- Address: 267 18 Karlštejn, Czech Republic
- Phone: +420 311 681 617
- Official website: hrad-karlstejn.cz
Karlštejn is a castle in the Gothic style in the Czech Republic , built near Prague . The complex was erected in the XIV century to store royal regalia and other attributes of power collected by Charles IV. The fortress is an important historical object not only for the Czech Republic, but also for the whole of Europe.
General information about the castle
The castle was erected in 1365 in the picturesque Czech town of Karlštejn . Charles IV, possessing a large collection of imperial insignia and all sorts of relics, decided that it is necessary to build a worthy repository for them. For this, the best architects and masters of the Czech Republic were drawn. The place for the castle was chosen no less majestic than its destination - terraces on the rock above the Berounka river. The fortress Karlstejn rises regally over the city, as if its crown.
Despite the fact that the complex is an important historical site, it did not take its place on the UNESCO World Heritage list. This was due to the restoration in 1910, which significantly changed the appearance of the castle - it lost its architectural value.
The complex consists of several buildings, each of which played an important role:
- The Imperial Palace;
- Chapel of the Holy Cross;
- The Marian Tower;
- Well Tower;
- The Great Tower.
Excursions
The castle complex is one of the most interesting tourist sites, and due to its close location to the capital there are always many people who want to see it. Excursions are sent from Prague to Qarshlain, during which you can learn all the secrets of the fortress and take a leisurely stroll through the picturesque town, which managed to preserve the old spirit.
Near Prague are several fortresses, so for those who want to get acquainted with the most interesting of them one can choose a castle excursion and visit the castles of Krivoklat , Karlstejn and Konopiště .
In the castle Karlstejn there are three excursions:
- Base tour. It takes 55 minutes. During this time, guests have time to visit the chambers of the emperor who founded the castle, see the interiors of the castle Karlstejn, and visit the Marian Tower. The tour is held from February to August. The ticket price is $ 15.20.
- Exclusive tour. It lasts 1 hour and 40 minutes. Visitors can see the most important rooms in the castle and rooms with antique furniture. The tour ends at the Chapel of the Holy Cross. It retains original paintings and interior. The ceiling of the Chapel is surrounded with gold and decorated with precious stones. This is the most interesting and popular tour among tourists, so tickets must be booked in advance. It is held from May to October. The cost is $ 26.75.
- Group tour. It lasts 30 minutes. A group of up to 20 people visits the hall with Karlstejn's Treasures. The cost of the tour is $ 12.
During the whole year an exhibition hall is opened, which gives an opportunity to get to know the castle on its own and find out the most interesting facts.
Excursions in Russian are held only once a day, the exact time should be specified at the time of booking. In the rest of the time you will have to use the audio guide and go to the Czech group.
Visit to the castle
Inside the courtyard of the castle Karlstejn there are souvenir shops where you can buy:
- magnets and booklets;
- dishes with a photo of the castle Karlštejn and other outstanding sights of the Czech Republic ;
- postcards with the image of the city of Karlštejn and the fortress.
From here comes the road to the lower tier of the complex, where the Well of the Well is located. It also has a shop with souvenirs, but more expensive is pottery. It is made by local craftsmen, and it is suitable for cooking. But the most interesting object for tourists in the Tower is a well 78 m deep. It was the main source of water in the castle.
The well-known tower is also loved because, standing next to it, you can see the whole city from above, as well as the whole complex. Here are great photos.
The operating time of the castle Karlštejn varies depending on the month of the year. The shortest sightseeing days from November to February - from 10:00 to 15:00. In the remaining months the castle is open for visits from 9: 00-9: 30 and until 16: 30-18: 30.
Legends of the castle Karlštejn
The old castle is shrouded in legends and secrets. Karlštejn accompanies several legends that every inhabitant of the city knows, and guides with pleasure tell them to tourists. The most famous among them is the legend about the features on Karlstejn.
It is based on real events, although it does not do without mysticism. In the 17th century Countess Katarzhyna Behinova lived in the fortress, who tortured young maids. It is believed that she killed 14 girls. Katarzyna was tried and died of starvation. The Countess's husband brutally avenged the main witness: he tied his legs to the horse and brought him to Prague. Local, seeing the ravens over Karlstejn, consider that this is the spirit of the Countess visiting the castle. Others believe that in the attic of the imperial palace, the devils wither because they led the Bloody Katarzyna.
How to get from Prague to Karlstejn by yourself?
On the map of the Czech Republic, Karlštejn Castle and Prague are separated by a distance of 28 km. Therefore, the road in the tour group by bus takes no more than 30 minutes.
You can get to Karlstejn from Prague by train. The ticket costs about $ 3.5. Modern trains less than half an hour will take you to the station Karlstejn. The only drawback of independent travel is that the station is 2 km from the fortress, but many see it as an opportunity to stroll through the picturesque surroundings. Address of the Castle Karlštejn - 267 18 Karlštejn.