Karlstejn castle was founded in 1348, and has a unique position among Czech castles. It was built by Czech King and Roman Emperor Charles IV
The first stay of Charles IV in Karlstejn castle was documented to be in 1355 when he came to supervise the building works as well as the decoration of interiors, especially the castle chapels. The construction of the castle was finished in 1365 when the Chapel of the Holy Cross situated in the Great tower was consecrated. At the outbreak of the Hussite wars the castle became the place for safekeeping of the Czech coronation jewels, which were kept here, with the exception of several short-time breaks, for nearly 200 years.
The castle was reconstructed in late Gothic style after 1480 and in Renaissance style in the last quarter of the 16th century. 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. Karlstejn Castle also houses original wall paintings dating back to the 14th century, a collection of 129 panel paintings by Master Theodoric in the Chapel of the Holy Cross (the world largest if its kind), the largest portrait gallery of Czech rulers in the country, exhibited replica of St. Wenceslas crown - the coronation crown of the Czech Kings as well as the unique castle well. For Great Hotel Deals in the Cezch Republic visit Prague Hotels
Tourist InformationOPENING HOURS: January: 9 am - 3 pm - Daily except Mondays; 1st till 8th January 2006 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 2006 Admission Prices: With a guide in a foreign language: Adults Kč 220, Children from 6 years, students, disabled Kč 120, Children up to 6 years Kč 20
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