Vildštejn Castle · since 1166

History of the Castle

Vildštejn Castle, majestically rising above the village of Skalná, is a jewel among Czech castles with a history dating back to the 12th century.

  • 1166Castle founded
  • 860 letwithin its walls
  • 2020Patria Nostra award

Castle Chronicle

1166

Laying the Foundations

Its foundations were laid around 1166, making it one of the oldest stone castles in Bohemia. The first mentions of the castle are associated with the noble Nothaft family, who built it as a defensive fortress.

Kresba: stavba hradu Vildštejn kolem roku 1166

Early Beginnings

The Water Castle

Originally, the castle was conceived as a water castle. Its location made it perfectly suited for this purpose. Access to the castle was secured by a drawbridge over a deep gorge that separated the castle from its surroundings.

Kresba: vodní hrad s padacím mostem přes strž

The Middle Ages

The Castle Takes Shape

During the Middle Ages, the castle changed owners several times and was expanded and rebuilt. Gothic and later Renaissance elements gave the castle its unique appearance.

Kresba: gotická podoba hradu Vildštejn

16th Century

Heart of the Estate

In the 16th century, the castle became the center of the estate and an important administrative hub.

Kresba: hrad Vildštejn jako centrum panství

1618–1648

The Thirty Years’ War

During the Thirty Years’ War, the castle suffered considerable damage, but fortunately, it was never completely destroyed.

19th Century

Private Owners

In the 19th century, Vildštejn Castle passed into the hands of various private owners, who primarily used it as a residential and agricultural property.

1999

The Castle’s Rescue

Throughout the 20th century, the castle fell into disrepair, but fortunately, in 1999, it came into the hands of new owners who embarked on a demanding reconstruction.

Kresba: záchrana a rekonstrukce hradu Vildštejn

2020

Patria Nostra

Today, the town of Skalná can once again proudly boast a majestic monument in the form of the castle, for which it received the Patria Nostra award for the Karlovy Vary Region in the “Our Municipality 1990-2020” project in 2020.

The Castle Today

Where History Meets Modern Experiences

Today, Vildštejn has been carefully reconstructed and offers visitors not only a glimpse into its rich history, but also various cultural events, exhibitions, and dining options in the castle restaurant and castle wine bar. This castle is a fascinating place where history blends with modern experiences. Every step on the castle stairs, every glance at the mighty walls and towers reveals stories of the past, which are a living testament to the rich and turbulent history of this remarkable place.

Castle Banqueting Hall
Castle Exhibition
Castle Wine Cellar
Castle Restaurant
Vaults of the Castle Restaurant
Accommodation at the Castle

Co-financed by the European Union

Vildštejn Castle’s New Chapter: Modern Amenities and Enhanced Comfort Thanks to EU Support

We are delighted to announce that the guesthouse at Vildštejn Castle has undergone a significant transformation thanks to co-financing from the European Union. This support has enabled us to modernize our room facilities, which not only increases our accommodation capacity but also brings enhanced comfort and service quality for our guests.

Thanks to this significant investment, we can now offer an even more pleasant environment for all who visit our picturesque region. We extend our heartfelt thanks to the European Union for this opportunity, which has allowed us to elevate our services to a new level! We look forward to welcoming you to the newly modernized guesthouse at Vildštejn Castle. Come and experience the difference for yourself!

Required publicity: co-financed by the European Union – modernization of Vildštejn Castle guesthouse