Valdštejn, considered to be the oldest castle in the Bohemian Paradise, was established approximately around 1260 by Jaroslav of Hruštice from the Markvartic family who were the ancestors of the lords of Valdštejn. The Valdštejn family owned the castle until about 1380 and the following owners, the lords of Vartenberk, until the break-out of the Hussite wars.