Kostomlaty Lower Castle

Kostomlaty Lower Castle (Dolní hrad) is the outer bailey of the extensive Kostomlaty castle ruins, perched on a hill above the village of Kostomlaty pod Milešovkou, close to Milešovka, the highest peak of the Central Bohemian Uplands.

What exactly is the Lower Castle?

The whole Kostomlaty complex was laid out in two parts, a common arrangement for bergfried-type castles. The upper castle held the main defensive tower and two opposing residential halls grouped around a trapezoid-shaped courtyard. The lower castle formed a large forecourt, reached through a hexagonal gate flanked by a round tower. It was inside this lower ward that the estate's service and farm buildings once stood.

Who built the castle and when?

Construction began before 1333, the year the castle first appears in written records. It was founded by the lords of Rýzmburk, a family with roots in nearby Osek. Ownership changed hands quickly afterward: the castle passed to Emperor Charles IV, who granted it to the lords of Žerotín. In 1388, Plichta of Žerotín sold the property to Jindřich Škopek of Dubá.

Did the castle survive the Hussite wars?

Yes. During the Hussite wars, Kostomlaty was besieged and partly damaged, yet it was never taken by force. The castle came through the conflict intact enough to remain in use, and in 1435 it became the ancestral seat of the Kostomlatský family of Vřesovice, a noble line that took its name from the estate.

Why did the castle fall into ruin?

Like many medieval strongholds, Kostomlaty stopped suiting the needs of its noble owners during the 16th century, as they moved into newer residences built in the town below. By 1606, the castle stood empty, and without anyone living there, the buildings began a slow decline.

What is the state of the ruins today?

The first conservation work on the ruins dates to 1841, when the lower courtyard was repaired and the main tower was opened to visitors as a lookout point. The site has been protected as a cultural monument since 1964. Today the ruins are state property, cared for by a civic association dedicated to preserving Kostomlaty Castle. The location sits at the northwestern edge of a protected landscape area, close to the Milešovka summit, making it a popular stop for hikers exploring the Central Bohemian Uplands.

What can visitors see in the lower ward?

Visitors can still trace the outline of the hexagonal entrance gate and the remains of the round tower that once guarded it. The lower courtyard itself, partly restored as early as the 19th century, gives a sense of how the farm buildings were once arranged. A path leads from the forecourt up toward the upper castle, where the main tower still stands and rewards the climb with wide views over the surrounding hills.

Frequently asked questions

How is the Lower Castle different from the upper castle at Kostomlaty? The Lower Castle was the outer bailey, holding the entrance gate, a defensive tower, and service buildings, while the upper castle contained the main keep and two residential halls around a central courtyard.

When was Kostomlaty Castle built? Construction predates 1333, the year of its first written mention, and the castle was founded by the lords of Rýzmburk.

Was the castle ever captured? No. It was besieged and partly destroyed during the Hussite wars but was never conquered by an attacking force.

Since when has the site been open to visitors? The tower was made accessible as a lookout point after restoration work in 1841, and the ruins have been protected as a cultural monument since 1964.