Frýdštejn Castle 2, Czech Republic Stock Photo

The ruins of Frýdštejn Castle can be found in the Liberec Region, Czech Republic, near the town Turnov. It is one of three castles in Jablonec nad Nisou District. A typical rock castle, it lies on the upper end of a long sandstone rock ridge, next to the village of Frýdštejn. The castle dominates the nearby Jizera river valley and the old trade route from Turnov to the north.Frýdštejn was constructed during 14th century. It is mentioned for the first time in a church source from 1385. Being owned by a Catholic it was besieged by Hussites in August 1432 but its lord had agreed to cease hostilities and later joined the Hussites. The castle had changed owners several times. After a sale in 1556 it lost its function as a watchtower and at the end of 16th century it was no longer inhabited. During the Thirty Years` War marauders, deserters, and fugitives of every kind found shelter here.