Kokořín Castle

Kokořín Castle stands on a sandstone rock spur in the Czech Republic, about 40 kilometers north of Prague, at the heart of the Kokořínsko – Máchův kraj Protected Landscape Area, which takes its name from the castle.

When was the castle built?

Hynek Berka of Dubá ordered the castle's construction in the first half of the 14th century, around 1320.

What happened to it over the centuries?

The Hussite Wars left the castle badly damaged, and it gradually fell into disrepair. By the late 19th century only its walls remained, yet the picturesque ruins had already caught the eye of Romantic-era painters and poets, among them Karel Hynek Mácha and Josef Mánes.

Who rebuilt the castle?

In 1896 Václav Špaček bought the Kokořín estate together with the ruins. Fifteen years later, in 1911, he launched a thorough reconstruction with the help of historians August Sedláček, Zikmund Winter and Čeněk Zíbrt, while architect Eduard Sochor designed the neo-Gothic rebuilding. The work was finished in 1918 under the supervision of Špaček's son, Jan. The project is regarded as the first comprehensive rescue of a medieval ruin carried out in Bohemia, after which the castle was opened to visitors.

What does the castle look like today?

During the reconstruction the palace building was raised by an extra floor and given a roof. A cylindrical lookout tower, 38 meters tall, dominates the complex and offers views over the surrounding countryside. One of the rock chambers still holds a niche that likely once held a statue - a possible trace of a former chapel.

What can visitors see inside?

The palace houses an exhibition dedicated to Karel Hynek Mácha and 19th-century Czech Romantic art, with preserved wall paintings and period interiors, including a hunting room. The visit covers four palace rooms shown with a guide, plus an unaccompanied walk along the ramparts, the tower and the cellars.

Where exactly is the castle located?

The castle sits within the Kokořínsko – Máchův kraj Protected Landscape Area, a sandstone region dotted with rock formations, small lakes and quiet villages, roughly 40 kilometers from Prague. Its coordinates are 50.440403, 14.576792.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who built Kokořín Castle?

It was built on the order of Hynek Berka of Dubá in the first half of the 14th century.

Why did the castle fall into ruin?

The Hussite Wars caused serious damage, after which the castle stood abandoned and decaying for centuries.

When was the castle rebuilt?

The reconstruction took place between 1911 and 1918, initiated by Václav Špaček and led by architect Eduard Sochor.

How tall is the castle tower?

The lookout tower stands 38 meters tall and now serves as a viewpoint.

What is worth seeing at the castle?

The exhibition on Karel Hynek Mácha and Romantic art, the historic palace interiors, and the view from the tower.