THE CASTLE OF TOLSTEJN

The castle of Tolstejn was first mentioned in 1337 by the Johann von Guben, the chronicler of Zittau, and belongs undoubtedly to the most frequented dominants of Lusatia Mountains.

The castle was built as a part of the military defense structure of Zittau region after the death of the Czech king Premysl Otakar II. in 1278.

Probably, the first owner of the castle was Jindrich of Lipa. Since 1337 the castle was a hereditary property of Vanek of Vartemberk. Vanek died in 1367. Vanek's grandson Vaclav of Vartemberk is mentioned in 1395 as the first true occupier of the castle. The reference is the first evidence of the fact that the castle was not only an administrative center but also a residential center of the dominion.

Around 1400 the Tolstej dominion and the castle descended to Hynek Berka of Duba, one of the wealthiest Czech noblemen. During Hussite Wars the castle was owned by the Calixtines but one of its later owners, Albrecht Berka of Duba, was an ardent Catholic and an adversary of George of Podebrady. George of Podebrady ordered the castle to be seized. After many war events the Tolstejn dominion was bought in 1471 by Saxon princes Ernest and Albrecht. In 1485 the castle became the property of Haugold of Schleinitz. Georg of Schleinitz took the dominion over in 1528 and 20 years later he is associated with the founding of St. Georgenthal (today Jiretin pod Jedlovou).

In the 16th century, castles were ceasing to be permanently inhabited. In Renaissance, aristocracy began building more comfortable palaces. So even the castle of Tolstej is deserted by its owner who moves to a palace near the city of Rumburg.

The year 1607 saw the castle deserted and the Thirty Year War brought an end to its history as the castle was first occupied by the army of the Austrian emperor and then besieged and burnt down by the Swedish General Wrangel. The following years are the very end of the castle's history. The castle was often visited by burglarious knights and bandits in its history.

The period of Romanic Revival of the late 19th century arouse the interest in the history and visits of the castle ruins. In 1865 Johann Josef Münzberg rented the castle and built an inn in a Swiss manner which was in operation until 1977.

Today the castle is one of the most frequented places in our country. Great effort is made for the place to regain its importance as the center of the region which was once governed from this place. The creation of the Tolstejn Microregion is a step towards this goal.

>> Photos of castle ruins