The famous Czech castle is 30 km away. from Prague. It is an almost impregnable fortress, where important state documents, relics, jewelry and symbols of power were stored. The fortification was built by order of the Holy Roman Emperor Charles IV in the middle of the XIV century. The ruler personally supervised the construction and finishing works. Karlstein remembers the glorious kings of the past and keeps sacred relics in his walls.
Address:
172
Phone:
+420 311 681 617
Comment
29.08.23
Nyein
It is a place where we can get a train from Prague Smichov Station in less than an hour..
For the museum entry, I would recommend buying at the counter if you are not on a tight schedule because they offer a guided tour only.
05.08.23
Nick
The outside of the castle is amazing. I was on an excursion on the first route - rather meager in the sense that there are very few exhibits and everything that is rather boring and uninteresting. Also, be prepared for the fact that there will be chi.. Read more »ldren, especially small ones, who will cry, run, and in every possible way interfere with listening to the guide. But in general, the castle is very beautiful and classy.
05.08.23
Brian
A very impressive castle outside of Prague that used to house the Bohemian Crown Jewels. Once you park in the lot at the base of the town, you can either walk to 2 km up the hill to the castle or pay a van service to take you to near the castle. I us.. Read more »ed the van service, it was worth it. The castle itself has several tours, I went on the Charles IV apartments tour, which only goes into two of the three main buildings. The high tower is a separate tour that was sold out. The tour I went on was nice, though I wish everything was included in one tour. There is pretty good mead for sale in the well tower, I wish I had bought more.
31.07.23
Kamil
Castle is pretty big, very interesting history. You need a little walk of 2 kilometers, and it is steep, but worth it. Prizes are high, but as I said, worth it. About 45 minute tour around the castle. At the way to castle you can find some restaurant.. Read more »s and shops. Very nice place.
30.07.23
Sabina
Beautiful castle and the village. We went by train from Prague main train station. It's cost us £18 up and down. Spend only few hours. Wish could go earlier. But managed to have a tour inside the castle last one.
21.07.23
Ion
It is better to choose another castle to visit, in Czech there are plenty from what to chose and for sure much more beautiful then this one. One important thing. There are 3 different types of tours. If you decide to go there, my recomendation is to .. Read more »take the Chapel tour
08.05.23
James
Excellent bathrooms and cafe up at the castle. Also were street vendors in the courtyard serving food and beer. Not a bad wake in that environment at all! Great view of the city or rather town below. The tour of the castle itself was engaging and int.. Read more »eresting. Just about the right length of time.
17.12.22
Kelly
Great day trip just 30 minute train ride from Prague. The mandatory guided tours are informative and full of neat information. During winter months, the main part is closed off for preservation, so best to visit after May. We still enjoyed our time a.. Read more »t the castle and in town, despite not being able to see everything.
11.09.22
Tom
This was a beautiful spot and the castle was in impressive shape. The restoration emphasized historical accuracy. The hike up the hill goes through a gauntlet of tourist shops, but we went at the end of the day and things were mellow.
01.09.22
Robert
We went to see the castle as we had some spare time in Prague. It was nice to see the land outside the capital. Very very green.
The castle is nothing special. There are tours in English but you have to pay different tickets if you want to visit the.. Read more » whole castle.
24.08.22
Kevin
One of the best experiences I had in Prague. From the train station, it is a 25 / 30 minutes walk. There is a short cut when coming the castle way on foot, it is a 300 meters path for pedestrians and bikes, going up at right hand you will see a big s.. Read more »ign in English (Way to the Castle). Once at castle entrance it feels like going back in time, the castle offers 3 types of tours on several languages, pictures are allowed, not flash. There are family tickets and group tickets too, and there is student discount too, not to mention for elders. Enjoy a drink or buy a gift. Do not forget to take a lots of pictures and videos.
11.08.22
Scarlett
Beautiful place with an amazing view. The guided visit teaches you a lot about the place, and gives you the understanding of the history of the casttle and Charles IV. It's a good walk up to the hill to get there, be ready!
The village before t.. Read more »he casttle is lovely with some restaurants and coffee shops where you definitely need to stop by.
