Old Bernštejn

The ruins of Old Bernštejn Castle stand on a basalt hill above the village of Vrchovany. The castle was founded in the early 15th century, and is most commonly attributed to Jindřich Hlaváč of Dubá. The first written mention of the stronghold dates from 1437. It later passed into the hands of the Lords of Vartemberk before returning once again to the Berkas. Between 1558 and 1567, Adam Berka of Dubá and Lipá had the more comfortable New Bernštejn Renaissance Chateau built nearby, replacing the original castle as the family residence. Old Bernštejn then quickly fell into decline and ceased to be inhabited, bringing its role as a noble residence to an end in the late 16th century. Over time, local people dismantled parts of the castle and reused the stone to build their houses.

The surviving remains include a rectangular residential tower, the remains of the outer bailey, and sections of the walls and bastions. The castle is now privately owned. The owner maintains the site and occasionally allows access by prior arrangement.