Maloskalická tvrz

Maloskalická tvrz is the remains of a medieval fortified manor in Česká Skalice, sitting on a rise above the right bank of the Úpa River. Little survives above ground today beyond reconstructed foundation outlines, but the site now forms part of a museum area dedicated to local history.

When was the fort built, and why this spot?

The fort was raised in the mid-13th century, during the reign of Přemysl Otakar I, under the name Skalička. The site was chosen deliberately: the elevated ground above the Úpa overlooked a junction of trade routes running toward Kladsko and along the Úpa valley, making it a natural point to control traffic and collect tolls. Over time both the settlement and the fort came to be known as Malá Skalice, distinguishing them from the growing town of Česká Skalice nearby.

Who held the fort during the Middle Ages?

The earliest documented owner is Nevlas ze Skalice, recorded in 1363. Across the following two and a half centuries, from the 14th through the 17th century, the fort passed through a succession of owners — a common pattern for small fortified manors of this scale in the region. The last owner on record, noted in 1634, was Octavio Piccolomini de Aragona, an Italian-born military commander active in Bohemia during the Thirty Years' War.

What destroyed the fort?

The Thirty Years' War sealed the fort's fate. Around 1639, Swedish troops burned Česká Skalice, and the fort was destroyed along with the town. It was never rebuilt, and its ruins stood abandoned for nearly two centuries. The last standing remnants of the walls disappeared between 1822 and 1826, when the rubble was reused as building material for new structures on the site: the "U bílého lva" roadside inn, completed in 1824, and a monastery building with a chapel next to the imperial road.

What have archaeologists found?

The site of the fort went largely unexamined until the second half of the 20th century. Excavations carried out between 1980 and 1983 uncovered the foundations of the former fortifications along with the circular underground base of a massive tower. That discovery made it possible to mark out the tower's footprint at ground level, so visitors today can see where it once stood.

What is there to see at the site today?

The former fort grounds are now part of the Maloskalický museum area, linked to the memory of writer Božena Němcová, who spent her childhood in Česká Skalice. An exhibition on the history of the fort is on display at the site, and the grounds also host iris flower shows, a local tradition in the area. The combination of military history, archaeology, and gardens makes it a worthwhile stop for visitors exploring Česká Skalice beyond the main Božena Němcová sites.

Frequently asked questions

Are any original walls still standing? No — the above-ground walls were dismantled between 1822 and 1826. What remains are the foundation outlines and the underground circular base of the tower, uncovered during excavations in the early 1980s.

Who destroyed the fort? The fort was destroyed around 1639, when Swedish troops burned Česká Skalice during the Thirty Years' War.

Can the fort site be visited? Yes, the grounds are open as part of a museum area, which includes an exhibition on the fort's history and hosts iris flower shows.

What was the fort originally called? It was originally named Skalička; the name Malá Skalice came into use later to distinguish it from the expanding town of Česká Skalice.

Who was the last known owner of the fort? In 1634, the recorded owner was Octavio Piccolomini de Aragona, a military commander active in Bohemia during the Thirty Years' War.