Its a 40 minutes trip, by train, from Prague (main station) in a comfortable train.
19.07.22
Hye
We were lucky to be there 15 minutes before the guided tour starts. The guide was one of the best guides that we experienced. He was engaging and explaining extremely well. It was a great decision that we got in and all the histories from the guide w.. Read more »as super interesting. We did tour 1 but next time we will try tour 2 which includes seeing the main jewels! Tour 1 with 55 minutes went by quick. Plan your visit around the tour starts.
07.07.22
Jan
One of the most famous Czech castles?
We parked at the parking lot by the river and walked up. It’s 2km but it was ok even with toddlers (3&5). You get to see a lot of shops and restaurants along the way so it doesn’t get boring.
The .. Read more »only negative thing is the waiting time for the guided tours so we decided not to go it (the kids wouldn’t wait that long).
So I thing 4* is accurate?
21.06.22
Nancy
We only had time to do the residence tour, but we thoroughly enjoyed the experience. Our guide, Anna, was knowledgeable and willing to answer any questions we had. We hope to come back and do the other tours someday.
15.06.22
Ashwin
It’s a nicely maintained castle: entry charges are not expensive, and you have different options to visit the inside castle area: I suggest selecting high castle options, as the guide will take you to the peak of the view of the castle. They ha.. Read more »ve an English-speaking guide. Also, try and hike near the forest area; it’s beautiful.
27.05.22
Alice
Really beautiful and has a nice potential of being one of the most iconic castles around Czechia, but I found it too expensive to get inside, each part has a different tour and price, so if you want to really visit everything it will be a super high .. Read more »price to pay, so unfortunately I didn't get inside any part.
22.05.22
Rhziou
We really enjoyed our time in the castle. The views are really beautiful and the walk to the castle is really nice.
Teresa, our tour guide, was really good and explained every room thoroughly. I was even more impressed when she said that it was her f.. Read more »irst tour in English! She did amazing.
I really recommend visiting the castle!
21.05.22
jared
Amazing Castle with direct train and car parking nearby. You need to walk up a beautiful street in order to get to the castle and along the way you will find some places to get good food. Eat at the place where the road turns 90 degrees to the left.. Read more ». They have a patio, good food and beer there.
The caste itself is amazing and you can get a good tour and there are some parts that you can see for free too. Nowadays I never pay because I went inside tours twice, but still going there for a half day walk through the town and woods is pleasant.
11.05.22
Florin
Impressive views, of and from the castle.
It's a nice good really up the hill, through the small village at the foot of the castle.
Many pitstop temptations before getting to the castle itself, I suggest considering a restaurant stop when coming.. Read more » back from the castle.
The tours are organized in Czech and in English.
Although there was a partial reconstruction in the courtyard that didn't impact the overall feeling of the place, its history and beauty.
10.12.21
Libor
The castle is beautiful. A 5-star place without a doubt. As there's a new visitor center being built, some discomfort must be expected (that takes a star off). Also, during winter you'll get a chance to see just a minor part of the castle (.. Read more »another star taken).
12.10.21
Dasha
Great experience, such beauty and history!
This is a must see.
We did a longer tour exploring the chapels including The Holy Cross.
Stunning and one of a kind.
Our guide was Lukas Huja and he was great.
Knowledgeable, patient, kind and funny.
Thank y.. Read more »ou from Dasha and Heda.
15.09.21
Clifford
Absolutely gorgeous castle. It's a bit of a hike up from the train station, but it's more than worth it. Even if you don't take a tour (I didn't have time unfortunately), you still have many great photo opportunities.
12.08.21
Adam
Thanks to Corona, the place was not crowded and we totally enjoyed. Alright it is the most prominent Czech castle, but still, I was surprised how interesting and well designed the expositions were. Totally glad we visited.
18.07.21
Libor
Very nice place, little trek to reach the Castle itself from the train station, but still very enjoyable experience. Variety of excursions, you can choose what you are most curious about. Exclusive course, you have to book it in advance because of li.. Read more »mited capacity, but that is okay.
26.06.21
Zdenka
Still fewer tourists on Karlštejn than usually - making the experience better than ever. The Castle simply is romantic and even the basic tour together with the tower view makes the trip a must-see for everyone.
