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Helfštýn Castle was originally meant to be just a short stop on a longer route, but it turned out to be a fantastic place that made a huge impression on us! The relatively good condition of the castle, great location, and stunning views are just the beginning of the many reasons to visit this site!
Location
Helfštýn Castle is located in the Czech Republic, in the Olomouc Region. The nearest town is Týn nad Bečvou, and the larger nearby city is Lipník nad Bečvou. The castle lies close to the D1 motorway, about 10 kilometers from the nearest exit.
At the foot of the castle hill, there is a parking lot that costs 100 CZK per day. From there, it’s a short walk to the castle gate—approximately 400 meters with an elevation gain of around 45 meters. After crossing the drawbridge and passing through the first gate, you’ll reach another entrance gate where you can purchase tickets.
Opening hours and ticket prices
Helfštýn Castle welcomes visitors all year round, but it’s best to check the current opening hours on the official website. In 2024, the castle was open in March and November on Saturdays and Sundays from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM. In April, September, and October, it was open daily except Mondays from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM. From the beginning of May until the end of August, opening hours extended to 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM.
Ticket prices vary depending on the season. During the off-season (March and November, excluding the Easter Event), adult tickets cost 80 CZK. Pupils, students, and seniors pay 40 CZK. A family ticket (2 adults + up to 3 children) costs 150 CZK. It’s worth noting that the palace is closed during these months.
In the main season (April to October), adults pay 150 CZK, pupils, students, and seniors pay 80 CZK, and a family ticket costs 300 CZK. Children under 6 years of age, teachers accompanying school groups, and museum staff can enter free of charge.
The ticket price includes a guided tour, provided a group of at least 5 people is formed. Tours start from the second courtyard at the top of each hour. The last tour begins one and a half hours before the castle closes.u.
Helfštýn Castle and Its History – A Brief Overview
The origins of the castle date back to the 13th century, and it was likely founded by Friduš of Linava. Many historians believe he took control of the land illegally. The original fortress measured approximately 30 by 50 meters. Around 1320, the estate was taken over by Vok of Kravaře, and the nearby town of Lipník was also part of the domain. Over the years, the castle underwent numerous expansions, with one of the most significant being its transformation into a Gothic stronghold at the turn of the 14th and 15th centuries. It was never captured during the Hussite Wars.
In the mid-15th century, the castle was acquired by Vok of Sovinec, who sold it less than 20 years later to Albrecht, Zdeněk, and Jan Kostka of Postupice. Later, it was purchased by Vilém of Pernštejn. During his and his son’s ownership, the castle was expanded significantly once again. In 1554, the estate was bought by Půta of Ludanice, and then passed to Hynek Bruntál of Vrbno. Under their rule, the Renaissance palace was completed.
During the Thirty Years’ War, the castle was besieged twice, though unsuccessfully. In the mid-19th century, the first attempts were made to open the castle to tourists. At that time, pavilions, a bowling alley, and a restaurant were built. In 1865, events at the castle were banned, and by 1895 the only resident was a gamekeeper.
As part of the land reform in the 1920s, the property was transferred to the state, but in 1930, it was returned to Antonina of Althann. The last private owner was Michael Karel of Althann. In 1945, the estate once again became state property.
Since 1963, Helfštýn Castle has been protected as a cultural monument of the Czech Republic.
Sightseeing
As I mentioned earlier, Helfštýn Castle appeared on our route by chance, and we weren’t quite sure what to expect. Once we reached the castle gate, we entered and were greeted by another section of the castle with yet another gate. We often come across this kind of double-gate layout. After passing through the next gate, we wandered around and soon arrived in front of… another gate! It led to yet another part of the castle-though I’ll already admit, there was still one more ahead of us.
One of the highlights of the castle is the so-called Hussite Tower. It is located in the third courtyard, known as Kravařské předhradí. The tower has 77 steps and offers a beautiful panoramic view of the surrounding area.
The final feature that deserves a separate mention is the castle palace building. Inside, you’ll find plenty of interesting rooms and detailed information about the various stages of the castle’s history. You can explore it across multiple levels-all the way up to the top, which offers a panoramic view of the entire castle complex. The stone architecture has been complemented with glass and metal elements, which refresh the interior in a very tasteful way and also aid visitors during their tour.
Throughout the site, you’ll come across panels that provide not only historical facts but also visual reconstructions of how specific rooms might have looked, what purpose they served, and what their stories were.
The reconstruction work has been widely praised. In 2021, Helfštýn Castle was honored with the Czech Architecture Award Jury Board Prize and named Building of the Year 2021 “for the exceptionally thoughtful restoration of a historical monument, enhanced with contemporary elements, carried out with great humility, respect, and care for preserving as much of the original character of the site as possible.” And that’s just the beginning-the list of awards is much longer!
Blaksmithing
In addition to its remarkable architecture and fascinating history, Helfštýn Castle is also well known in the world of blacksmithing. It is the site of the annual Blacksmith Forum and the international gathering of artistic blacksmiths—Hefaiston. The event is organized by the Comenius Museum in Přerov in cooperation with the castle itself. Each year, hundreds of blacksmiths take part, and the gathering is considered one of the most important events in the blacksmithing world.
During the event, the reconstructed castle forge is made available to world-class artists, who have one week to create a unique work of art. These artworks have been produced for over 20 years and are used to decorate the castle’s interiors and courtyards.
In addition to these flagship events, the castle also hosts regular blacksmithing demonstrations and courses. Enthusiasts from around the world come to participate. This passion for metalwork is visible throughout the castle grounds. Many elements used in the reconstruction—such as walkways, information stands, and decorative features—are made of metal, and when combined with the brick walls and glass elements, they create a truly striking visual effect.
What’s in the area?
Helfštýn Castle rises above the Moravian Gate-a region full of interesting places to explore. Among them are the towns of Lipník nad Bečvou and Hranice, home to the famous abyss, the Zbrašov Aragonite Caves, and the Teplice nad Bečvou Spa. If you have more time, it’s also worth visiting Přerov and the city of Olomouc itself.
Is it worth visiting?
Helfštýn Castle made a big impression on us. It’s a vast complex where you can admire the remains of a once-mighty fortress towering over the surrounding landscape. The varying states of preservation and the sheer size of the structure mean you can easily spend half a day exploring it. Additionally, the creative revitalization, the use of metal elements, and the stunning views all make this a place you should definitely include in your travel plans!
