The Kostelec nad Černými lesy Castle is the main landmark of the town. The castle was first documented in 1348. Until 1549, when it was destroyed by fire, the castle served as a hunting lodge of Emperor Ferdinand I. After 1550, it was rebuilt in the Renaissance style. After 1750, baroque modifications were made. Today the castle is owned by Czech University of Life Sciences Prague and is used for social and business purposes. The neighbouring Church of Saint Adalbert is connected with the castle by a covered corridor.
The Beckov castle stands on a steep 50 m tall rock in the village Beckov. The dominance of the rock and impression of invincibility it gaves, challenged our ancestors to make use of these assets. The result is a remarkable harmony between the natural setting and architecture.
The castle first mentioned in 1200 was originally owned by the King and later, at the end of the 13th century it fell in hands of Matúš Èák. Its owners alternated - at the end of the 14th century the family of Stibor of Stiborice bought it.
The next owners, the Bánffys who adapted the Gothic castle to the Renaissance residence, improved its fortifications preventing the Turks from conquering it at the end of the 16th century. When Bánffys died out, the castle was owned by several noble families. It fell in decay after fire in 1729.
The history of the castle is the subject of different legends.