12.06.21
Farjana
View from the castle is wonderful. Also the castle is located on a beautiful hill. So walking around it, in the forest, was a very refreshing experience.
21.04.21
Massimo
Going there by train or bike, and hike then the gentle hill. Will I reach the top?, while walking through the village road, everywhere is full of shops. Half way the street I move on slowly, suddenly is there the castle lonely. Up It stands a grey mo.. Read more »untain, plenty of nature around is Karlstejn!
16.02.21
Vladimir
Most foreign visitors to Czechia stay in Prague. Yes, the city is beautiful, but there also are other charismatic spots to visit. Karlštejn (Charles's Sonte) has been private retreat of the Charles IV German=.Roman emperor and also safe p.. Read more »lace, where crown jewels were stored. You will see stunning Gothic frescoes and mosaics, in so called 'beautiful style'.
The castle is just 30 mi by train from the centre of Prague. You will be surprised by lush hilly country and nice location of the castle.
18.09.20
Jon
XIV century Castle close to Prague. Located between hills. I would recommend the second guided tour since It gives the most complete detail of the Castle. A worthy visit.
06.09.20
Der
Dont take a tour there!
I visited hundreds of castles and never wasted that much money on barely nothing. The castle is pretty - sure. You can visit the first yard for free. But it does not get better inside (mostly replicas..and mostly empty rooms o.. Read more »n the 55ckr tour).
29.08.20
Tomáš
Really something to see yourself. The castle has really excellent location, with lovely view of the castle in the middle of a forest. The street under the castle consists of many lovely middle-age buildings, so you can enjoy the walk to the castle, e.. Read more »ven though it is a quite steep hill.
29.08.20
Vinh
Karlštejn Castle (Czech: hrad Karlštejn; German: Burg Karlstein) is a large Gothic castle founded in 1348 by Charles IV, Holy Roman Emperor-elect and King of Bohemia. The castle served as a place for safekeeping the Imperial Regalia as .. Read more »well as the Bohemian crown jewels, holy relics, and other royal treasures.
Location
It is located about 30 kilometres (19 mi) southwest of Prague in the Beroun District of the Central Bohemian Region, above the market town of the same name.
Tourism
Karlštejn is one of the most famous and most frequently visited castles in the Czech Republic. As of 2019, it was the 5th most visited castle with more than 200,000 visitors per year.
History
Founded in 1348, the construction works were directed by the later Karlštejn burgrave Vitus of Bítov, but there are no records of the builder himself. Some historians speculate that Matthias of Arras may be credited with being the architect, but he had already died by 1352. It is likely that there was not a progressive and cunning architect, but a brilliant civil engineer who dexterously and with a necessary mathematical accuracy solved technically exigent problems that issued from the emperor's ideas and requests. Instead, Holy Roman Emperor Charles IV personally supervised the construction works and interior decoration. Construction was finished nearly twenty years later in 1365 when the "heart" of the treasury – the Chapel of the Holy Cross situated in the Great tower – was consecrated.
Following the outbreak of the Hussite Wars, the Imperial Regalia were evacuated in 1421 and brought via Hungary to Nuremberg. In 1422, during the siege of the castle, Hussite attackers used biological warfare when Prince Sigismund Korybut used catapults to throw dead (but not plague-infected) bodies and 2,000 carriage-loads of dung over the walls, apparently managing to spread infection among the defenders.
Excerpt from Wikipedia,
27.08.20
Alice
The guided tours were unavailable but we enjoyed it nonetheless
21.07.20
Alexander
Very beautiful old castle, great for a short visit from Prague. The surroundings and the nature are very beautiful too.
Totally would go there again :)
10.07.20
Tomáš
Legendary castle, which needs no introduction. Exteriors are splendid and interiors are ever more so. Charming restored medieval architecture, which still stands strong as in the past. I strongly recommend visiting this marvelous wonder. The only que.. Read more »stion is, which exhibition tour of the castle's inner parts will you take.
03.07.20
Toto
Beautiful castle, easily accessible by car or train from Prague. They offer 3 types of tour both in Czech and English. Can be quite busy though.
4.6 / 88
