CastleXPlorer

Bezděz Castle in Czech Republic

The Bezděz Castle is a medieval castle located on the phonolite hill of Velký Bezděz about 20 kilometres southeast of Ceská Lípa, Czech Republic. The castle was built by Přemysl Otakar II between 1264 and 1278. After passing through hands of several owners the castle came into the possession of Albrecht of Vallenstein in the 1620's who renovated it and later turned it into a monastery.

During the War of the Austrian Succession (1740–1748) the castle was sacked and abandoned after dissolution of the monastery in 1785. Afterwards the Bezděz Castle fell into decay and was by the middle of the 19th century in ruins. Parts of the castle were renovated and some parts of it are today accessible to the visitors.