Rostejn Castle

Rostejn Castle - Hrad Roštejn, Doupe, Vysocina Region, Czech Republic.

This Gothic-Renaissance hunting seat rises atop a rocky hill 677 meters above sea level, set within the romantic landscape of the Javořice Highlands. The castle was built continuously throughout the 14th and 15th centuries by the Lords of Hradec. Its name (originally written in German as *Rosenstein*) alludes to the founding family's coat of arms—a golden five-petaled rose on a blue field. While likely intended as a hunting lodge from the outset, the castle appears to have also served a defensive function during its early years. In the second half of the 16th century, the then-owner, Zachariáš of Hradec, commissioned a reconstruction of the structure. Subsequent owners included the Slavata family of Chlum and Košumberk, the Liechtenstein-Kastelkorn family, and the Podstatský-Liechtenstein family. In 1915, Roštejn burned down after lightning struck the castle tower. Following World War II, the property—along with the entire Telč estate—was nationalized. Major repairs began in 1958, and a portion of the castle was opened to the public in 1969. By then, Roštejn was under the administration of the Jihlava Museum, which opened the remainder of the castle to visitors in 1982 following further renovations. The most recent major reconstruction and the associated redesign of the exhibitions took place between 2017 and 2020, funded through the IROP program. The castle is currently owned by the Vysočina Region and managed by the Museum of Vysočina in Jihlava (a contributory organization). The interiors display artifacts from the Jihlava museum and its branches; with few exceptions, the castle's original furnishings have not survived.