Kostalov – History, Nature and Family Experiences

Košťálov combines nature and cultural attractions with opportunities for different kinds of day trips. The municipality lies in the valley of the Oleška and is a crossroads for routes to the Krkonoše Mountains and the Bohemian Paradise. Cycle route number 4174 also passes through Košťálov. If you are looking for accommodation, you can therefore plan your trip around the landscape and cycling, local history, or activities centered on water and children.

Castle, Church and Local History

On a wooded hill opposite the swimming pool in Košťálov, the remains of the ramparts and walls of Košťálov Castle are visible. The castle was built around 1361 by the Valdštejns above the valley of the Želechovský stream and was already described as abandoned in 1514. The Church of Saint James the Greater adds another historical highlight. It was originally a Gothic church from the 14th century and was rebuilt in the Baroque style in 1717. Its older bell was cast in 1378 and is one of the oldest bells in the Czech Republic.

A Calvary group by the cemetery wall commemorates the local art history. It was created in 1820 by the local sculptor Jan Culík. Košťálov's industrial heritage is also part of its character: this includes textile factories, the mining of melaphyre and combustible shales, and three mills. Alongside sacred and medieval history, you will therefore also encounter traces of work and raw-material extraction.

The history of Košťálov thus reflects several periods in different forms: the medieval castle stands alongside sacred architectural history, local art and industrial heritage. This creates a cultural day itinerary that moves between the castle, church, memorial site and working history.

Forest Park and Swimming Pool

Košťálov Forest Park covers approximately 1.1 hectares. It has stroller-friendly paths with several stations where you can learn about life in nature. If you are traveling with children, the Košťálov leisure center complements this experience of nature with a children's traffic playground. The swimming pool in Košťálov was completely renovated in 2023. It features a large children's paddling pool with a small slide and a fountain, as well as three 40-meter swimming lanes.

The leisure facilities focus on different experiences: in the forest park, the stations draw attention to life in nature; the children's traffic playground adds a dedicated activity area to this theme; and the swimming pool combines a paddling area, slide, fountain and long lanes. This allows you to treat nature, play and exercise as different parts of a day.

Kovářův mlýn: Nature Monument and Fossil Site

Kovářův mlýn is a protected nature monument. It consists of an old shale quarry on the left bank of the Oleška, approximately 400 meters west of the church in Košťálov. The site is not fenced and is freely accessible. At the same time, Kovářův mlýn is a paleontological site with Permian flora and fauna. The location therefore combines a specific landscape form with a glimpse far back into the history of the Earth.

Further Places for Orientation

For your further travel planning, you can also consider the following places: Ohrazenice, Slana, Jestrabi V Krkonosich, Prackov, Troskovice, Stružinec, Valterice and Mirova Pod Kozakovem.

For the higher-level travel overview: Okres Semily.