Hrádek u Varnsdorfu

The brick building with a lookout tower is located on the Hrádek hill on the outskirts of Varnsdorf, about 45 km northeast of Děčín. The tower is located at an altitude of 467 meters and was first opened to the public in 1904.

The tower has a total height of 29 meters and an observation deck located at a height of 20 meters. A total of 90 steps lead to it and from there there is a circular view of Varnsdorf, the Lusatian Mountains, the Šluknov Uplands and a piece of the Giant Mountains in the distance.

From Varnsdorf you can get to Hrádek by driving towards the border crossing Varnsdorf / Seifhennersdorf on the street 5. května. Before the customs office, turn right onto Husitská Street, which will take you to the top of the lookout tower. A green tourist sign also leads to Hrádek.

The lookout tower is open from April to September from 10 am to 6 pm. From October to March, it is open daily except Mondays from 12 noon to 4 pm.

The castle has been the dominant feature of the town of Varnsdorf since 1904. It was established on the initiative of the Mountain Association for the Northernmost Bohemia. Its construction began on May 11, 1903 and was completed on May 15, 1904. Since its inception, this 29-meter-high observation tower has enjoyed great popularity and attendance. People came here to the restaurant and to the lookout tower until 1945.

In the period after the Second World War, Hrádek rather fell into disrepair. Although it underwent extensive repairs in 1967-69, it was rather devastated since the 1990s due to unsuccessful privatization.

Fortunately, on the initiative of representatives of Varnsdorf companies, city representatives and local citizens, the Czech-German endowment fund Hrádek-Burgsberg was established, which set itself the goal of raising 30-43 million, for which a complete reconstruction of the building would take place.

This was followed by a demanding repair, lasting two years. After it, the lookout tower was put into operation again and tourists could visit Hrádek again. In November 2001, Hrádek was declared a cultural monument by the Ministry of Culture.

In May 2004, another part of the reconstruction was completed. The roof of the main building was taken from it, the rough structure, window casings and buildings were restored. A gas and electricity connection was introduced. New sidewalks and parking spaces were built, the driveway was repaired and the local gardens were also modified.

Author: Andrea Štyndlová