- Type
- Castle
- Origins
- 13th century per Wikidata: founding, first mention or construction
- Style
- Renaissance architecture
- Visiting
- probably – Wikidata lists it as a museum or gives tickets, opening hours or visitor numbers; check before you go
- Coordinates
- 50.4910°, 14.6242°
History
The castle was founded in the second half of the 13th century, most likely by King Ottokar II, as an administrative centre for the surrounding royal lands, but the nearby Bezděz, built by the same workshop, soon took over that role. A burgrave is recorded here in 1291, and from the early 14th century Houska belonged to the Berka family of Dubá, who sold it to Jan Smiřický in 1432. In the 16th century the Hrzán family of Harasov turned the Gothic stronghold into a Renaissance residence without losing its fortified look. During the Thirty Years' War it was briefly held by friends of the exiled Berkas, and its owners included Albrecht von Wallenstein. After the war the defences and outer bailey were pulled down; the Kaunitz family repaired the castle in the 19th century, and in 1924 it was bought by the industrialist Josef Šimonek, whose descendants still own it.
What to see
The castle is privately owned and has been open to visitors during set hours since 1999. The tour includes the Gothic chapel with faded wall paintings, in which some see demon-like figures, the Green Chamber with late Gothic murals and the knights' hall. Although the outer fortifications have gone, the Gothic walls of the palaces survive to above the second floor.
Wikipedia article Official website Wikidata Q366448
Popularity: articles about this site in 11 Wikimedia projects (Wikipedia language editions and others).