Košátky: Castle History, Workshops and Nature

Košátky combines castle history with hands-on activities for visitors and natural features. The castle complex, workshops, an expansive orchard with about 6,000 lavender bushes and two protected old English oaks offer different themes for a trip. The local history of Nové Košátky, closely linked to the castle, is another part of the story. If you would like to combine culture with independent exploration, you can consider architectural history, practical activities and natural features as separate areas of interest.

A castle in the town centre

Nové Košátky is one of the two centres of Košátky. The castle and houses there are arranged along a short central axis. This layout offers a concrete starting point for understanding the relationship between the castle complex and the settlement: the building can be viewed in the context of the town centre rather than apart from it. For those interested in culture, this links questions about the castle with questions about the townscape.

Gothic tower and Renaissance building phases

The Košátky castle complex includes a massive tower from the Gothic fortress and interior buildings dating from two Renaissance building phases. Different architectural features therefore stand side by side: the fortress tower and the Renaissance interior buildings, constructed in two phases. Traces of sgraffito have also been preserved in the outer bailey. The term refers to a decorative plaster technique in which patterns are created by incising a surface. This detail shifts the focus from the castle’s overall form to the decoration in the outer bailey.

The origins of the settlement are also linked to the castle: Nové Košátky was founded by the castle in the second half of the 15th century. The founding of the settlement and the building phases answer different questions. The founding provides a date for the history of the settlement centre; the tower, Renaissance interior buildings and sgraffito identify specific architectural features of the castle complex. This allows you to consider the historical context and architectural forms separately, without combining them into a single building phase.

Workshops and other activities

At the Podzámčí Košátky site, visitors can make their own natural products in the potion-making workshop and bake honey gingerbread in the gingerbread workshop. The two workshops have different themes: one focuses on natural products, the other on baking honey gingerbread. Visitors can also explore the castle cellar and discover a mini-farm with animals. The activities range from making and baking things yourself to exploring. If you would like to plan these activities, check the current practical arrangements with the operator in advance.

Lavender and protected English oaks

An expansive orchard with about 6,000 lavender bushes has been planted on the Podzámčí Košátky site. Two English oaks add to the natural features of the area: one is about 500 years old and the other about 300; both have been declared protected memorial trees. Their approximate ages and protected status give each tree its own historical significance. Alongside the castle architecture, the planted orchard and two protected old trees offer concrete themes for your trip.

Getting there and finding a hotel

Košátky railway station is part of an integrated transport system. If you are considering travelling by train, check current services and ticket regulations in advance, as they may change. This helps you choose what to focus on in Košátky during your trip.

Discover more destinations: Zakopaná, Dolni Bousov, Prodašice, Střehom, Plužná, Nová Telib, Rabakov, Kovanec.

See the overview of the wider travel area: Okres Mladá Boleslav.