FRÝDLANT CASTLE AND CHATEAU

Frýdlant Castle, built around the middle of the 13th century, is one of the largest and most important heritage sites in North Bohemia. A large Renaissance chateau was later built onto it.

Albrecht von Wallenstein bought the Frýdlant estate in 1622 for 150 thousand gold pieces. The previous owners, the Rederns, had built up a prosperous dominion, which Wallenstein not only expanded and developed, but especially used to supply his forces. The clothiers' workshops provided fabric for uninforms and the iron hammer mills supplied the material for the troops' armaments. In 1624 Wallenstein was awarded the title of Duke of Frýdlant. During the turmoil and hardships of the Thirty Years' War, the Frýdlant duchy became a "Terra felix", or "lucky country", which managed to avoid the war until the death of Albrecht von Wallenstein. The situation changed after his assassination in 1634 and Frýdlant was alternately occupied by imperial and Swedish forces, who left behind nothing but suffering and death.

The castle contains the only authentic portrait of the duke, by Kristian Kaulfersch. The standing figure of a man in high riding boots and holding a marshal's baton leaves us in no doubt that this was a confident man who played an important role on the battlefields of the Thirty Years' War. The exhibition dedicated to Wallenstein is complemented by other family portraits, and the depiction of Wallenstein's horse bearing the inscription "My darling" is also unique. The fact that Wallenstein came from an old Czech family is evident from the painted "family tree".

In 1801 Frýdlant Castle was the first castle in Central Europe to be opened up to the public and Albrecht von Wallenstein himself was one of the greatest attractions for visitors. And he still is to this day.