Houska Castle (Czech: Hrad Houska) is an early Gothic castle in the municipality of Blatce in the Liberec Region of the Czech Republic, approximately 47 km (29 mi) north of Prague. It is considered one of the best preserved castles of its period.
History
The castle was built in the second half of the 13th century, likely on the orders of Bohemian ruler Ottokar II of Bohemia during his reign (1253–1278), to serve as an administrative center for managing extensive royal estates. It was constructed in an area of forests, swamps, and mountains, with no external fortifications, no source of water except a cistern for rainwater collection, and far from any trade routes. From 1584 to 1590, it underwent Renaissance-style modifications while retaining its fortress features. In the 18th century, it ceased to serve as a noble residence and fell into disrepair before being renovated in 1823. In 1897, it was purchased by Princess Hohenlohe, and in 1924 it was bought by Josef Šimonek, the president of Škoda. As of 2020, it remained owned by his descendants.
Architecture
Notable features include a predominantly Gothic chapel, a green chamber with late-Gothic paintings, and a knight's drawing room. The castle's defensive walls were built facing inward, which folklore attributes to a design intended to contain what was believed to be inside.
Myths and Legends
Folklore holds that the castle was built over a large hole in the ground described as a "gateway to Hell," allegedly so deep that no one could see the bottom. According to legend, animal-human hybrids were reported to have emerged from it, and dark-winged, otherworldly creatures were said to fly in its vicinity. One legend recounts that prisoners condemned to death were offered pardons if they agreed to be lowered into the hole; the first such person reportedly began screaming after a few seconds and, when pulled back up, appeared to have aged 30 years with white hair and wrinkles.
According to the Prague Tourism website, the castle is reputed to have various types of ghosts, including a bullfrog-human creature, a headless horse, and an old woman, as well as the remains of demonic beasts said to have escaped the pit.
Some sources also mention myths about occult involvements at the castle, including claims that occupying Nazi forces used the site for experiments involving alleged "powers of Hell." These accounts are part of local folklore and are not supported by verified historical documentation.
Present Day
The castle has been open to the public since 1999. Tourists may visit the chapel, which contains fading frescoes and murals depicting demon-like figures and animal-like beings.
In Popular Culture
Houska Castle has been featured on several television programs, including Ghost Hunters International (2009), Most Haunted Live (2010), the Travel Channel series Legendary Locations, the Discovery Channel series Expedition X (2025), and The UnXplained (2026). It also served as the setting for the Doctor Who graphic novel Herald of Madness (2019).
