Státní hrad Bezděz
A royal castle from the 13th century on the summit of a basalt hill, offering a self-guided visit with an early Gothic chapel, palaces and a climb up the great tower.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The castle was probably founded in the 1260s by King Přemysl Ottokar II on a dominant hill above an older courtyard. It was meant to protect the trade route and strengthen royal power against noble families. According to building-historical analyses, it was built by a royal building workshop that was probably inspired by Hessian Gothic; its crowning feature is the early Gothic chapel with a double gallery.
After the death of Přemysl Ottokar II in 1278 the castle became a prison: in January 1279 Otto of Brandenburg brought the seven-year-old Wenceslas II and his mother, Queen Kunhuta, here. At the beginning of the 14th century the nobility pledged the castle, and later it returned to direct royal administration; Charles IV liked to stay there. During the Hussite Wars it was the strongest bastion of the Catholic Church in northern Bohemia, and the Land Tablets (zemské desky) were brought here from Prague.
From 1627 the castle belonged to the Valdštejn family. From 1661 to 1785 a monastery of Montserrat Benedictines was based here; it was dissolved by Emperor Joseph II. Between 1831 and 1836 the poet Karel Hynek Mácha drew inspiration from the castle for his poem Máj (May). Today the castle is administered by the National Heritage Institute. During a self-guided visit, visitors pass through the chapel, the royal and burgrave’s palace and the vassals’ palace in the second courtyard, and can climb the great tower.
Highlights
- early Gothic castle chapel with a double gallery
- royal and burgrave’s palace on the upper castle
- vassals’ palace in the second courtyard, with a throne for children and a display of torture instruments
- climb up the great tower
- place of Wenceslas II’s imprisonment and inspiration for Mácha’s Máj
- children’s game The Treasure of Prince Wenceslas
Permanent exhibition
- Základní okruh Hrad Bezděz bez průvodce – A self-guided tour with a printed text and plan leads through the castle chapel, the royal and burgrave’s palace and the vassals’ palace in the second courtyard; the great tower is accessible during an individual visit.
- Operated by
- Národní památkový ústav, územní památková správa na Sychrově
Admission & discounts
| Adults | 180 Kč |
|---|---|
| Reduced | 140 Kčseniors from 65, young people aged 18–24 and holders of ZTP and ZTP/P cards |
| Children & teens | 50 Kčfree up to age 5 · Children aged 6–17 pay CZK 50; children up to and including age 5 enter free. |
| Seniors | 140 KčSeniors from 65. |
| Visitors with disabilities | 140 Kčcompanion free · Holders of ZTP and ZTP/P cards; the guide of a ZTP/P holder enters free. |
| Students & apprentices | 140 KčYoung people aged 18–24. |
| Groups | –Educational supervision (1 person per 10 children) and guides of organised groups (1 person per group of 15 or more) enter free. |
| The Treasure of Prince Wenceslas (children’s game card) | 20 KčSearch for 8 animal symbols in the chambers; a reward awaits at the ticket office. The game is available from May. |
The price applies to the basic self-guided route without a guide (commentary in Czech only, printed text and plan). Payment is possible by card or in cash, and tickets can also be bought online. Booking is not necessary.
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible: not available
- Elevator: no information
- Accessible restroom: not available
- Accessible parking: no information
- Service dogs welcome: no information
- Tactile models & exhibits: no information
- Sign language tours: no information
- Easy-to-read materials: no information
- Audio description: no information
The path to the castle is stony, partly over rock and stone steps, and is not suitable for people with limited mobility or for pushchairs. The nearest reserved parking is about 1.5 km from the castle. Neither the ticket office nor the toilets are accessible, and the tour takes you across several levels with steps and uneven ground. Deaf visitors can borrow a printed text of the commentary free of charge at the ticket office.
Kids & families
Great for kids & families
| Time needed | approx. 40 min |
|---|---|
| Kids’ admission | free up to age 5 |
- Family tours & workshops
- Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
- Stroller-friendly: not available
For CZK 20, children receive the game card The Treasure of Prince Wenceslas with a plan and search the chambers for eight animal symbols. In the vassals’ palace they can sit on the throne and see a display of torture instruments. During the season there are fencing performances, and in the workshop in the courtyard you can watch a blacksmith. The path to the castle is unsuitable for pushchairs.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
Bezděz (autobusová zastávka v obci)
Buses from Bělá pod Bezdězem, Doksy and Česká Lípa stop in the village of Bezděz or at the Bezděz-křižovatka stop, and run only on working days. The nearest railway station, Bezděz, is about 3 km from the castle (about 60 minutes on foot). Walking routes branch off from the red trail (Máchova stezka) and from the green and blue trails.
By car
Paid parking · 1.5 km to the entrance
Paid car parks are run by the village of Bezděz (CZK 100 per car for the whole day): one in the middle of the village about 1.5 km from the castle and another below the village about 2.5 km away. The route continues with a steeper climb over rock, remains of walls and stone steps.
A turn-off from the main road No. 38 (Mladá Boleslav – Česká Lípa) leads to Bezděz. The stony path runs through the Velký and Malý Bezděz national nature reserve, where cycling is prohibited.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
After the climb to the castle you can get refreshments at a kiosk with drinks and light snacks. There are no bicycle stands or bicycle storage in front of the castle.
Events & venue rental
- Spaces for rent
- Weddings / ceremonies
Up to 50 guests.
Wedding ceremonies can be held in the Gothic chapel (50 people, CZK 6,200 per ceremony), in the Burgrave’s Palace and in the Templar Palace (50 people, CZK 4,200 per ceremony). Castle tours continue during ceremonies, so this must be taken into account.
Inquiries & detailsPlan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| School programs | yes |
| Photography | Photography for personal use without flash, tripod or selfie stick is allowed; filming the tour and photographing staff is prohibited. |
| Good to know | The basic route is a self-guided visit with a printed text and plan (Czech only). It covers the chapel, the royal and burgrave’s palace and the vassals’ palace, lasts about 40 minutes and is limited to 80 people at a time. The great tower can be climbed without a guide as part of an individual visit. In October 2026 guided tours take place at weekends and on public holidays at 10:30, 12:00, 13:30 and 15:00. Dogs may enter the courtyard and the self-guided tour only on a leash, and they may not enter the castle chapel. |
