Explore Karlštejn Castle, a majestic Gothic fortress founded by Charles IV, safeguarding royal treasures and offering diverse tours and events.
📜 A Gothic masterpiece founded in 1348 by Charles IV. 👑 Built to safeguard royal treasures, holy relics, and imperial regalia.
🏰 Explore grand halls, chapels, and the Great Tower with breathtaking views. 🖼️ Marvel at 129 panel paintings by Master Theodoric in the Chapel of the Holy Cross. 👑 See a replica of the St. Wenceslas Crown and the largest portrait gallery of Czech rulers. ✨ Discover newly reconstructed areas including the Imperial Palace basement and a modern visitor center. 🚶♀️ Enjoy various guided tours, including a full castle circuit or a self-guided audio tour. 🎉 Experience special events like the annual Vintage Festival and Advent activities. 🏞️ Explore recommended trips to nearby natural and historical sights. 👨👩👧👦 Enjoy family-friendly amenities and refreshment options.
⚠️ Many high stairs; limited accessibility for wheelchairs in interiors. 🚫 Dogs allowed only on leashes and muzzles in courtyards, not inside tours. 👟 Cyclists with SPD shoes should bring spare footwear to protect historical floors.
💰 Standard admission for adults: 300 Kč for basic tours. Exclusive tours can be up to 3500 Kč. 💸 Discounted admission for seniors, youth, ZTP/P: 240 Kč. 👧 Children (6-17 years): 90 Kč. 🆓 Children under 5 and ZTP/P guides: Free. 🎧 Audioguide: 120 Kč + 500 Kč deposit.
🚶♀️ Imperial Residence of Charles IV (Basic Tour): Explore the Imperial Palace and Marian Tower. Duration: 55 minutes, Max 45 people. ⛪ Karlštejn Castle Chapels (Exclusive Tour): Visit the Church of the Virgin Mary, St. Catherine Chapel, and the Great Tower. Duration: 100 minutes, Max 16 people. Closed November-April. 🏰 Full Castle Circuit (Exclusive Tour): An extensive 180-minute tour covering all parts of Karlštejn, including normally inaccessible areas. Max 6 people. Closed November-April. 🌙 Chapel of Evening Karlštejn (Exclusive Tour): Special evening tour of sacred spaces, including the Chapel of the Holy Cross. Duration: 120 minutes, Max 6 people. Closed November-April. 🛡️ Karlštejn as a Closed Fortress (Exclusive Tour): Discover the castle without tourist crowds. Duration: 180 minutes, Max 15 people. Closed November-April. ☕ Coffee with the Castellan (Exclusive Tour): Personal guided tour by the castle manager. Duration: 180 minutes, Max 6 people. Closed November-April. 📱 Self-Guided Audio Tour: Explore freely accessible areas from the entrance gate to the Well Tower via the TourStories app. Duration: 40 minutes.
🕒 Open most days, but hours vary significantly by season and tour circuit; check the official website for current details. Jul-Aug: Tu-Su 09:00-18:00. Nov-Dec: Fr-Su 10:00-15:00. Closed December 22-25.
🚗 Central parking is 2 km (30-minute walk) from the castle on the Berounka River's left bank. 🅿️ Designated disabled parking is available ~300m from the main gate via a flat asphalt road (requires proper ID). 🚫 Parking directly at the first gate or courtyard is prohibited and monitored by police.
♿ Main courtyard is accessible without assistance. 🪜 Other exteriors and medieval exhibitions require assistance for wheelchair users due to stairs. 📞 Prior arrangement with reservation department (+420 311 681 617 or +420 777 464 726) is requested for smooth visits. 🚶♀️ Tour I has 192 steps (95 up, 97 down); Tour II has 459 steps (222 up, 237 down). 💧 Path to the well area involves 73 steps each way. 🚫 No elevator available. ⚠️ Path from first gate to main courtyard is dusty, stony, and uphill, potentially requiring assistance. 🪨 Courtyard surface is smooth stones. 🚻 Accessible toilet is in the Purkrabství building on the main courtyard level (ask staff for access).
🐕 Dogs are allowed on castle grounds and courtyard if on a leash and wearing a muzzle. 🚫 Pets are not allowed on tour routes, even if carried.
🚲 Bicycle stands are available in front of the second castle gate or in the Main Courtyard. ⚠️ Cyclists wearing SPD shoes must bring alternative footwear for tours to prevent damage to historical paving.
🥤 New visitor center in the Purkrabství building offers beverages, coffee, sweets, and ice cream. 🍽️ Numerous local restaurants are available in the village below the castle.
🗓️ 1348: Founded by Charles IV to store royal treasures and holy relics. 👑 1355: Charles IV resided here, overseeing construction and interior decoration. ⚔️ Hussite Wars: Served as a Catholic stronghold, housing Czech coronation jewels for nearly 200 years, successfully resisted Hussite sieges. 🏰 15th-16th Century: Underwent Late Gothic and Renaissance renovations. 🛡️ 1619: Coronation jewels and state documents removed for safety during the Thirty Years' War. 🎁 1625: Ferdinand II gifted the castle to his wife Eleonora. 🛠️ 19th Century: Major purist reconstruction by Josef Mocker shaped its current appearance. 🇨🇿 1918: Became property of the Czech Republic and opened to the public. 🏗️ 2020-2023: Extensive reconstruction completed, restoring basements, rock cellar, and adding a new visitor center.
💧 The Well: An 80m deep cistern, secretly filled from Mořinský Stream, was a state secret known only to the monarch and burgrave. 🚫 Women's Access: Women were allowed free entry and movement throughout the castle, except for one floor of the Great Tower, where treasure defenders resided. 🎭 Cultural Impact: Inspired Jaroslav Vrchlický's play "A Night at Karlštejn" and the 1973 musical film.
🏛️ National Heritage Institute, Karlštejn Castle Administration.