Frýdštejn Castle

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Location of Frýdštejn in the Czech Republic

Frýdštejn from the south

Frýdštejn from the north

Ruin of Frýdštejn Castle can be found in the Liberec Region, Czech Republic, near the town Turnov. It is one of three castles in Jablonec nad Nisou District.

A typical rock castle, it lies on upper end of long sandstone rock ridge, next to the village Frýdštejn (former Zásada). The castle dominates over nearby Jizera river valley and over the old trade route from Turnov to the north.

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 Hussites. The castle had changed owner several times. After a sale from 1556 it lost of function as watchtower and at the end of 16th century it was no longer inhabited. During Thirty Years' War marauders, deserters and fugitives of every kind found a shelter here.

The entrance into the castle is not exactly known. It is believed to be on the right of the tower through ground floor of the palace itself - a castle lord's residence. Today's entrance has been built in modern times.

As there was little space in the castle, number of small rooms has been carved out in the rock, including small chapel. Major dominant of the castle is a large castle tower ("bergfrit") built on the highest rock. The tower is the best conserved part of the castle. It is 15m high, has diameter 9m and its walls are 2m thick. The only entrance was on 1st floor, about 6-7m above yard level.

Public has been allowed to visit the ruins since 1890s when Turnov adornment club bought it from Prince of Rohan living in Sychrov Castle and had the conserved masonry reinforced. Archaeological findings from this period are available in Turnov Museum ^[1]. Today the castle is owned by village Frýdštejn and gets gradually conserved to preserve its current state.