Hrubá Skála Castle

The original Gothic castle was founded about six kilometers from Turnov around 1350 by Hynek of Valdštejn. Over the centuries, the residence underwent a complex architectural development through the Renaissance and Baroque periods to its current Neo-Gothic appearance from 1859. Although the interiors now serve as a hotel and congress center, visitors can freely explore the courtyard and climb the tower, which offers views of the Hrubá Skála rocks, Trosky, and the Tábor and Kozákov hills. The access road to the chateau is spanned by a bridge with valuable Baroque statues of Saint Florian and Saint Lawrence dating from around 1730. The striking exteriors of the building, set in the rocky landscape, also served as a backdrop for several films, including the famous fairy tale Prince Bajaja.