Kámen Castle

Kámen Castle presents as a block-type fortress characterized by closely linked towers and palace wings, originally built in two main sections. The lower outer bailey, once approached through a slender gate tower, has mostly survived in fragments today. Portions of the surrounding walls remain on the west, southeast sides, and a basement on the northern side preserves evidence of this outer defensive area.

The castle’s main core is positioned atop a rocky outcrop, accessible via an eastern tower that marked the original entrance. A distinctive feature of the site is the trapezoidal residential tower situated on the western flank. Extending from this tower is a small, unique quarter-circular bastion, a curved defensive structure projecting westward. This form is less common in castle architecture and highlights the designers’ adaptive use of available space and defensive innovation.

A third tower-like building likely served as a kitchen and stands on the southern side of the core complex. The palace itself, initially composed of three rooms in the northwest part of the core, was expanded with a fourth section during the latter half of the 14th century, demonstrating the castle’s growth in function and status over time.

By the 14th century, fortifications enclosed the entire perimeter of the castle except for a short section of wall behind the gate tower. Some courtyard walls on the southern side show Renaissance period origins, indicating continued architectural development after the medieval phase.

Around 1670, a gallery featuring a ribbed vault—a ceiling framework with intersecting arches forming a decorative and structural pattern—was constructed on the first-floor level overlooking the courtyard. At the same time, the ceilings in the northern wing’s first floor were adorned with painted decoration, reflecting Baroque tastes brought in during the Malovec family’s residence.

In the 19th century, the castle saw Romantic style renovations. The entrance tower of the outer bailey was heightened, and a brewery building was added adjacent to it on the right. Additionally, a Neo-Gothic gate was created to the left of this tower, blending medieval forms with 19th-century historicist design.

An integral part of the castle complex is a chapel built in the 17th century, which functioned as the Malovec family burial place. This chapel’s construction continued the tradition of private noble worship spaces within castle grounds.

Today, visitors can explore the Old Palace area, with rooms furnished to reflect noble life in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Among these are the knights’ hall, family chapel, salons, bedroom, dining room, and library, each showcasing period-appropriate interiors.

Additionally, the castle houses a motorcycle museum displaying historic motorcycles manufactured between 1894 and 1928. This collection includes notable pieces loaned from the Technical National Museum in Prague, tying the site’s more recent history to broader technological progress.

Surrounding the castle is a Romantic-style park featuring a diverse collection of alpine plants, which complements the historical architecture and provides a peaceful setting around the estate.