Accommodation Hrad Houska

The mysterious Hrad Houska can be found in the eastern part of the Kokořínsko region, in the cadastral area of Houska, which falls under the municipality of Blatce. Thanks to its quick accessibility from Prague (less than 50 kilometres), this castle enjoys high visitor numbers for one-day trips, yet it is also a popular tourist destination during longer stays in Severozápadní Čechy. Currently, Hrad Houska is protected as a cultural monument of the Česká republika and is one of the best-preserved castles.

On the site of the present-day castle, there originally stood a fortified settlement. It was commissioned by Slavibor of the Pšovan family for his son, Houska. The contemporary Hrad Houska was built during the reign of Přemysl Otakar II sometime in the first half of the 13th century, concurrently with the nearby hrad Bezděz. It served as an important royal castle, but it subsequently passed into the possession of the nobility, a state that lasted until 1924. Following this, the castle came under the administration of Václav II, and was later owned by the lords of Dubá, the Hrzán family of Harasov, the Valdštejn family, the Kounic family, and many others.

During the succession of owners, Hrad Houska underwent several structural modifications. From an originally impregnable Gothic castle, it gradually passed through all styles, including late Romanesque. The current appearance of Houska could be characterised as a Renaissance château with elements of a Gothic castle.

In 1924, the castle was purchased by the president of the Škoda works, Mr Josef Šimonek. He carried out the necessary modifications at Hrad Houska and used it as a representative family residence until 1939. Due to its location in the Sudety region, it was used by the German army until the end of the Second World War. Since 1950, the archive of the Státní knihovna in the Klementinum has been housed at Hrad Houska. At the beginning of the 1990s, the castle was returned to the original owners through restitution – Ing. Jaromír Šimonek and MUDr. Blanka Horová.

It was precisely during this period (1999) that Hrad Houska was opened to the public. It became a venue for various cultural and social events, such as fairs, where visitors may encounter swordsmen and dancers or try their hand at various period crafts. Performances by singers and musicians will delight the ears, and a wealth of interesting information can be learned by visiting one of the permanent or seasonal exhibitions.

Hrad Houska may be visited from April to October. During the tour, a guide will lead visitors through typical sets of Gothic three-part apartments, spiral staircases, and a gallery in the courtyard. Probably the most valuable part is the closed rectangular chapel with preserved wall paintings from the first half of the 14th century, as well as the so-called Zelená komnata, which also contains original paintings from 1520. Also very interesting are the hunting salon with fallow deer trophies, the knights' hall, and the dining room with a ballroom, all of which have undergone extensive restoration.

Visitors should certainly not miss the separate tour circuit Dantovo peklo. It is located in the premises of the former carriage house and consists of a sound-enhanced and hand-carved depiction of Dante Alighieri's Divine Comedy. Karel Hynek Mácha also placed his novel Cikáni at Houska after he happened upon the site with his friend Eduard Hindl during his journey to hrad Kokořín.

The surroundings of Houska are not particularly opulent, though a smaller ornamental garden can be found here. It was founded around 1590, when Tobiáš z Harasova resided here. Currently, several woody plants grow here, among them interesting Caucasian firs, pines, and a number of cypresses. In any case, it makes for a pleasant trip, which can be combined with visits to other attractive places in the Kokořínsko region.

These may be castles, châteaux, or natural attractions, but also visits to various towns or picturesque villages. For example, Doksy offers a great deal. Among other things, visitors will find the Muzeum Karla Hynka Máchy, the Muzeum Čtyřlístku popular with children, and last but not least, Mácháč, also known as Máchovo jezero. Here, both young and old can enjoy themselves on the water and on land, in winter and in summer.

The entire Kokořínsko and Máchův kraj regions are popular tourist destinations. A number of high-quality accommodation facilities can be found here as well. We are happy to assist with their selection. Are you looking for accommodation near Hrad Houska? There is nothing simpler than choosing whether cottages and chalets, apartments, or private accommodation suit you best. Or do you prefer hotels and guesthouses? Do not worry, campsites are also available for less demanding travellers. The choice is entirely up to you.