Private guided tours in Prague and Karlštejn Castle




KARLŠTEJN CASTLE



During your visit to Prague you should not miss the large Gothic castle founded in the 14th century by Charles IV, King of Bohemia and the Holy Roman Emperor. Karlštejn served as a place for safekeeping of the Empire coronation jewels, holy relics and other royal treasures. Located about 40 km southwest of Prague in the Karlštejn village, it is one of the most famous and well-visited castles in the Czech Republic.

HISTORY OF THE CASTLE

High Gothic castle founded in 1348, which has a unique position among Czech castles. It was built by Czech King and Roman Emperor Charles IV as a place for safekeeping of the royal treasures, especially Charles's collection of holy relics and the coronation jewels of the Roman Empire. The first stay of Charles IV in the castle is documented in 1355 when he came to supervise the building works as well as the decoration of interiors, especially the castle chapels. The construction of the castle was finished in 1365 when the Chapel of the Holy Cross situated in the Great tower was consecrated.

Charles IV

At the outbreak of the Hussite wars the castle became the place for safekeeping of the Czech Coronation Jewels, which were kept here, with the exception of several short-time breaks, for nearly 200 years. The castle was reconstructed in late Gothic style after 1480 and in Renaissance style in the last quarter of the 16th century. The present appearance of the castle comes from the last reconstruction, which was carried out in the puristic neo-Gothic style by architect Josef Mocker at the end of the 19th century.

Czech Coronation Jewels

Very impressive is the original step-like order of buildings. From the Well tower and Burgrave's palace located as the lowest you walk up to the majestic five-floored Imperial palace and further up towards the Marian tower. And finally at the top of the headland stands the monumental 60m high and separately fortified Great tower.

Karlštejn Castle Tours

Karlštejn offers two tours. The first lasts 50 minutes and gives an overview of the castle during Th Gothic Period



The second, which must be reserved in advance, almost brings the Middle Ages to life with its frescoes, paintings and statuary during 90min. This tour includes a visit to the 14th century Chapel of the Holy Cross, Visitors can see three sections of the castle – the Imperial Palace, Marian Tower and the Great Tower.



Tour I
Tour 1 includes historical interiors of the Imperial palace and the lower floors of the Marian tower with valuable equipment of 14th to 19th centuries. (Courtier's Hall, Hall of Knights with chapel of St. Nicolas, Chapter Deanery, Royal Bedroom, Audience and Banquet Halls, Hall of Ancestors, Treasury and Jewels Hall, former castle prison).

Chapter Deanery

Hall of Ancestors

Tour II - - The sacred/holy area includes The Chapel of The Holy Cross
Tour 2 passes through the Marian and Great towers and offers visit to the Church of Our Lady, Chapel of St. Catharine, former Sacristy, suspension wooden bridge, museum of lapidary, castle's picture gallery, library with exposition of the last reconstruction of the castle as well as the Holy Cross Chapel. 

Holy Cross Chapel

Official website : http://www.hradkarlstejn.cz/en/

Visit Prague and Karlštejn Castle with

 private guide http://www.visita-praga.eu/