Roštejn

Roštejn Castle is a late Gothic castle perched on a rocky hill (677 metres above sea level) in the cadastral territory of the village of Doupě, in the Vysočina Region, Jihlava district of the Czech Republic. The castle now belongs to the Vysočina Region and is administered by the Vysočina Museum in Jihlava.

Who built Roštejn, and why?

The castle was built in the first half of the 14th century by the Lords of Hradec, a powerful noble family whose coat of arms - a golden five-petalled rose - gave the fortress its original German name, Rosenstein ("rose stone"), later Czechified into Roštýn and eventually Roštejn. In its earliest form the castle was a straightforward Gothic stronghold, using the rocky outcrop it stands on as a natural line of defence.

How did a fortress become a Renaissance hunting lodge?

In the 1570s, the castle's owner Zachariáš of Hradec had Roštejn rebuilt in the Renaissance style, transforming the austere stronghold into a hunting lodge surrounded by an extensive game preserve. That renovation is largely responsible for the character the castle still has today: a retreat built for hunting and leisure rather than for withstanding sieges.

Which families owned the castle after the Lords of Hradec?

Once the Hradec line died out, Roštejn passed through the hands of several other noble families: the Slavatas of Chlum and Košumberk, the Liechtenstein-Kastelkorns, and the Podstatzky-Liechtensteins. Each left some mark on the estate, but the Renaissance hunting-lodge character established in the 16th century remained the castle's defining feature through the centuries that followed.

What survives today, and what had to be rebuilt?

A fire in 1915 seriously damaged the castle, and major repairs did not begin until 1958. Restoration then proceeded in stages: part of the castle opened to the public in 1969, and after further work the remaining interiors on today's visitor route opened in 1982.

One feature that survived every rebuilding and the fire itself is the original heptagonal Gothic tower, standing 48 metres tall. It is open to visitors and offers sweeping views over the surrounding forests and the Vysočina countryside. The visitor route also includes the Chapel of St. Eustace, and the castle now houses an interactive exhibition on nature, hunting and game management, featuring a distinctive botanical hall.

Frequently asked questions

Where exactly is Roštejn Castle located? It stands on a rocky hill 677 metres above sea level in the cadastral area of the village of Doupě, in the Jihlava district of the Vysočina Region.

Who built Roštejn, and where does its name come from? It was built in the first half of the 14th century by the Lords of Hradec; the name derives from the German Rosenstein ("rose stone"), a reference to the family's golden rose emblem.

How is Roštejn different from a typical defensive Gothic castle? In the 1570s Zachariáš of Hradec had it rebuilt as a Renaissance hunting lodge surrounded by a large game preserve, so today it feels more like a hunting retreat than a fortress.

Can visitors climb the castle tower? Yes, the original seven-sided Gothic tower is 48 metres tall, open to the public, and offers views over the surrounding forests.

Who manages the castle today? Roštejn belongs to the Vysočina Region and is administered by the Vysočina Museum in Jihlava.