Starý Berštejn

Starý Berštejn is a ruined castle above the village of Vrchovany in the Liberec Region of the Czech Republic, perched on the basalt hill of Berkovský vrch at roughly 480 metres above sea level, close to the small town of Dubá in the Česká Lípa district.

Where exactly is the castle?

The ruins stand within the cadastral territory of Vrchovany, in the landscape known as Máchův kraj - a region named after the poet Karel Hynek Mácha and dotted with castles and fortress ruins scattered across its basalt hills. Berkovský vrch, the hill Starý Berštejn crowns, is easy to spot from a distance thanks to its steep, distinctive shape.

Who built the castle?

Jindřich Hlaváč of Dubá had the castle raised shortly after 1400, during a period when the growing Hlaváč family was dividing its estates among its members. In 1407 he inherited the Jestřebí estate from his brother and from then on held both properties together.

By the mid-15th century ownership had passed to the lords of Vartenberk - sources name Zikmund of Berštejn as the estate's holder at the time. Around 1500 the property returned to the Berka family, this time to Jiří Berka.

Why is it called "Starý" and how did it become a ruin?

In 1547, when the estate was divided among the sons of Aleš Berka, the castle went to Adam Berka. Rather than keep the old stronghold as his residence, Adam chose to build himself a new seat - the castle of Nový Berštejn - and stopped maintaining the original one. From that point the older castle came to be distinguished by the name "Starý" (Old). Left to decay, the abandoned building was gradually stripped by local villagers, who carried off its stone and timber to build their own houses. By 1592, when Adam's sons recorded the division of their inheritance, the old castle was not even mentioned - by then it must already have been a complete ruin.

What survives today?

What remains today is mainly the castle tower, along with fragments of bastions surrounding a small outer bailey. These are modest but clearly legible traces of a medieval stronghold - still a worthwhile stop for anyone interested in ruins and regional history while exploring the area around Dubá. The site has been listed as a cultural monument since 1965.

Can you visit Starý Berštejn?

The castle sits on private land and is not open to the public on a walk-in basis. Visiting the interior is possible only by prior arrangement with the owner - groups of history enthusiasts can request access in advance, by phone or in writing. Keep this in mind when planning a trip: turning up without contacting the owner beforehand will likely mean viewing the ruin only from the outside.

When is the best time to come?

Given the limited access, it is best to contact the owner first and arrange a visit date in advance, rather than counting on a spontaneous stop. The surrounding hills of the Máchův kraj around Dubá also invite a longer outing that combines several of the region's historical sites.

Frequently asked questions

Where is Starý Berštejn located? On the basalt hill of Berkovský vrch, in the cadastral area of Vrchovany, near the town of Dubá in the Česká Lípa district, Liberec Region.

When was the castle built? Shortly after 1400, commissioned by Jindřich Hlaváč of Dubá.

Why is it called "Starý" (Old) Berštejn? Because in 1547 Adam Berka built a new residence, Nový Berštejn (New Berštejn), and the original castle came to be known as the "old" one once it was abandoned and left to fall into ruin.

Can visitors go inside the castle? The site is privately owned, so entry is only possible by prior arrangement with the owner, made by phone or in writing.