Helfenburk near Úštěk

The castle on a sandstone spur was founded by the Lords of Klinštejn in the first half of the fourteenth century, with Jan of Klinštejn likely being the founder, who later even adapted his name after the castle. In 1375, Prague Archbishop Jan Očko of Vlašim bought it and made it his favorite summer residence; his successor, Jan of Jenštejn, even narrowly escaped falling from the newly built tower here in 1395. In 1431, Archbishop Konrád of Vechta died here in hiding, and less than two centuries later, in 1622, the castle was plundered and burned by the imperial troops of Marshal Buquoy. A significant turning point came in 1887 when industrialist Count Josef von Schroll bought it and had it repaired, among other things, adding the third floor of the tower. Today, Helfenburk is a permanently accessible ruin, cared for since the nineteen sixties by the Hrádek Helfenburk association. Visitors can climb 143 steps to the top of the thirty-meter tower, explore the original well, and enjoy views of the surrounding forests.