On the outskirts of Mladá Boleslav, along the road toward Česká Lípa, rise the atmospheric ruins of Michalovická Putna. Its striking, leaning tower is not only the site’s defining feature, but also one of the best scenic viewpoints in the entire region.
The dominant element of the castle is a cylindrical stone tower, built from remarkably regular masonry blocks, almost resembling squared stonework. Because of its shape, local tradition gave this structure the name “Putna,” a word once used for a large vessel or jug.
Perched above the romantic Jizera River valley, Michalovická Putna was a favorite destination of the Czech romantic poet Karel Hynek Mácha, commemorated here with a bronze plaque marking the centenary of his visit. The visibly tilted tower, often nicknamed the "Leaning Tower of Mladá Boleslav", draws comparisons to Pisa and is shrouded in local legend.
According to one tale, the tower’s tilt was caused by treasure hunters tunneling beneath it. Others claim the subsidence was due to unstable ground. A widely spread—but incorrect—theory attributes the leaning to blast work carried out during the construction of the nearby railway between 1863 and 1865. However, the most reliable research points to a gunpowder explosion, which likely took place long before 1738, as the true cause of the rupture and tilt.
At the entrance to the ruins, visitors can purchase souvenirs and postcards as mementos of this enchanting site. A new audio information panel now tells the story of the tower and its mysteries as part of the “Metal Trail through Mladá Boleslav”, a local educational trail connecting historical landmarks.
