Vildštejn Castle

Vildštejn Castle in Skalná near Cheb is one of the oldest surviving stone castles in Bohemia. Built around 1166 on a granite rock above a tributary of the Vonšovský stream, it originally worked as a water castle surrounded by an artificial lake. Its Romanesque core still gives the place a rare atmosphere where medieval architecture meets stories of hunters, knights and noble disputes.

The first written mention comes from 1224, when Gerold of Vildštejn appears in documents. The castle later passed through the hands of the Nothaft, Gummerauer, Šlik, Wirsperg and Trautenberg families. In 1783 a Baroque-Classical manor house was built in the outer bailey, shaping the complex you see today. After the end of noble administration in the 19th century, the castle served as a malt house and gradually declined. Restoration began in 1985, it opened to visitors in 2001, and in 2020 the town of Skalná received the Patria Nostra award for its conservation work.

What to see

Vildštejn is compact, atmospheric and unusually varied. The tour leads through rooms that mix castle romance with regional history.

Medieval feast hall is the heart of the castle. In the knightly hall, meals inspired by medieval Czech cuisine are served; groups can arrange special knight menus with accompanying programmes.

Royal Hall displays portraits of Czech rulers and is used for exhibitions. Its Gothic decoration gives the room a strong sense of Czech history.

Romanesque chapel and archaeology are among the most valuable parts of the castle. Human remains uncovered in the crypt are linked with the local White Lady legend.

Firefighting museum surprises with a large collection of historic equipment and vehicles. One of its most unusual exhibits is a flag dedicated to firefighters who died during the 11 September 2001 terrorist attack in the United States.

Castle prison and prison museum show a darker but fascinating side of medieval life, with period replicas and authentic prison spaces.

The complex also includes a wine cellar in the historic cellars and a small animal enclosure that makes the visit especially easy with children.

Admission

Practical information

The castle is open year-round, daily from 10:00 to 17:00, except 23-25 December. A full visit to all exhibitions takes about 1.5-2 hours. The site is family-friendly thanks to the animal enclosure and the adventurous atmosphere of the medieval halls.

Accommodation is available in apartments on the courtyard, and camper vans can use a Stellplatz with electricity, water and waste disposal. Vildštejn regularly hosts medieval gatherings, knight festivals, weddings and company events.

Directions and contacts

• Website: vildstejn.cz
• Address: Pod Hradem 81, 351 34 Skalná
• GPS: 50.1694, 12.3599
• Phone, restaurant: +420 354 594 930
• Phone, accommodation and events: +420 602 374 399
• E-mail: info@vildstejn.cz