Karlštejn Castle
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Why go
- The Chapel of the Holy Cross, with precious stone inlays and wall paintings.
- The 60-metre Great Tower, at the highest point of the castle.
- Three guided tour routes through the castle.
Don't miss
- Theodorik’s panel paintingsThe court painter’s panels depict a heavenly army.Chapel of the Holy Cross, Great Tower.
- Triptych by Tommaso da ModenaThe triptych decorates the chapel’s altar wall.North altar wall of the Great Tower chapel.
- Staircase frescoesThe wall paintings depict the lives of two saints.Great Tower staircase.
- Replica coronation crownThe replica is set with pearls, rubies, sapphires and emeralds.In the castle.
- Historic wellVisitors can see the castle’s historic well.Lower castle.
Know before you go
- Tickets can be bought online through the castle’s website.
What's inside
- The imperial palace contains a royal bedroom, an audience hall, rooms for princesses and spaces for the court.
- The palace’s first floor includes a central knight’s hall.
- The palace basement contains a multipurpose hall.
- The Marian Tower contains two chapels and a sacristy.
Interesting facts7
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Charles IV founded the castle to safeguard imperial regalia and religious relics.
Historie hradu - Karlštejn -
The castle rises in tiers, from the lower service areas to the fortified Great Tower.
Historie hradu - Karlštejn -
The Great Tower’s walls are four metres thick, increasing to seven metres on the north side.
Burg Karlštejn - Wikipedia -
Miners dug an 80-metre well shaft without finding water. A channel brought water from Budňanský potok to a cistern instead.
Burg Karlštejn - Wikipedia -
A ditch cut into the rock separates the castle from the mountain behind it.
Karlštejn - Wikipedia -
Vitus of Bítov directed construction, while Charles IV supervised the work and interior decoration.
Karlštejn - Wikipedia -
The emperor lived on the palace’s second floor; the empress and her female retinue lived on the third.
Karlštejn - Wikipedia
History
Late Gothic and Renaissance rebuilding preceded a 19th-century Gothic Revival reconstruction that shaped its present appearance.
- 1348Charles IV founded Karlstejn Castle.
- 1365Construction was completed, and the Chapel of the Holy Cross was consecrated.
- 1422The castle withstood a Hussite siege.
- 1436Coronation jewels and state records returned to the castle.
- 1619The jewels and records were taken to Prague.
Show all
- 19th c.A Gothic Revival reconstruction gave the castle its present appearance.
How to get there
- On footThe castle is reached on foot.
Sources: Karlštejn - Wikipedia · Státní hrad Karlštejn – oficiální webové stránk… · Historie hradu - Karlštejn · PodCastle NPÚ - · Château de Karlštejn - Wikipedia · Karlštejn - Wikipedia · Burg Karlštejn - Wikipedia · Karlštejn Castle: booking (its own site) · Karlštejn Castle: tickets (its own site) · checked 28 Oct 2026
- Website
- hrad-karlstejn.cz/
- Phone
- +420311681617
Questions and answers
How do you get to Karlstejn Castle?
The castle is reached on foot. It stands above Karlstejn, about 30 km southwest of Prague.
Can you buy Karlstejn Castle tickets online?
Yes. Tickets can be bought through the castle’s website.
Are guided tours available at Karlstejn Castle?
Yes. Visitors can choose from three guided tour routes.
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