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History & Mysterious Forces
Dear friends and guests,
We hope that on these pages you will find everything you wanted to know about the mysterious Houska Castle and that you will visit us as soon as possible. Don’t miss the picturesque landscape of the Kokořín region and a visit to this beautiful historical monument. Whatever you decide, we look forward to seeing you at Houska.
Among other things, we recommend our Peklem (no, that’s not a typo). HELL is a hand-carved limewood mechanical inferno, a unique piece loosely inspired by Dante’s Divine Comedy, specifically the first part of Hell. Twelve meters long and two meters high, it gave ample space for eleven images of hellish punishments for earthly sins.
Detailed history
Mysterious forces
Take a walk through hell
Inferno
INFERNO is a hand-carved limewood mechanical inferno, a unique piece loosely inspired by Dante’s Divine Comedy, specifically the first part of Hell. The twelve-metre length and two-metre height gave ample space for eleven images of hellish punishments for earthly sins.
- Outside the castle's main tour circuit.
- Alone, without guide.
- Located in the former carriage house.
- An echoed, hand-carved moving work.
- Based on Dante Alighieri's Divine Comedy from the early 14th century.
Take part in
Calendar of events
April - September
Exhibition of paintings ''OUR LIFE IN COLOUR''
Květuše Burešová and Zuzana Muzikant Jeřábková in the tour route of the castle.
0129.3-1.4.
Castle opening for the 2024 season
02Days of private castles and chateaus
At 10 am, a tour of the castle with the owners.
0325.5.
28.5.-2.6.
Exhibition of replicas of cold and firearms
04The Plastic People of the Universe
From 7 p.m., the legendary PPU recording ''Egon Bondy'', which was made at Houska Castle, celebrates its 50th anniversary! Concert by PPU, Svatopluk and Jaroslav Hutka.
0529.6.
6.7.-7.7.
Gothic Fair
Historical fencing group BOHEMICA SANGUIS and dance group AMBROSIA.
06Fair with music of ancient times
Music of ancient times with costumes and instruments - group ŘEDMIH.
0713.7.-14.7.
27.7.-28.7.
Bohnice on Houska
Crafts performed by clients and therapists of PN Bohnice and other workshops.
08Renaissance Fair
Historical fencing group BOHEMICA SANGUIS and dance group AMBROSIA.
0917.8.-18.8.
24.8.-25.8.
Devil's Fair ''Before the Gate to Hell''
...will you dare to join ''Them'' in the Underworld?
10Castle Concert
Chamber Orchestra of the Dvořák Region. From 19:00.
1114.9.
28.9.
Historical jousting
Fencing, weapon demonstrations and from 15:00 before the last tour there is also...!?
12Permanent exhibition
Dante's Inferno
Outside the main tour of the castle, separately, in the former coach house. A sounded, hand-carved moving work based on Dante Alighieri's Divine Comedy from the beginning of the 14th century.
13 Fly through history in points
Historical milestones
Foundation of the castle
The castle was built on the site of the original 9th century hillfort in the late Romanesque style.
Buying a castle
In 1924 J. Šimonek bought the castle. Between 1929 and 1930 the castle was repaired and reconstructed.
World War II
Houska Castle seized, since 1943 as a depository of Jewish and Masonic books.
Participation
Returning Houska Castle to its original owners and opening it to the public
Click the links
Our partners
Chateau Stránov
The Neo-Renaissance chateau Stránov stands on a promontory above the Skalský brook near the village of Jizerní Vtelno in the Mladá Boleslav region of Central Bohemia. Navštivte jej a budete okouzleni malebným místem i nádhernou architekturou.
Visit it and you will be enchanted by the picturesque place and beautiful architecture.
Link to website
Court Lobeč
Visit the website of Ing. Jaromír Šimonek Dvůr Lobeč doing business in agriculture, forestry, tourism and professional hunting. If you are looking for accommodation and other services during your wanderings in nature, then you are at the right address.
Link to website
Weddings at the chateau
In her youth, every girl wanted to spend her wedding day as a princess. Close your eyes and dream again... and when you open your eyes, click on the link above. You can have your dream wedding in a castle or chateau...
Link to web site
Wine at the chateau
The medieval cellar carved into the sandstone more than 500 years ago, which was originally built as a refrigerator for the Lobeč brewery, has now breathed new life, revived with wine from excellent winemakers and invites you to sit down.
Link to website
Veteran swarming
One of the many events of Court Lobeč is the traditional meeting of all fans of history on wheels. Always on the second Saturday in June, everyone meets at the Veteran Swarm in Lobč. You are cordially invited!
Link to web site
Pension and restaurant Černý Mlýn
Accommodation is available in 7 rooms with a capacity of 21 beds, the restaurant has a bar and fireplace or you can sit on the outdoor terrace with barbecue.
Link to web site
Read online
Written about us
Houska Castle is a mysterious place with a gateway to hell.
Each castle has its own charm and hides many secrets. This is no different...
A moving inferno frightens visitors to Houska.
A hell made of lime wood scares and fascinates visitors at Houska Castle.
Houska: the most mysterious castle in the Czech Republic.
A castle with an interesting history shrouded in many mysterious legends.
A room was unveiled at Houska Castle.
The walled room, known only to a few insiders, was uncovered at Houska Castle.
When you can arrive
Opening hours
OPEN including holidays
(29.3.2024 - 1.4.2024, 28.10.2024)
- Guided tours every hour and only with a guide.
- The last tour and entry to the outer courtyard is always one hour before the end of opening hours.
- Dante's Inferno: Outside the main tour of the castle, separately.
| April | Saturday, Sunday | 10:00 - 17:00 |
| May | Tuesday - Sunday | 10:00 - 17:00 |
| June | Tuesday - Sunday | 10:00 - 17:00 |
| July | Tuesday - Sunday | 10:00 - 18:00 |
| August | Tuesday - Sunday | 10:00 - 18:00 |
| September | Tuesday - Sunday | 10:00 - 17:00 |
| October | Saturday, Sunday | 10:00 - 16:00 |
Contact us
Contact persons
Castellan of the Castle
- Ing. Miroslav Konopásek
- +420 728 351 101
- +420 721 844 933
- houska.kastelan@centrum.cz
- Houska 1, 471 62 p. Okna
Commercial Affairs
- Ing. Zuzana Pavlíková
- +420 315 693 321
- +420 606 406 308
- info@dvur-lobec.cz
- Dvůr Lobeč, Lobeč 2, 277 36 Lobeč
Come visit us
How to reach us
By car
Two roads lead to the castle: from Blatce (or Tubože) and from Kruh. You can get about 700 meters from the castle to a large parking lot. Then it is a comfortable 10-minute walk to the castle gate.
By bike or on foot
If you choose this option, you are certainly a savvy hiker and you will find the castle. We can make it easy for you and take you to the castle gate: GPS coordinates 50.4904153N, 14.6237242E
Public transport
Timetables are seasonal. But don't rely too much on public transport. There is no train stop, the bus is closest to Blatka, Tubož, the pond on the road II/259.
