Zvířetice Castle Ruins

The Gothic Zvířetice Castle saw both glory and decline, but its story now lives on through a virtual-graphic project, preserving its medieval charm.

Located near Bakov nad Jizerou in the Mladá Boleslav district, this historic site has drawn visitors for centuries. Founded in 1287 as a Gothic fortress, it was transformed in the 16th century into a Renaissance chateau, thriving during the Baroque era. However, its decline began under the Waldstein family, with fires in 1683 and 1720 marking its tragic fall.

• Interesting fact: Zvířetice Castle flourished under Marie Eleonora of Waldstein (1620–1670), who created grand gardens and a detailed estate inventory, helping us identify rooms to this day. After her, the castle declined as the Waldstein family moved to the modern chateau in Mnichovo Hradiště.

The abandoned ruins of Zvířetice Castle found new life in the 19th century, drawing adventurers and artists. Among them was poet Karel Hynek Mácha, who sketched the site during his 1833 visit. In the 1970s, youth summer camps revived the ruins, with campers cleaning the castle well and repairing the malt house.

Now part of a protected area, the ruins captivate visitors with preserved walls, defensive sections, and a 42-meter tower offering breathtaking views of Bezděz Castle, Ještěd, Kozákov, and the Bohemian Paradise.

• Tip for you: Don’t miss the chance to travel back to 1683, when Zvířetice Castle was at its peak. A virtual project uses advanced 3D graphics to bring the castle to life as it appeared after the stables were completed. You can watch this time-travel experience at the nearby Tourist Information Center.

What’s next?

From the castle tower, the viewing compass points to other interesting nearby destinations. Just beyond the horizon, on the other side of Zvířetice, is the Hrnčířský dvůr Zvířetice, known for its traditional pottery workshop. Continue your journey through history at Bezděz Castle or the Valečov ruins. For the rest of the day, you can head to Mladá Boleslav, where, alongside the castle, you can visit the Škoda Museum to learn about the Czech car brand’s evolution in a restored factory. Aviation fans will also enjoy the Metoděj Vlach Aviation Museum.