Monuments in the Malá Skála Area and Surroundings

The Bohemian Paradise region is well known for its abundance of historical monuments. It is literally "packed" with castles, rock fortresses, chateaux, and grand estates of notable noble families. Some of them have been preserved almost in their original form, while others have nearly disappeared from the landscape. Their presence is only confirmed by subtle traces left in the rock foundations.

Castles Around Malá Skála

Rock Castle Vranov–Pantheon
The remains of a large rock castle from the 15th century stand on a rocky promontory and include a neo-Gothic Pantheon built in 1826. You can reach Vranov Castle by following the red tourist trail. On the way, don’t miss the Zahrádka viewpoint offering a beautiful view of the Jizera River and the Malá Skála valley. If you continue along the red trail to the western end of the ridge, you'll reach the ruins of Frýdštejn Castle, known from the fairytale The Princess with the Golden Star.

Ruins of Frýdštejn Castle
Perched on a rocky cliff high above the Malá Skála valley, this fairytale castle boasts a massive 15-meter-high tower that offers stunning views of the surrounding countryside. The castle is maintained by the municipality of Frýdštejn. From the local information centre, follow the red tourist trail along the ridge to reach the ruins. Note: the route is not suitable for strollers or wheelchairs.

Ruins of Rotštejn Castle
A rock castle from the 13th century located on the edge of the Klokočské Rocks.

Ruins of Zbirohy Castle
On the left bank of the Jizera River, near the village of Zbirohy, lie the ruins of a 14th-century castle. The remains include a cellar, rooms beneath the northern wall of the inner castle, and the foundations of a defensive tower. After the Hussite Wars, the castle became a hideout for bandits and was besieged and destroyed in 1442. According to legend, it was conquered by the “Black Knight” in the 15th century, whose spirit is said to still haunt the place.

Rock Fort Drábovna
The rock town of the same name conceals the remains of a small fortress. On the rocky platform, you can still see beam notches and small carved caves.

Chateaux in the Area of Malá Skála

Hrubý Rohozec Chateau
Originally built as a castle in 1280, it was transformed into a chateau in the early 16th century by Karel of Vartenberk. Most of the furnishings have been preserved and returned to their original positions based on 1932 photographs, giving the chateau an authentic atmosphere as if its noble owners still lived there. Tour circuits include 30 fully furnished rooms. Highlights include the library with a portrait gallery of the chateau’s owners, a medieval cellar, and a neo-Gothic dining room.
From Dolánky near Turnov, follow the red tourist trail to the chateau. While in Dolánky, don’t miss the Dlaskův statek and its exhibitions.

Malá Skála Chateau
Located on the right bank of the Jizera River, this single-storey chateau was built in the late 16th century in Renaissance style by Karel of Vartenberk. Today, however, it lacks visible Renaissance features. In the early 18th century, it was rebuilt in Baroque style, around 1810 remodeled in Empire style, and in the early 20th century underwent further changes in Art Nouveau style. The chateau is privately owned and not open to the public. It is a listed cultural monument. From the information centre, it can be reached via the green tourist trail in about 15 minutes.

Other Monuments

Chapel sv. Vavřince
Originally built in 1869 as a chateau chapel, it was renovated in 1996. Its modern interior features an altar by painter Vladimír Komárek, a Stations of the Cross series by academic painter Josef Jíra, and a glass nativity scene by artist M. Baudysová. The chapel hosts weddings, religious ceremonies, and occasional performances and concerts.

Haenke Monument
This classicist monument from 1825 once stood on what was then known as the "Manor Island," surrounded by the Jizera River. It was built in memory of Tadeáš Haenke of Chřibská, a botanist, ethnographer, cartographer, doctor, and explorer who spent much of his life in South America. He was the first Czech to launch a hot air balloon and discovered the world’s largest water lily, Victoria amazonica. His mysterious death remains unexplained, and he is buried in Cochabamba, Bolivia.
The monument was crafted in the workshop of Ignác Martinec and consists of a square base, a prismatic pedestal, and a sandstone sphere. His biography is inscribed in German on the pedestal.
You can find the monument along the path from Líšný to Malá Skála.