Frýdštejn Castle (german: Burg Friedstein) is a castle ruin in
Frýdštejn in the
Liberec Region of the
Czech Republic. It is one of three castles in
Jablonec nad Nisou District. A typical rock castle, it lies on the upper end of a long
sandstone rock ridge. The castle dominates the nearby
Jizera river valley and the old trade route from
Turnov to the north.
History
Frýdštejn was constructed during 14th century (exact date is not known). It is mentioned for the first time in a church source from 1385. Being owned by a Catholic it was besieged by
Hussites in August 1432 but its lord had agreed to cease hostilities and later joined the Hussites. The castle had changed owners several times. After a sale in 1556 it lost its function as a watchtower and at the end of 16th century it was no longer inhabited. During the
Thirty Years' War marauders, deserters, and fugitives of every kind found shelter here.
The whereabouts of the original entrance into the castle is not known. It is believed to be on the right of the tower through the ground floor of the palace itself, a castle lord's residence. Today's entrance was built in modern times.
As there was little space in the castle, a number of small rooms were carved out in the rock, including a small chapel. The dominant feature of the castle is a large tower ("''
bergfrit
''Bergfried'' (plural: ''bergfriede''; English: ''belfry''; French: ''tour-beffroi''; Spanish: ''torre del homenaje'') is a tall tower that is typically found in castles of the Middle Ages in German-speaking countries and in countries under German ...
''") built on the highest rock. The tower is the best conserved part of the castle. It is high, has a diameter of , and its walls are thick. The only entrance was on the first floor, about above yard level.
The public has been allowed to visit the ruins since the 1890s, when the Turnov Adornment Club bought it from Prince of
Rohan, who lived in
Sychrov Castle
Sychrov Castle can be found near the village Sychrov in the Liberec Region of the Czech Republic. It is a unique example of Neo-Gothic castle architecture from the second half of the 19th century. A large park surrounds the castle.
History
Since ...
. The club had the conserved masonry reinforced. Archaeological findings from this period are available in the Turnov Museum. Today the castle is owned by the municipality of
Frýdštejn, which preserves its current state.
Gallery
Fridstejn.jpg, View of Frýdštejn Castle
Friedstein004.jpg, View from a low point up the castle
Friedstein006.jpg, Rooms built into the sandstone-rocks
Hrad frydstejn dolni nadvori.jpg, Lower courtyard
See also
*
List of castles in the Liberec Region
This is a list of castles and chateaux located in the Liberec Region of the Czech Republic.
A
* Arthurův hrad Castle
B
* Berštejn Castle
* Bezděz Castle
* Bredovský letohrádek Chateau
C
* Chudý hrádek Castle
* Čap Castle
* Če ...
External links
Photographic descriptionFrýdštejn on Bohemian Paradise website
virtual show
{{DEFAULTSORT:Frydstejn Castle
Jablonec nad Nisou District
Rock castles
Castles in the Liberec Region
Tourist attractions in the Liberec Region