooms of Friedland Castle contain collections of weapons, smoking pipes, as well as a children's room with unique toys from the late 19th century.
Friedland Castle opening hours.
April - From 9.00 to 15.30
May, June - 9.00 to 16.00
July, August - 9.00 to 16.30
September – 9.00 to 16.00
October - From 9.00 to 15.30
Ticket price - Tour 120 minutes.
Adults: 150 CZK
Children, students: 100 CZK
Family ticket: 400 CZK
Second excursion - Armory - 60 minutes.
Entrance: 130 CZK
Family ticket: 370 CZK
How to get to Friedland Castle