Karlstejn Castle: Day Trip from Prague
Karlstejn Castle (hrad Karlštejn) stands proudly as a grand medieval fortress situated in the town bearing its name, nestled near the capital city of Prague. Drawing throngs of tourists, Karlštejn Castle makes for an ideal day trip from Prague.
Founded in 1348 by the illustrious Bohemian King and Holy Roman Emperor Charles IV, the castle’s construction reached completion in 1365. Serving as a bastion of regal magnificence, Charles IV utilized Karlštejn Castle to safeguard an array of treasures including royal artifacts, sacred relics, and the crown jewels. Notably, it was Charles IV, the same monarch who stands as the patron of Prague’s iconic Charles Bridge, whose vision brought both architectural marvels to fruition.
The trip from Prague to Karlstejn took 45 mins, and from the station to Karlstejn Castle another twenty minutes. It was a steep climb; thankfully we were armed with plenty of water. Centuries back, it took one whole day to reach the castle from Prague on horseback!
The Karlstejn Castle is in the tentative list of UNESCO World Heritage sites since 2001.
The entrance is through the castle courtyard. It is truly a grand and majestic entrance. We were on time for the guided tour (English).
A young guide led us inside. Once inside he locked the doors. While we remained locked inside he explained the history associated with the castle and room. We then spent sometime looking around in the closed room, no photography was permitted.
He then unlocked another door, led us in to that room and then locked the door again. The same process continued for the next five or six rooms he showed.
Karlstejn Castle Prague
The castle perched on a hill looks like a fairy tale castle, has grand exteriors, but the interiors are a major disappointment. They were bare, simply bare, with some replicas and some paintings… the original stuffs stashed away elsewhere. The hill-top castle surrounded by forests was built to hold the royal treasures and coronation jewels of the Holy Roman Empire. It served as the king’s retreat.
The Czech coronation jewels were also kept there for almost 200 years. Nothing of that sort is there now; we were shown where these stuffs were kept though. Many of the interesting rooms are opened for special guests.
What to see in Karlštejn Castle Prague
In spite of our not so exciting visit I will say the castle is worth a visit for architecture lovers and history buffs. Do watch out for these highlights within Karlštejn Castle:
- The Great Tower (Velká věž), this imposing tower is the centerpiece of Karlštejn Castle. It houses the Chapel of the Holy Cross on its top floor, adorned with exquisite frescoes depicting scenes from the life of Christ.
- The Imperial Palace (Císařský palác) served as the residence of Emperor Charles IV during his visits to Karlštejn. It features several chambers, once very well decorated, including the Audience Chamber and the Bedchamber of the Empress.
- Chapel of St. Catherine (Kaple svaté Kateřiny) is located within the castle complex. This chapel boasts stunning Gothic architecture and houses the relics of St. Catherine of Alexandria.
- The castle’s Well Tower (Středověká studna) is a remarkable engineering feat, housing a deep well that provided water to the castle’s inhabitants during times of siege.
- Castle Gardens (Zahrady u Karlštejna) surrounding the castle are picturesque. The gardens offer scenic views of the surrounding countryside.
- The Castle Museum features exhibitions showcasing the history of Karlštejn Castle, its construction, and its significance throughout the centuries. Visitors can learn about the castle’s role as a royal residence and treasury.
The Czech Republic was a major European force in the middle ages and has hundreds of castles. Had time permitted we could have toured yet another castle.
Where is Karlstejn Castle located in Prague?
Karlstejn Castle, often referred to as Hrad Karlštejn in Czech, is situated near the town of Karlštejn, which is located approximately 33.8 km southwest of the center of Prague, the capital city of the Czech Republic. The castle is nestled amidst the picturesque landscapes of the Bohemian countryside. It stands as one of the most significant medieval castles in the Czech Republic.
Address of Karltejn Castle Czech Republic
Karlštejn State Castle
Karltejn 172
267 18 Karlštejn
(Beroun district)
+420 311 681 617
karlstejn@npu.cz
How to reach Karlstejn Castle?
There are several options to reach Karlstejn Castle from Prague. We reached the castle by train and it was a convenient and comfortable journey. Trains depart regularly from Prague’s main train station, Praha hlavní nádraží (Praha hl.n.), to Karlstejn. The train journey took us approximately 40 minutes. Upon arrival in Karlštejn, the castle is within walking distance from the train station and also from town centre.
By Car: If you prefer to drive, you can reach Prague Karlstejn Castle by car. From Prague, take Route E50 westbound towards Beroun. After passing through Beroun, follow signs for Karlštejn.
By Bus: While less common than trains, buses also operate between Prague and Karlštejn. You can find bus services departing from various locations in Prague.
Tour: Another option is to join a guided tour from Prague to Karlštejn Castle. Many tour operators in Prague offer day trips to Karlštejn Castle, providing transportation, guided tours of the castle, and sometimes additional visits to nearby attractions.
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Real good photography.
Amazing place. Thanks for sharing. Missed it when I went to Prague.
That's a beautiful castle and the perfect site for it. Great shots.
fascinating!
Beautiful and interesting I have never been there and I live much closer !
beautiful!
What a wonderful castle! And picture #2 so spectacular! =)
You're a real adventurer!! =)
ins't that where the movie hostel was made 🙂
beautiful pictures though …
Bikram's
i wish i could visit this part of Europe someday. an impressive castle–i wonder why each room was locked when visitors were inside. the guide was probably worried some of you would explore the castle and get lost.:p
Beautiful castle, brilliant photos.
Indrani, you visit the most interesting places. I enjoyed the tour, the castle is beautiful. Thanks for sharing, have a great weekend!
Such lovely shots of this amazing place.
I love these photos with excellent frames, beautiful castle.
Beautiful tour.
Regards and best wishes
I love this tour. Your photos are lovely.
oh so envious. i really want to see a castle 🙂
beautiful photos with nice info…
thanks
What a fantastic tour. Thanks for showing us around this magical castle and Happy Sky Watch!
That is an elegant castle–too bad about the emptiness inside. Perhaps the antique items needed a better environment (humidity-wise) than what they'd have in the castle. Pretty skies overhead, too.
That is an unusual shape for a castle! I wonder why they kept all the doors locked, and wouldn't allow photos?
Fabulous pictures and info as usual.. I've been to this castle, but never went inside. I think it was closed.. We did a short trial along that wee hilly area and spent some time in karlstejn. It's a lovely little village..
Great shots Indrani…….it's a nice city !!
greetings, Joop
Grand! secretive and beautiful looking.
They do know how to preserve , don't they?
Thanks for shaing with readers. Hope to see more.
Another fascinating tour, Indrani, and a beautiful, dramatic looking castle! Interesting and I'm sure a little disappointing that there is nothing much inside! Wonderful skies and soft clouds! Your captures are superb as always! Hope you've had a good week and have a wonderful weekend!
Sylvia