Kostalov: Hotels and Accommodation

On a wooded hill opposite the swimming pool in Košťálov, the remains of the ramparts and walls of Košťálov Castle are visible.

History

Košťálov Castle was built around 1361 by the Valdštejns above the valley of the Želechovský Brook and was already described as abandoned in 1514. The Church of Saint James the Greater in Košťálov is originally Gothic in style and dates from the 14th century; in 1717, it was rebuilt in the Baroque style. The older church bell was cast in 1378 and is one of the oldest bells in the Czech Republic.

A Calvary group created in 1820 by local sculptor Jan Culík stands by the cemetery wall. Košťálov’s local industrial heritage includes textile factories, the mining of melaphyre and combustible shales, and three mills.

Nature

Kovářův mlýn is a protected natural monument. It consists of an old shale quarry on the left bank of the Oleška, about 400 metres west of the church in Košťálov. Kovářův mlýn is not fenced off and is freely accessible. It is also a paleontological site with Permian flora and fauna.

Leisure and Water

The Košťálov leisure centre includes a children’s traffic playground. Lesopark Košťálov covers approximately 1.1 hectares and features paths suitable for prams, with several stations where visitors can learn about life in nature.

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-metre-long swimming lanes.

Geographical Location

Cycle Route No. 4174 passes through Košťálov. The town lies in the valley of the Oleška and is a hub for routes to the Krkonoše Mountains and the Bohemian Paradise.

Other places: Benecko, Končiny, Jablonec Nad Jizerou, Pelešany, Žernov U Semil, Ohrazenice, Bítouchov, Holenice

For the higher-level travel overview: Semily District.