Karlstejn, Czech Republic - hotels, tours, history, sights, transportation

Karlstejn

District Stredocesky Kraj
Location: Central Bohemia, approx. 50 km West of Prague, 14 km from Beroun

History in brief

Karlstejn is the most important Czech castle and one of the symbols of the Czech Kingdom.

Karlstejn was founded and built by the Czech king and Roman Emperor Karel IV (Charles IV) and was intended as a safe place for storing Royal treasures, collections of saint relics and crown jewels. In 1355 Karel IV stayed at the castle and supervised the building works and decoration of the interiors, especially chapels.

Building was finished in 1365 when the Kaple Sv. Krize (Chapel of St. Cross) located in Velka Vez (Big Tower) was consecrated. In the beginning of Hussite Wars the crown jewels were moved there due to security reasons and they stayed there for about 200 years (with short breaks).

In 1887 the architect Josef Mocker started so-called "puristic regothisation" (reconstruction) of Karlstejn. Some buildings were destroyed and some new were built and the result can be seen today. Karlstejn was open for public in 1910.

Specialities of Karlstejn

The Chapel of St. Cross is decorated with cross-shaped semi-precious stones and original wall paintings from the 14th century. There is also displayed a collection of 129 board paintings by Mistr Theodorik (the biggest collection in the world), the biggest portrait gallery of Czech governors. A unique castle well can be found at Karlstejn as well.

Guided tours

1. tour covers interiors of the Emperor's Palace and lower floors of Mary's Tower with precious furniture from the 14th - 19th centuries - Dvoreniska sin (Noblemen's Hall), Rytirsky sal (Knights's Hall) with the Chapel of St. Nicholas, the king's bedroom, Audience Hall and Dinning Hall, Treasury and former prison.
   Groups over 10 persons must book in advance, duration 50 min., maximum 55 persons in a group.
2. tour goes through the Mary's Tower and the Big Tower, The Church of Virgin Mary, The Chapel of St. Katherine, former sacristy, suspension tower bridge, gallery, library and the Chapel of St. Cross.
   Booking in advance requested for every visitor, duration 70 min., maximum 12 persons in a group.

Enquiry office

Statni hrad Karlstejn
267 18 Karlstejn
Telephone: +420-311 681 617, 311 681 695, 311 681 593
Fax: +420-311 681 211