Bělá pod Bezdězem
The village called Bělá pod Bezdězem, in which there is a Renaissance chateau, can be found just a few kilometers from Mladá Boleslav. It was founded in 1337 and immediately afterwards a fortified fortress was built near the city walls, the original form of which is unfortunately unknown and has not been preserved in any written sources.
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Interesting facts Bělá pod Bezdězem
The importance of the town of Bělá pod Bezdězem gradually declined after the end of the Hussite wars, when it was conquered several times by Catholics and Hussites, and after it was occupied by the Hussites in 1456, led by Jan Roháč of Dubá.
The construction of the local chateau was initiated by the Berk family from Dubá. Naturally, the lords who lived in Bělá did not have enough old housing to live in, so in accordance with the corresponding social status of this old family, the construction of a chateau in the Renaissance style began. Where the Gothic fortress used to be, there is now a southwest wing of the castle. It was built during the second half of the 16th century and between 1586 and 1615 a northern wing was created, followed by a southern wing.
From 1622, the chateau in Bělá pod Bezdězem was owned by Albrecht of Wallenstein, who annexed this property to his duchy of Frýdlant. The chateau remained in the possession of the Wallensteins until 1945, but with the exception of the period from the death of Albrecht of Wallenstein until 1678, when it was owned by the Carrettians.
At the end of the 17th century, the chateau was merged into one whole and remodeled in the Baroque style. Due to the fact that the seat of the Wallensteins was in nearby Mnichovo Hradiště, the chateau in Bělá pod Bezdězem was not used so often. At the end of the 18th century, a manufactory was established here, and starting in 1855, a higher forestry school was located here, which is the oldest school of its kind in Bohemia. In 1905, the chateau was architecturally rebuilt to serve as housing for Wallenstein administration officials. In 1945, the chateau was nationalized and is currently owned by the town of Bělá pod Bezdězem.
The chateau is currently used for the needs of the Museum in Bělá pod Bezdězem, which is located here, and whose exhibition captures the history of the region from prehistory to the end of the 19th century. Renaissance beamed ceilings and sgraffito have been preserved in some rooms to this day.
Author: Andrea Štyndlová