Státní hrad Grabštejn

About the museum

The first written mention of the castle on the rocky hill above Chotyně dates from 1286, when it was held by Ota II of Donín. In 1562 the estate was bought by court councillor and vice-chancellor Jiří Mehl ze Střelic, and from 1564 he had the Gothic castle rebuilt as a magnificent Renaissance residence. Part of the rebuilding was the Chapel of St Barbara with extensive painted decoration, which counts among the Renaissance treasures of Bohemia.

The castle later changed owners several times and was repeatedly damaged by fire. In 1655, by imperial order, the medieval tower was lowered and the fortifications were damaged. From 1704 it belonged to the Gallas family and later to the Clam-Gallas family, who made it the administrative centre of their estates, so mainly officials lived there. After a fire in 1843 the tower received a neo-Gothic spire, which it kept until 1992.

After the First World War the Clam-Gallas family set up a small family museum at the castle, and from 1934 it was open to tourists. After 1945 the property was confiscated, the army used the castle, and after its departure it fell into near ruin. Since 1990 the heritage institute has been restoring it, and the main works were completed around 2010. Today it offers tours of historic interiors from the 16th to 19th centuries, the Chapel of St Barbara, a climb up the tower and the Veterinary Museum.

Highlights

• Chapel of St Barbara with Renaissance painted decoration
• historic interiors from the 16th to 19th centuries, including an official’s flat and the hall of ancestors
• climb up the castle tower with a panoramic view of the Czech Republic, Germany and Poland
• Veterinary Museum – the only museum of military field veterinary kits in the Czech Republic
• children’s tour The Count’s Treasure, with a crossword and a reward

Permanent exhibitions

• Prohlídka grabštejnského sídla (základní okruh) – The tour leads through the historic interiors from the 16th to the 19th century and introduces the castle’s owners, their fates and the staff who ran the castle.
• Kaple svaté Barbory – Renaissance chapel with rich painted decoration whose artistic value goes beyond the region.
• Veterinární muzeum – The only museum of military field veterinary kits in the Czech Republic, which also traces the history of Czechoslovak military dog handling; it is open only on set dates.

Operated by

Národní památkový ústav, územní památková správa na Sychrově

Admission & discounts

The basic price applies to the basic route (the tour of the Grabštejn residence); every route has its own admission price. Payment is possible by card or in cash, and tickets are also sold online. Booking is required only for groups. The NPÚ annual pass can be used for most routes.

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator
• Accessible restroom
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits
• Sign language tours: not available
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

The tours are not step-free: the interiors are on the first and second floors. With prior arrangement (tel. +420 482 724 301) and your own companion, you can reach the first floor by a platform lift (for example the forester’s flat, the Chapel of St Barbara and the hall of ancestors); the second floor can be reached only by stairs. The courtyard and toilets are step-free. Parking directly in front of the castle gate must be arranged in advance (the route passes through a military area); from the lower car park an unpaved path leads, which is unsuitable for wheelchairs. For blind visitors there is a tactile model of the castle at the ticket office and a tactile booklet on request; for deaf visitors, a printed text of the commentary. The castle does not offer commentary in sign language.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
• Baby changing facilities

The children’s tour The Count’s Treasure, in which a guide in costume replaces the historical commentary, offers a crossword and a small reward. There is a nappy-changing table in the toilets. The castle also runs programmes for schools and nursery schools (an Advent programme, the Matýsek theatre, a holiday camp). The path from the car park to the gate is passable with a pushchair, but the interiors have stairs.

Getting there & parking

Cars cannot drive up to the castle gate. From the car park it is a walk along a prepared forest road (yellow hiking trail), where cycling, scooters and riding horses are prohibited. From Liberec, road E 442 leads towards Česká Lípa; the distance is about 20 km. Bicycle stands are in front of the castle and in the gateway.

Amenities & dining

• Café

In the former castle stables is the MEHL caffé Grabštejn café (coffee, homemade lemonades, wine, light snacks, cakes and ice cream); it is usually open during the castle’s visiting hours. Internet is available for tenants of the halls in the east wing.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Private parties
• Corporate events
• Weddings / ceremonies

Up to 80 guests.

The courtyard and garden (facilities, a 6 × 3 m party tent, tableware for about 60 guests) and two halls with adjoining salons in the east wing (about 80 guests, step-free access, heated in winter) are available for hire.

Plan your visit