Státní hrad Karlštejn

About the museum

Karlštejn Castle was founded in 1348 by Emperor and King of Bohemia Charles IV. It was meant to serve as a secure repository for the imperial coronation regalia, holy relics and other royal treasures. By around 1355 the palace was habitable, and in 1357 a collegiate chapter was established at the castle. In 1365 the chapel of St Cross in the Great Tower was consecrated, which essentially completed the building.

After the Hussite Wars the castle again became a store for the Bohemian coronation regalia and the land records, which were taken away only in 1619. At the end of the 16th century it underwent a Renaissance rebuilding under Rudolf II. Later the estate passed to the Institute for Noble Ladies, and the castle gradually fell into decay. Emperor Francis I ordered repairs in 1812, and the Neo-Gothic rebuilding of the church of Our Lady took place in 1837–1840.

The great restoration of the castle began in 1887, and in 1892–1905 it was led by the architect Josef Mocker; after his death his successors continued the work. The chapel of St Cross was closed in 1981 because of its poor condition and reopened in 2000. Today the castle is administered by the National Heritage Institute, which offers several tour routes, always with a guide.

Highlights

• Imperial residence of Charles IV – basic route through the palace interiors and the Mary Tower
• Karlštejn castle chapels – selective route with the Small Castle Picture Gallery and the church of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary
• Chapel of St Cross in the Great Tower, part of the exclusive routes Celým hradem and Kaple večerního Karlštejna
• Freely accessible grounds with an audio guide in the TourStories app
• Castle founded in 1348 by Charles IV as a repository for the coronation regalia

Permanent exhibitions

• Císařská rezidence Karla IV. – The basic route leads through the historic interiors of two floors of the Imperial Palace and the lower floors of the Mary Tower, with furnishings from the 14th to 19th centuries.
• Karlštejnské hradní kaple – The selective route through the eastern wing of the palace, the upper floor of the Mary Tower and the Great Tower includes the Small Castle Picture Gallery and the church of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary.

Founded

1348

Operated by

Národní památkový ústav

Admission & discounts

Prices apply to the basic route Císařská rezidence Karla IV. with commentary in Czech and selected foreign languages. The fee for an authorised translation is CZK 2,500 per group; for a language other than English and German it is CZK 4,000 per group. Employees of the NPÚ, holders of the Náš člověk and ICOMOS cards and accredited journalists also enter free of charge. Payment is possible by card or in cash.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible: not available
• Elevator: not available
• Accessible restroom
• Accessible parking
• Service dogs welcome
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

Without assistance only the main courtyard is accessible; wheelchair users must be carried up the steps, and the visit must be arranged in advance when booking. The first route has 192 steps, the second route 459 steps, and the well area is reached by 73 steps; the steps are high but have handrails. There is no lift. The accessible toilet by the entrance to the Purkrabství (Burgrave’s House) building is locked for operational reasons; the ticket office will open it. The car park for vehicles with a ZTP sign is about 300 m from the main gate. Assistance dogs are allowed in.

Kids & families

• Baby changing facilities

The changing table is in the last cubicle of the women’s toilets. The tour goes up steep stairs; children under 5 enter free of charge and children aged 6–17 pay CZK 90. The castle also offers a programme for schools.

Getting there & parking

The market town of Karlštejn is a pedestrian zone all day; driving through it, even by bicycle, is not allowed. Bicycle racks are in front of the II. castle gate. From Prague, take the D5 towards Plzeň and leave at exit 10 (Loděnice).

Amenities & dining

• Café

In the new visitor centre in the Purkrabství (Burgrave’s House) building there are drinks, coffee, sweets and ice cream; restaurants are in the settlement at the foot of the hill. Dogs may enter the grounds only on a lead and wearing a muzzle; they may not enter the tour routes.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Weddings / ceremonies

The castle hosts weddings at Karlštejn.

Plan your visit