Karlštejn Castle — Attraction in okres Beroun

This castle itself is a beautiful building. It's just a shame that to see the inside of the castle, you have to join a „guided“ tour.

This one hour tour is the most boring and sleep-inducing I have experienced in years. A young man recounts who was born and died when, how many children they had, and who inherited what. It reminds me of the history lessons from my youth between 1956 and 1968. Why doesn't this young man, who may find history interesting, visit ChatGpt and have it write an interesting story that is informative, exciting, humorous, and interesting?

This story could begin like this: Welcome to Karlštejn Castle: A Gothic Gem with a Royal Twist Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to Karlštejn Castle, perched dramatically on a rocky hill like a medieval eagle ready to swoop down on unsuspecting tourists! Built in 1348 by the ever-ambitious Charles IV – that's right, the King of Bohemia and Holy Roman Emperor who clearly had a thing for grandeur – this Gothic fortress isn't just a pile of stones. It's a treasure vault, a royal hideaway, and a time capsule rolled into one. As we wander through its towers and halls today, I'll share some juicy history, quirky facts, and a dash of humor to keep things lively. Think of me as your witty guide, not the stuffy history professor. Let's dive in! The Royal Beginnings: Why Build a Castle Here? Imagine it's the 14th century, and Charles IV is juggling crowns like a circus performer. He needed a safe spot for the Bohemian Crown Jewels, the Imperial Regalia, and holy relics – basically, the bling that made him emperor. So, he picks this spot 30 km southwest of Prague, overlooking the Berounka River valley. Why here? Stunning views, strategic defense, and probably because the commute from Prague was just a horse ride away – no traffic jams back then, folks! Construction kicked off in 1348 and wrapped up by 1357, with three levels: the lower for knights and staff, the middle for the emperor's digs, and the top for the sacred Chapel of the Holy Cross. Obstacle alert: Building on a steep hill meant hauling stones uphill – talk about a workout! Solution? Charles hired the best masons, like Matthias of Arras, who turned potential landslides into architectural magic.

Fun fact with a humorous spin: Charles was so paranoid about thieves that he designed the castle like a medieval Fort Knox. The jewels were locked in the chapel, guarded by massive doors and a well that's 80 meters deep – deep enough to drop your phone and never see it again. Legend has it ghosts of former guards still roam, scaring off modern-day selfie-takers!

Architectural Highlights: Towers, Chapels, and Hidden Secrets As we climb the path – yes, it's a bit of a hike, but think of the calories burned for that Czech beer later – notice the imposing towers. The Great Tower stands tall at 60 meters, offering panoramic views if you're brave enough for the stairs. Inside, the Chapel of the Holy Cross is the star: walls encrusted with semi-precious stones, gold leaf, and 129 paintings by Master Theodoric. It's like stepping into a jewel box!

Humor break: During the Hussite Wars in the 15th century, the castle was besieged, but the attackers couldn't breach it. One story claims they tried catapults loaded with... manure? Ew! Obstacle: Wars damaged parts, but solutions came via restorations in the 19th century by architect Josef Mocker, who added romantic Gothic flair without turning it into a Disney set.

Real-world example: Think Neuschwanstein in Germany, but Karlštejn is the OG – older, grittier, and with actual history, not just fairy tales.

Legends and Quirky Tales: Ghosts, Treasures, and Royal Drama No castle tour without legends! One whispers of a hidden tunnel from the castle to Prague for quick escapes – perfect for dodging boring royal dinners. Another involves Charles IV's wife, who allegedly disguised herself as a man to sneak in during a "men-only" phase. Talk about gender-bending...

Located about 30 kilometers southwest of Prague, Karlštejn Castle started life in 1348 and has since risen in the ranks to one of the best castles in the Czech Republic.

Karlštejn Castle was founded by the Charles IV, King of Bohemia and Holy Roman Emperor as his private residence and a place of safekeeping royal treasures, especially his collections of holy relics and the Imperial Crown Jewels. In 1355 Charles IV stayed here for the first time, overseeing the construction and decoration work, especially in chapels. The construction was completed in 1365 when the Chapel of the Holy Cross in the Great Tower was consecrated.

The Chapel of the Holy Cross was the place of safekeeping the imperial crown jewels until 1420 when the Hussite wars (religious civil war) began, and they had not ever returned to Karlštejn Castle. After the wars in 1436, the Bohemian crown jewels were taken to the Chapel of the Holy Cross where they remained till 1619.

The castle was a representative residence of Charles IV and his son Wenceslas IV only, i.e. till 1419. As a fortress, Karlštejn Castle protected the crown jewels, holy relics, and royal archives till the 17th century.

After 1480 the castle was rebuilt in the late Gothic style, in the last quarter of the 16th century in the Renaissance style. During the last reconstruction that took place at the end of the 19th century (by architect Josef Mocker) in the spirit of purism, the castle gained its present appearance.

The preserved original stair-arrangement of individual castle buildings is very impressive. The lower section with a small courtyard by the Well Tower and the Burgrave´s House continue through the majestic five-storey Imperial Palace and the Marian Tower. At the highest point, the construction of the castle culminates in a monumental, 60-meter-high Great Tower and its massive fortifications.

An unique original 14th-century wall decoration, a set of 129 paintings created by Master Theodoric in the Chapel of the Holy Cross (the largest in the world), the largest portrait gallery of kings of Bohemia in the Czech Republic, a replica of the royal Crown of Bohemia, a unique castle well. The castle is also famous as a set to a comedy play Night at Karlštejn Castle by Czech poet Jaroslav Vrchlický.

After centuries of lying in near ruin, much needed restorative work has restored the Gothic castle to all its former glory, making it an immensely popular destination. The bustling tourist crowds are a stark contrast to the peaceful surrounding countryside which offers views of Karlstejn’s stunning exterior.

From November, 01st, 2021 to March, 31st, 2022 the castle is closed to the public, including the garden.

Some photos coutersy of...

Karlstejn Castle may not have a lot of history to back it up, considering it was constructed in less than 10 years and served as a storage for crowns and jewels rather than an official residence, but it's worth a day trip from Prague. If you don't drive a car, I recommend taking a one-way cab (Uber / Bolt) from Prague to the castle, after which you would only need to walk up to 5 minutes to the entrance where the tours begin. It's convenient and saves you the uphill climb. While going back, there are of course no cabs available so you'd need to take the train. The train station is a 30 minute walk from the entrance of the castle, right on the other side of the river, and the train itself takes only 45 minutes to get you to the Prague city center. It's quite convenient.

Second, I also recommend buying tour tickets in advance on their website, after which you only need to wait at the meeting point and do not have to queue up for tickets (note that you cannot enter the castle without a guided tour.) There are three types of tours available - I booked number 3 (View from the Great Tower), which is a short, 30 minute guided walk up to the fourth floor of the tour, and then you get 15 minutes to take pictures from the tower. Note that the tower is an enclosed space and the pictures are taken through windows, so you cannot take a picture of yourself with the castle from up the tower. This tour involved climbing some stairs but it wasn't too much.

There are also some areas you can explore on your own after the tour ends - the Clock Tower and the Well Tower are notable ones. I highly recommend the Well Tower, another 2 minute walk from the entrance, which has splendid views of the entire castle and is the best point to take a picture of yourself with the castle background! The well itself is also quite deep, and I also recommend a small souvenir shop by it, really cute hangings, bells, and fridge magnets available there.

The first few pictures I've added are from the Great Tower guided tour, and the last one is from the...