Accommodation Hrad Bezděz

The poet Karel Hynek Mácha fell in love with the countryside around the village of Doksy in the Česká Lípa district so much that he set the plots of many of his famous poems here. Consequently, many significant places were named after him, such as Máchovo jezero, as well as the entire region Máchův kraj. This part of the Liberecký kraj is a popular destination visited year-round by tourists from both the Czech Republic and abroad. One of the attractions, especially for history lovers, is the ruin of hrad Bezděz, which towers above the village of the same name.

Hrad Bezděz was founded by King Přemysl Otakar II in the second half of the 13th century. It is known as the place where Václav II was imprisoned at a young age. During the following period, several noble families resided in the castle: the Berkové, the lords of Michalovice, the lords of Cimburk, the Vartenberkové, and the Valdštejnové.

At the beginning of the Thirty Years' War, hrad Bezděz was damaged. Albrecht z Valdštejna briefly attempted to save it, but he ultimately did not complete his plan to rebuild the castle into a modern fortress. For a time, the castle was an important pilgrimage site, but subsequently, it only fell into disrepair and gradually turned into a ruin. At present, however, it is one of the best-preserved ruins in the Czech Republic.

Even though the "tooth of time" has left its mark on hrad Bezděz, one can still see the intact remains of several palaces, fortifications, and two towers. The space of the castle chapel is also exceptional. Thanks to the National Heritage Institute, a roof reconstruction took place at hrad Bezděz at the beginning of the 20th century, and the castle was subsequently sold for a symbolic price to the Klub československých turistů. They also continued with the rescue and repairs of the castle. In 1953, the castle was transferred to state heritage care.

Visitors who wish to visit hrad Bezděz may take advantage of the period from the beginning of April to the end of October. The tour takes place without a guide. Visitors can orient themselves using a printed plan of the castle. You will visit the castle chapel, as well as the royal, manorial, Templar, or burggrave's palace. The latter palace served as the residence for the castle administrators. The most prominent of these administrators was the knight Oldřich Tista z Libštejna, with whose help King Charles IV managed to establish a pond near Doksy, today's Máchovo jezero.

Hrad Bezděz lies in the Chráněná krajinná oblast Kokořínsko - Máchův kraj. It is part of the Přírodní rezervace Velký a Malý Bezděz. Several endangered species of plants and animals can be found here, such as a population of the alpine longhorn beetle. Therefore, it is necessary to follow certain rules associated with visiting nature reserves and protected landscape areas. Only through this can we preserve the natural environment for our fauna and flora, with the prospect of further development.

Hrad Bezděz itself was an inspiration for other significant artists besides Karel Hynek Mácha. You can see it in paintings by Josef Mánes, Alois Bubák, and Cín Jelínek. It also appeared in the libretto by Eliška Krásnohorská, subsequently in the opera Tajemství by Bedřich Smetana, and also in a series of historical detective novels by the author Vlastimil Vondruška. Children will also find something to enjoy. The castle of Bezzub, which you certainly know from the popular comic strip by Jaroslav Němeček, is in fact hrad Bezděz. One of the longest-running comic strips in the Czech Republic, Čtyřlístek, even acquired its own Muzeum Čtyřlístku in Doksy.

In addition to the castle, the museum, and the lake, you can visit many other interesting places here. Start in Doksy with a visit to the chateau, which includes the aforementioned museum, and you can continue to the Muzeum Karla Hynka Máchy. During summer days, you will enjoy water fun at Máchovo jezero. Those who do not only enjoy swimming or water sports can have fun at the Aquapark Staré splavy, located directly on the shore of the lake.

If you are already sufficiently captivated by this region, just one thing is needed. Find a suitable place where you can rest your head at night and recharge your energy for a new day full of new experiences. For example, accommodation near hrad Bezděz is an excellent starting point. You can begin your day with history, continue through culture, and relax by the water. Comfortable apartments, cottages, guesthouses, and many campsites are waiting for you. Everyone will choose their own. So, you just need to plan the date and you can start packing. We are sure that you will definitely enjoy your time here.