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

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. In the 16th century, the castle became the center of the estate and an important administrative hub. During the Thirty Years’ War, the castle suffered significant damage, but fortunately, it was never completely destroyed.

In the 19th century, Vildštejn Castle passed into the ownership of various private owners, who primarily used it as a residential and estate building. 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 challenging restoration.

Today, Vildštejn stands meticulously reconstructed, offering visitors not only a glimpse into its rich history but also a variety of cultural events, exhibitions, and dining opportunities at the castle restaurant and castle wine bar. This castle is a fascinating place where history beautifully intertwines with modern experiences. Every step on the castle stairs, every glance at its mighty walls and towers, reveals stories of the past, serving as a vibrant testament to the rich and eventful history of this remarkable site.

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

A New Chapter for Hrad Vildštejn: Modern Facilities and Enhanced Comfort Thanks to EU Support

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

Thanks to this significant investment, we can offer an even more pleasant environment for all who visit our picturesque region. We sincerely thank the European Union for this opportunity, which has enabled us to elevate our services to a new level!

We look forward to welcoming you to the newly modernized guesthouse at Hrad Vildštejn. Come and experience the difference for yourself!