Vildštejn Castle near Cheb

Vildštejn Castle is one of the oldest castles in the Czech Republic, built on a rocky spur above the Sázek stream in Skalná, in the Cheb district. Though local tourism listings often link it to the nearby village of Starý Rybník, the castle itself stands within Skalná and, after decades of decline, has welcomed visitors again since 2001.

When was Vildštejn built, and who owned it first?

The castle was founded around 1200, making it one of the earliest fortified structures on Czech soil. Its first documented owner was a man named Gerold, recorded in 1224, and the estate passed to Vojtěch Nothaft the following year. The Nothaft family held Vildštejn until 1299, after which it changed hands repeatedly — passing through the Rabe, Frankengrüner, Gumerauer, Šlik, Wirsperg, Trautenberg, Wilhelm and Wolkenstein-Trostburg families, before landing with the industrialist Geipel family in the 19th century.

What did the original castle look like?

Vildštejn began as a Romanesque water castle, ringed by an artificial lake and built with Staufer-style architectural elements — a style associated with structures from the era of Emperor Frederick Barbarossa. Over time it was reworked in Gothic and, in part, Renaissance style as successive owners adapted it to their needs. In the second half of the 18th century, around 1783, a small Baroque-Classicist chateau building was added in the outer bailey.

What can visitors see at the castle today?

Following its move into private hands in 1999 and a long restoration effort that began in 1985, Vildštejn reopened to the public in 2001. Visitors today can explore a restaurant serving traditional Czech cuisine, a Romanesque chapel with preserved historical decoration, and a pseudo-Romanesque hall used for events. The second floor houses a firefighting museum dedicated to the region's history of fire protection. The castle's restoration earned it the Patria Nostra award in 2020.

What else is worth knowing about the area?

Vildštejn lies in the municipality of Skalná, near Cheb, in the Karlovy Vary Region. Nearby stands the ruined castle and Classicist manor of Starý Rybník, first mentioned in records from 1364, when it belonged to the Cheb burgher Jan Rabe of Mechelsgrün — whose family also owned Vildštejn. This proximity of two historic estates is a common source of confusion when describing the area, so it's worth remembering they are two separate sites.

Frequently asked questions

Where exactly is Vildštejn Castle located? On a rocky spur above the Sázek stream in Skalná, in the Cheb district of the Karlovy Vary Region.

When was Vildštejn built? Around 1200, making it one of the oldest castles in the Czech Republic.

Who was its first known owner? Gerold, recorded in 1224; the estate passed to Vojtěch Nothaft the following year.

What is there to see at the castle today? A restaurant serving Czech cuisine, a Romanesque chapel, a pseudo-Romanesque event hall, and a firefighting museum on the second floor.

Is Vildštejn the same as the castle at Starý Rybník? No. They are two separate, neighboring sites in the Skalná municipality — Vildštejn is restored and open to visitors, while the Starý Rybník ruin remains an archaeological monument.