The beauty of the Czech Republic is not confined exclusively to its capital city: the country offers many places to visit. One of these is Karlštejn Castle, which we will tell you about in some detail.
From Prague, it is possible to make day trips to visit castles surrounded by forests and mountains, such as Křivoklát castle in an idyllic location on the banks of the River Elbe, Podĕbrady castle, or the one we are about to describe, Karlštejn Castle located in the town of the same name and only 30 kilometres from Prague. Would you like to know why this trip (Pin and Travel) is worth making?
Karlštejn, one of the Czech Republic’s most important castles
Before you visit this building, it is worth knowing a few details about its origins. To do that, you need to go back to 1348, when the king of Bohemia and Holy Roman Emperor Charles IV ordered the castle to be built. He planned to turn it into his private residence and to keep the royal treasure there.
No-one knows for certain who the architect was, although it is thought that it could have been Matthias of Arras, the first architect of the Cathedral of St Vitus. The architect died before the castle was completed.
Once the works were completed in 1365, a ceremony was held to consecrate the Chapel of the Holy Cross in the Great Tower. This was the most important part of the entire complex, as it was where the crown jewels were kept, as well as Charles IV’s precious relics. According to legend, the Emperor’s reverence for this place was such that he used to enter barefoot. The treasure was eventually moved to Prague during the Thirty Years’ War.
Over the years, Karlštejn Castle underwent various remodellings. In 1480, a rebuilding was undertaken which adhered to the style of the declining Gothic movement; in the sixteenth century the renovations bore the imprint of the Renaissance style; and finally, the architect Josef Mocker succeeded in returning the ancient spirit of the work with his nineteenth-century neo-Gothic restoration, resulting in the building we see today.
Karlštejn Castle stands on a hill, and is surrounded by a forest. It is an imposing fortress whose towers and walls (which are in an excellent state of conservation) transport the visitor back into the distant past.
What can you see at Karlštejn Castle?
The picture-postcard view as one climbs the path leading to the castle is worthy of being framed. The path leads among cottages, and reveals beautiful panoramic views of the building, which you can photograph from any angle you like.
It takes half an hour to reach the gates of the fortress. Only guided visits are allowed (available in English, Czech or German), and visitors can have three options, depending on what they are interested in seeing:
- Basic tour. This includes the historic interior of the imperial palace’s first and second floors, the emperor’s private apartments. This tour option also allows you to see the first floor of the Mariana Tower, which retains its original furniture dating from between the fourteenth and nineteenth centuries. The tour also includes the chapel of Saint Nicholas, the banqueting hall, the bedrooms, St Wenceslaus’ chapel and the prison. You will also go into the castle’s treasure house where there is a copy of Saint Wenceslaus’ crown—the crown which has been worn by all the kings of Bohemia. This tour lasts approximately 55 minutes.
- Exclusive tour. There is no doubt that this is the most impressive tour of all, as you will visit the east wing of Karlštejn Castle and the second floor of the Mariana Tower, along with the Church of the Virgin Mary and St Catherine’s chapel. In the east wing, you will have the opportunity to go up into the Great Tower via a staircase decorated with original medieval murals. This is where the famous Holy Cross Chapel is located, on the second floor of the tower. This is the true heart of the castle, a beautiful space flooded with light and highly decorated. In addition, you can go up to the top of the Great Tower, where you can enjoy impressive panoramic views. This visit lasts about one hour and 40 minutes.
- Views from the Great Tower. This tour includes only the ascent up the Great Tower, without visiting the Chapel of the Holy Cross. You will see the medieval mosaics on the staircase and the armoury before you arrive at the top to enjoy the views. This tour is shorter, around 40 minutes.
After your in-depth visit to the castle, you can take the opportunity to have a stroll through the town of Karlštejn (a popular spot with tourists), through which the River Berounka (a tributary of the River Vltava) flows. The historic quarter is packed with souvenir shops and traditional restaurants, such as the U Adama. Here you can recharge your batteries and try the local cuisine while gazing at the castle. Isn’t that a recipe for a great day out?
