Out of Town - Karlstejn Castle

The most popular destination in the Czech Republic after Prague, Karlstejn Castle is an easy day trip for those interested in getting out of the city.

29km (18 miles) SW of Prague
A spectacular Disney-like castle perched on a hill, surrounded by lush forests and vineyards. It is one of the most beautiful castles in the Czech Republic. There is a national forest around the castle with some very nice hiking.

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 present appearance of the castle comes from the last reconstruction, which was carried out in the purist neo-Gothic style by architect Josef Mocker at the end of the 19th century. 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-storied 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.

OPENING HOURS:
from to - beginning of the last tour
January:
9 am - 3 pm - Daily except Mondays; 1st till 8th January
February:
9 am - 3 pm - closed
March:
9 am - 3 pm - Daily except Mondays
April:
9 am - 4 pm - daily except Mondays
May:
9 am - 5 pm - daily except Mondays
June:
9 am - 5 pm - daily except Mondays
July:
9 am - 6 pm - daily except Mondays
August:
9 am - 6 pm - daily except Mondays
September:
9 am - 5 pm - daily except Mondays
October:
9 am - 4 pm - daily except Mondays
November:
9 am - 3 pm - daily except Mondays,
till 26th November 2006
December:
9 am - 3 pm - daily except Mondays,
26th till 31th December
And then from 1st January till 7th January but closed on Tuesday 2nd January
MIDDAY BREAK

May to September:
12,00 - 12,30pm
October to April:
12,00 - 01,00pm

Karlstejn Castle is probably the most photographed castle in all of the Czech Republic. For certain it is the most visited. This is obviously because of its dramatic setting on a rocky outcrop overlooking the Berounka River.

The castle itself has a website that you can visit at www.hradkarlstejn.cz.