Frýdštejn Castle
Encyclopedia
The ruins 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 the upper end of a long sandstone
rock ridge, next to the village of Frýdštejn
(former Zásada). The castle dominates the nearby Jizera
river valley and 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 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") built on the highest rock. The tower is the best conserved part of the castle. It is 15m high, has a diameter of 9m and its walls are 2m thick. The only entrance was on the first floor, about 6-7m above yard level.
The public has been allowed to visit the ruins since the 1890s, when the Turnov Adornment Club bought it from the Prince of Rohan
, who lived in Sychrov Castle
. 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 village Frýdštejn
, which preserves its current state.
Liberec Region
Liberec Region is an administrative unit of the Czech Republic, located in the northernmost part of its historical region of Bohemia. Region borders with Saxony, and Poland...
, Czech Republic
Czech Republic
The Czech Republic is a landlocked country in Central Europe. The country is bordered by Poland to the northeast, Slovakia to the east, Austria to the south, and Germany to the west and northwest....
, near the town Turnov
Turnov
Turnov is a town on the Jizera river in the northern Czech Republic. It has about 14,500 inhabitants and lies in the southern part of Liberec Region. It is a traditional center for gemstone polishing, glass craftmanship and arts....
. It is one of three castles in Jablonec nad Nisou District
Jablonec nad Nisou District
Jablonec nad Nisou District is a district within the Liberec Region of the Czech Republic...
. A typical rock castle, it lies on the upper end of a long sandstone
Sandstone
Sandstone is a sedimentary rock composed mainly of sand-sized minerals or rock grains.Most sandstone is composed of quartz and/or feldspar because these are the most common minerals in the Earth's crust. Like sand, sandstone may be any colour, but the most common colours are tan, brown, yellow,...
rock ridge, next to the village of Frýdštejn
Frýdštejn
Frýdštejn is a village and municipality in Jablonec nad Nisou District in the Liberec Region of the Czech Republic.-Notes:...
(former Zásada). The castle dominates the nearby Jizera
Jizera
The term Jizera can refer to:*Jizera in the Czech Republic*Jizera Mountains in the Czech Republic*Jizera in the Czech Republic...
river valley and the old trade route from Turnov to the north.
History
Thirty Years' War
The Thirty Years' War was fought primarily in what is now Germany, and at various points involved most countries in Europe. It was one of the most destructive conflicts in European history....
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") built on the highest rock. The tower is the best conserved part of the castle. It is 15m high, has a diameter of 9m and its walls are 2m thick. The only entrance was on the first floor, about 6-7m above yard level.
The public has been allowed to visit the ruins since the 1890s, when the Turnov Adornment Club bought it from the Prince of Rohan
Rohan (family)
The House of Rohan is a family of viscounts, later dukes and princes, coming from the locality of Rohan in Brittany. Their line descends from the viscounts of Porhoët and said to trace back to the legendary Conan Meriadoc. Through the Porhoët, the Rohan are related to the Dukes of Brittany, with...
, who lived in Sychrov Castle
Sychrov Castle
Sychrov Castle can be found near village Sychrov in the Liberec Region of the Czech Republic. It is unique example of Neo-Gothic castle from second half of 19th century. Large park surrounds the castle.-History:...
. 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 village Frýdštejn
Frýdštejn
Frýdštejn is a village and municipality in Jablonec nad Nisou District in the Liberec Region of the Czech Republic.-Notes:...
, which preserves its current state.
External links
- Photographic description Interregion.cz
- Frýdštejn Photogallery Zřícenina hradu Frýdštejn
- Frýdštejn Česky Raj website