Staré Hrady Castle
The rock castle Staré Hrady is located in Hraz rocks about one kilometre west of the village Příhrazy in the district of Mladá Boleslav, at an altitude of about 350 metres. Находится на tendencies towards the beautiful view and is one of a series of castles that used natural sandstone formations as a natural fortification of their territory.
There were no written sources of the castle itself and its original name. Scientific dating must therefore be based solely on archaeological findings - specifically on ceramic shards found on site. These suggest that the castle has existed since the 13th century and was still inhabited in the 14th century and at the latest at the beginning of the 15th century. In what form his history ended, it is not entirely clear.
The builders have wisely chosen a place. The castle was built on several sandstone rocks whose side walls served as a natural fortification. The projection of the building had an oval plan and on the shorter sides the individual rock parts were separated by artificial moats. Such a design approach, where the natural landscape with human construction is being rolled down, was typical of castles of this type and places.
The only thing left on the scene today was a broken remains. The core of the remains consists of two medieval buildings - lights that have been partially preserved until today. It is also possible to identify a deep object that is considered a well. On the top part there are visible remnants of the object which was partially cut directly into the rocks. While some elements of the castle remained in ruins after ordinary waste of time, a significant part of the building was destroyed by a fire - which is evidenced by a hill of carbon and ash residue.
For those who would like to visit this modest but historically valuable place, the journey is easy. The remains of the castle are located close to the red marked tourist route, which leads from the Hraz to Valejov. Their visit can be simply part of a normal walk through a landscape full of history.
Then and now
Drag the slider to compare how the landmark may have looked when it was built with the view today.
The historical appearance on the left is an AI-generated visualisation and serves as inspiration only.
Historical milestones
- 13th Century
- The existence of a castle confirmed by archaeological findings of ceramics
- 14th Century
- The castle was settled in this period
- beginning of the 15th century
- Last documented period of castle settlement
Architectural development
The castle had an oval plan and was separated from the rocks of the moat. The buildings using sandstone rocks served as part of the defense. After the fire was destroyed, only the hill remained after construction.
Historical events
In the 13th century the castle was built by gentlemen from Kravařska
After the decadence of the lords of Kravařska the castle was decrepit
Owners
Men from Kravařska
Points of interest
- The rock castle Staré Hrady is located in the Hraz rocks about one kilometer west of the village Příhrazy. - The origin of the castle and its original name have not been preserved any written sources, scientific dating is based on archaeological findings - ceramic shards. - The castle existed since the 13th century and was inhabited in the 14th century and at the latest at the beginning of the 15th century. - The builders chose a place on several sandstone rocks whose sides served as natural fortifications; He had an oval plan and artificial moats. - Today, the broken remains of two medieval buildings - lights, a deep building (well) and remains cut into rocks have been preserved.
Guide
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This text was created by artificial intelligence and has not been editorially reviewed. It may contain inaccuracies.
The rock castle Staré Hrady is located in the Příhrazské skalyrocky formations in the Mladá Boleslav district, approximately one kilometer west of the village of Příhrazy, in the direction of Krásná vyhlídka. It is situated at an elevation of around three hundred fifty meters. To distinguish it from the castle in the Jičín region, which was rebuilt into a chateau, it is also called Stará Hrada.
We do not know the original name of the castle, just as we do not know the names of other castles on the slopes of Mužský hill. Written historical sources about it are lacking. Its existence can therefore be determined only based on ceramic fragments that were found. These indicate the thirteenth and fourteenth centuries, or at the latest the beginning of the fifteenth century.
The castle stood on several sandstone rock formations. Their side walls served as fortifications. The castle's ground plan was oval and on its shorter sides it was separated from other rocks by ditches. Up to the present day, remains of two small rooms have been preserved, as well as a sunken structure, probably a well. On the summit area, there remains an object partially carved into the rock and a mound from a building that was destroyed by fire.
The remains of the castle lie close to the red-marked hiking trail from Příhrazy to Valečov.
Tips for visitors
The best time to visit is spring or autumn, when the Příhraz rocks are in the most beautiful colours and temperatures are ideal for field tourism.
Since this is a rock castle, remember to wear fixed shoes with anti-slip sole, plenty of drinking water and sun protection in the summer months.
