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Czech Republic

Středočeský kraj

Karlštejn Castle

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Places to see

Castles

Czech Republic

Středočeský kraj

Karlštejn Castle

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Karlštejn Castle

Recommended by 122 hikers out of 123

This Highlight is in a protected area

Please check local regulations for: CHKO Český kras

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Location: Středočeský kraj, Czech Republic

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Best Hikes to Karlštejn Castle

4.7

(101)

517

hikers

1. Velká Amerika Quarry – Velká Amerika Quarry loop from Karlštejn

13.0km

03:39

270m

Intermediate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

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Intermediate

4.7

(20)

253

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2. Karlštejn Castle – Karlštejn Castle loop from Karlštejn

3.50km

01:01

90m

Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

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Easy

4.5

(17)

hikers

3. Karlštejn Castle – Velká Amerika Quarry loop from Karlštejn

10.1km

02:51

220m

Intermediate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

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Intermediate

Tips

Cathrin

July 4, 2022

At the parking lot below you also have the option of being driven to the castle in a horse-drawn carriage. The journey takes about 20 minutes and the coachman tells you a bit about the castle. He also stops briefly so that you can take photos of the castle (at the best seat). You drive directly through the town and can already get an overview.

The baker (Pekarna or Pekařství) on the right side (uphill) has sensationally good Golatschen with various toppings (e.g. with cherry, plum, quark, pear or poppy seeds). The older lady is very nice and speaks pretty much all common languages 😳😊

Café 34 on the left (uphill) is very nice, has original dishes and also various homemade lemonades. You can sit outside very nicely.

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Tetiana Vorontsova

July 16, 2021

Karlštejn Castle was founded in 1348 by the Charles IV, King of Bohemia and Holy Roman Emperor as his private residence and a place of safekeeping royal treasures, especially his collections of holy relics and the Imperial Crown Jewels. In 1355 Charles IV stayed here for the first time, overseeing the construction and decoration work, especially in chapels. The construction was completed in 1365 when the Chapel of the Holy Cross in the Great Tower was consecrated.
The Chapel of the Holy Cross was the place of safekeeping the imperial crown jewels until 1420 when the Hussite wars (religious civil war) began, and they had not ever returned to Karlštejn Castle. After the wars in 1436, the Bohemian crown jewels were taken to the Chapel of the Holy Cross where they remained till 1619.
The castle was a representative residence of Charles IV and his son Wenceslas IV only, i.e. till 1419. As a fortress, Karlštejn Castle protected the crown jewels, holy relics, and royal archives till the 17th century.
Over the centuries the castle has always been in hands of the king or a state institution, never in private hands. Nowadays it is owned by the state.
After 1480 the castle was rebuilt in the late Gothic style, in the last quarter of the 16th century in the Renaissance style. During the last reconstruction that took place at the end of the 19th century (by architect Josef Mocker) in the spirit of purism, the castle gained its present appearance.
Very impressive is the preserved original stair-arrangement of individual castle buildings. The lower section with a small courtyard by the Well Tower and the Burgrave´s House continue through the majestic five-storey Imperial Palace and the Marian Tower. At the highest point, the construction of the castle culminates in a monumental, 60-meter-high Great Tower and its massive fortifications.

soulblind

February 21, 2020

A beautiful little place, idyllically situated on the Vltava, with the famous Karlštejner castle as a landmark. There are many small restaurants and of course souvenir shops.

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Elevation 280 m

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Wednesday 29 October

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Max wind speed: 14.0 km/h

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Location: Středočeský kraj, Czech Republic

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1. Velká Amerika Quarry – Velká Amerika Quarry loop from Karlštejn

2. Karlštejn Castle – Karlštejn Castle loop from Karlštejn

3. Karlštejn Castle – Velká Amerika Quarry loop from Karlštejn

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