Staré Hrady brings together fairy-tale worlds and a castle complex. The complex combines a Gothic castle, the work of the Parler workshop and an adjoining Renaissance chateau. Alongside this historical focus, there are exhibitions and fairy-tale tours with their own characters and themes. When planning your visit, you can first decide whether you would rather explore architectural history and historical ways of life or the chateau’s fictional worlds.
Castle Complex and Regional Setting
The historic complex lies in a gently shaped valley in the south of Český ráj. Staré Hrady is on the border of the Český ráj and Jičínsko tourist areas. Figurative sgraffito has been preserved in the forecourt. The complex therefore brings together different architectural features: the Gothic castle, the adjoining Renaissance chateau and the decorative details of the forecourt.
History and Themed Tours
The tour “How People Lived in the Time of Emperor Franz Joseph I” presents many thousands of exhibits about the lives of ordinary people, townspeople and the nobility during the heyday of the Habsburg Monarchy. The exhibition thus focuses on different social groups and their ways of life. This is a different focus from the fairy-tale-themed tours, which feature magic, fantastical characters and narrated stories.
The Zámecké pohádkové sklepení is a fairy-tale trail that you can explore independently and at your own pace. In 2021, sound and lighting effects were added to the trail. In the Hradní pohádková půda, the “FAIRY TALE II” tour tells stories of the wizard Archibald I, featuring witches, magical grandmothers, ghosts, little spooky creatures and goblins.
In the Dračí královská komnata, visitors are welcomed by dragon king Rozumbraďák XVI, Queen Starostlinda and the dragon princesses Lajdalína, Trajdalína and Rozcaplína. Zdravosvět a Dračí království offers another thematic focus: in the chateau rooms, the educational and entertaining “FAIRY TALE III” tour explores the world of health. In good weather, you can also take part in a course on flying a magic broom in the Hradní pohádková půda.
At the Čarodějná Bestyjola, witches and magical grandmothers care for live animals. A fairy tale is also told there, explaining why the travelling carriage is divided. The animals kept there may change; if this part of the visit is important to you, check the latest information before your trip.
Plan Your Visit
The attractions cater to different interests: the exhibition tour focuses on life in the Habsburg Monarchy, while the fairy-tale tours feature wizards, dragons and other characters. Architecture and sgraffito offer another focus. You can choose what to see based on which side of Staré Hrady you would like to discover more closely.
In the oldest part of the castle, you can sample Starohradská medovina. Hrad a zámek Staré Hrady is open year-round; check the seasonal opening hours before your visit.
Discover more destinations: Staré Smrkovice, Holovousy, Lískovice, Jičín, Chyjice, Meziluzi, Podkost, Mladějov
For the overview of the wider area: Jičín District.
