Grabštejn Castle
Grabštejn Castle is nowadays a national cultural monument. However, it was not far from becoming ruins of the castle. The army was using its premises since 1954 for almost twenty years. After the crew moved to younger Dolní zámek (Nether Palace) situated lower, the castle was not taken care of and it started to decay. The castle preservation works did not start until 1990, and the restoration of the castle continued until 2010.
An unique gem from the mid-16th century can be found in the castle; it is St. Barbora Renaissance Chapel with rich whole surface paintings. The chapel as well as the renaissance layout of the castle were built due to the owner Jiří Mehl from Střelnice in the 16th century.
The original castle was built in the mid-thirteenth century by the masters from Donín, and the first record of the castle dates back to 1286. The owners of the castle were in debt and the above mentioned doctor of law, imperial court counsellor and vice-chancellor of the Kingdom of Bohemia Jiří Mehl from Střelnice bought it in 1562 and owned it until 1586. Several different owners owned the castle until 1704. Gallas family (since 1757 Clam-Gallas) bought the castle that year and the castle was a property of the family until 1945. The last male descendant of the Clam-Gallas family was František. He died in 1930 and all his property went to his seven daughters. Marie Clam-Gallas with her husband Karl Podstatzky from Lichtenstein became the owners of Grabštejn. The castle was already opened for tourist in 1943.
The castle offers several tours. Inside the castle, you can travel across the time from 20th to 13th century. You should not miss the St. Barbora Chapel, go deep down to the castle cellars and then get some fresh air by visiting the tower with the view to Bohemia, Germany and Poland.
The access to the castle can be made from the car park below the castle, or even better one is from the car park near Dolní zámek.