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