Hartenberg Castle

Hartenberg Castle stands in Hřebeny near Josefov, on a rocky spur above the Svatava. From the outside it can seem almost hidden in the wooded slope, yet it is one of the most compelling restored monuments in the Sokolov area. Its origins reach the turn of the 12th and 13th centuries. Over the centuries the castle was rebuilt many times, captured, plundered and eventually adapted into a more comfortable chateau residence.

The hardest period came after 1945. After the displacement of the original population, the property was confiscated, used by the army and later by state farms. From the 1970s the main palace served as a granary, the complex decayed, and in 1985 it was deliberately set on fire. A vast castle and chateau complex was left as a heavily damaged ruin. Since 1997, Bedřich Loos and the Hartenberg association have been saving the site, often with help from volunteers from Czechia and abroad. In 2016 the restoration received the Patrimonium pro futuro award from the National Heritage Institute.

Castle Tour

Hartenberg is not a freely walk-through ruin where visitors simply arrive and explore everything alone. Visits take the form of a guided tour and must be arranged by phone in advance. The interpretation is a major part of the experience: the place speaks not only about medieval history, but also about post-war decline, arson and a long, demanding rescue effort. You see a monument still in transformation, where historic masonry, building work, volunteer energy and cultural events come together into a living site.

Admission

A guided tour requires at least 4 people. The tour takes about 50 minutes and starts on the hour by arrangement.

Practical Information

The castle is accessible only after prior telephone arrangement. Guided tours usually run within the 10:00-17:00 time window. By car, approach Hřebeny via Josefov or Krajková; from Hřebeny the road continues downhill, and from the last building it is about 150 metres to the castle along the access road. By train, use Hřebeny station on the Sokolov - Kraslice line.

Contacts and How to Get There

• Web: hartenberg.cz
• Address: Hřebeny 1, 357 09 Josefov
• GPS: 50.221662, 12.575349
• Phone for tour booking: +420 607 649 997
• E-mail: hartenberg@seznam.cz