For the best photos we recommend to use the morning or late afternoon light, which best highlights the texture of rocks and the remains of medieval fortification. The best views are from surrounding rock ranges.
In the vicinity, within half an hour from the location, you will definitely visit Valejov, a beautiful view or explore the Příhraz rocks. We recommend a game for families with children to look for medieval tracks in ruins, which children enjoy more than mere tours.
Frequently asked questions
Can the monument be visited?
This is a ruin. Such sites are often freely accessible, but some can only be visited with a guide or are closed for safety reasons. We have not verified the current situation – take care and respect any restrictions.
Where is the monument?
Location: Příhrazy, Středočeský kraj. The map on this page shows the exact spot.
Why is the monument protected?
It is listed in the Central List of Cultural Monuments of the Czech Republic as a cultural monument. It is protected as part of a larger listed ensemble.
For kids
Imagine going back to the time when the heroic lords of Kravařska ruled the great territory. The town Staré Hrady was their headquarters and main fortress. It was like a game where rabbits ruled over everyone.
How did it look here? Who lived here? What happened here? Imagine being in the 13th century when the castle was built. The lords of Kravařska had strong gates and powerful towers. They were rich people who ruled many villages and cities. They lived here with their families, services and animals.
Businesses nearby
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Events nearby
Zdroj akcí: otevřená data měst a obcí ČR (Národní katalog otevřených dat) a kalendář akcí Národního památkového ústavu.
Nearby
Příhrazy, Příhraz rocks, Valejov, Beautiful view.
Accommodation nearby
Trips and activities nearby
Guided tours, tickets and activities nearby from GetYourGuide
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Search tours and activities →Themed route
1. Příhrazy, village: The beginning of the journey in a quiet village. 2. Divine rocks, natural formation: Walk offers a fascinating view of rock shapes. 3. Beautiful view, view: Great place for panoramic views. 4. Staré Hrady, Castle: The main destination of the trip and the historic heart route. 5. Valejov, place: Final stop in the nearby area.
Seasonal recommendations
Spring: In the spring, the ruins of the Old Castle are awakened along with nature in the vicinity of the Hraz. The light is delicate in this period and highlights the details of the stone remains between fresh green leaves. The atmosphere is fresh and full of expectations. We recommend wearing layered clothes because the morning cold can quickly turn into warmer air during the day. The roads can be muddy because of spring rains, which is why quality footwear is useful. It's the perfect time for a quiet observation of blooming vegetation without large crowds.
Summer: Summer months bring to the area the most sunny hours and dense, rich green vegetation that surrounds the castle ruins. Lighting is strong and dramatic, which is great for photography, but can also be unpleasant due to heat. In the main summer season we recommend arriving as early as possible in the morning to avoid the biggest rush of visitors and the noon heat. Remember enough drinking water, headgear and solid shoes suitable for movement in uneven terrain between stones.
Autumn: Autumn visit offers the most melancholy and magical atmosphere. The colours of leaves in the surrounding forests create a golden contrast to the grey ruins, and the morning fog in the valleys adds mystery to the place. The light is low and golden, which is ideal for landscape lovers. It is necessary to prepare for variable weather and humidity, therefore waterproof jackets are necessary. There are far fewer people in this period than in the summer, which allows a deeper perception of history.
Winter: In winter, Staré Hrady has a brute and majestic effect. Without leaves, stone structures are better visible and their silhouette stands out against the grey sky or snow cover. The atmosphere is quiet and lonely, which attracts peace seekers. Due to shorter times of the day and lower temperatures, it is necessary to choose a very warm and wind-proof garment. Watch out especially for slippery roads and sudden weather changes that can make walking on ruins challenging.
Visualizations and artistic views
The visualisations are generated by artificial intelligence and serve as inspiration.
Photos from the area
Real photos taken near the monument
Zdroj a licence jsou uvedeny u každého snímku.
View from the area
This animation was generated by artificial intelligence from a real photograph of the surroundings. The motion and details are not real footage of the location.
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Sources and literature
Faktickým podkladem tohoto textu byl článek na Wikipedii, jehož autory jsou přispěvatelé Wikipedie. Článek je dostupný pod licencí CC BY-SA 4.0.
Location on the map
Příběhy a pověsti
Legendy, pověsti a příběhy spjaté s touto památkou
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