About this place
Valdštejn Castle is a ruined medieval fortress in the Liberec Region, a short distance from Turnov, set right into the rock landscape of the Bohemian Paradise. It is the oldest stronghold in the area, perched on three sandstone rock towers that form part of the Hruboskalsko rock town and are linked by wooden footbridges.
Who built the castle, and when?
Construction dates to the second half of the 13th century, roughly 1260–1280, and is credited to a branch of the powerful Markvartic family. The builder is thought to have been Jaroslav of Hruštice, burgrave of the castle in Mladá Boleslav, or his son Zdeněk. Once the family settled here, they adopted the name "lords of Valdštejn" after their new seat — the same name later carried by the famous Wallenstein noble line. The early Gothic builders anchored the stronghold directly onto the sandstone blocks, using the rock formations themselves as both foundation and natural defence, which makes Valdštejn one of the more striking examples of fortress architecture fused with the rock scenery of Bohemian Paradise.
What survives from the later rebuilding?
Much of what visitors see today reflects 18th- and 19th-century changes, when the Gothic ruin was gradually turned into a pilgrimage and promenade site. A stone staircase leading up to the castle was built in 1713, and in 1722 the Chapel of St. John of Nepomuk was added in the first courtyard. In 1836 a new entrance gate was built behind a stone bridge lined with statues of saints. The statues now standing inside the chapel are the originals, carved by sculptor Josef Jiří Jelínek of Kosmonos; they once decorated the baroque bridge and depict the patron saints of Bohemia.
What can visitors see inside?
Beyond walking the courtyards and ramparts, visitors can go down into the castle's vaulted cellars, which house an archaeology exhibition and a display dedicated to the region's sandstone — how it was quarried and worked. The former billiard hall is also open to the public. The front courtyards and the area around the Chapel of St. John of Nepomuk are accessible to wheelchair users.
Who runs the castle today, and how many people visit?
The castle is now owned by the town of Turnov, which opens it to the public on a seasonal basis, either for independent visits or guided tours. Valdštejn draws more than 70,000 visitors a year, making it one of the most visited sights in Bohemian Paradise.
Where exactly is the castle located?
The ruins lie in the Semily district, right next to Turnov, within the Bohemian Paradise (Český ráj) protected landscape area — the first area of its kind to be protected in former Czechoslovakia.
Frequently asked questions
Who built Valdštejn Castle? A branch of the Markvartic family built it in the second half of the 13th century, most likely under Jaroslav of Hruštice or his son Zdeněk.
Why does the castle sit on bare rock? Its builders used the natural sandstone towers of the Hruboskalsko rock town as both the foundation and the main line of defence.
What is inside the castle chapel? The 1722 Chapel of St. John of Nepomuk holds original baroque statues of Bohemia's patron saints, carved by Josef Jiří Jelínek and moved here from the decorative bridge.
Can you visit the castle today? Yes. It belongs to the town of Turnov and opens seasonally, with an archaeology exhibition, a sandstone-themed display, and the old billiard hall open to the public.
Where is Valdštejn located? In the Liberec Region, Semily district, right beside Turnov, inside the Bohemian Paradise protected landscape area.
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