Karlštejn Castle
Located about an hour away from Prague, Karlštejn is one of Czechia's most visited castles.
It was founded by Czech king and Holy Roman
emperor Charles
IV (Karel IV.) in 1348, the same year when he founded
Prague's New Town and Charles University. The hill-top castle
surrounded by forests was built to hold the royal treasures and coronation
jewels of the Holy Roman Empire, and served as the
king's retreat. The Czech coronation jewels were also kept there
for almost 200 years during and after the Hussite wars in the
15th and 16th centuries. You can read more about Karlštejn Castle and the two routes that can be visited
on our Karlštejn
Castle page.
Please note that the Czech coronation jewels are no longer kept at Karlštejn, so don't expect to see them on your tour. The jewels are kept at St. Vitus Cathedral at the Prague Castle and are displayed to the public only on special occasions.
Since the castle is located on top of a hill, expect about a 20-minute moderately strenuous climb through the village of Karlštejn. There are
horse-drawn carriages taking visitors up the hill if you would rather not make the climb on foot.
Below are some tours you can book from Prague to Karlštejn (with free cancellation possible).
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