Hrad Loket
Romanesque-Gothic royal castle on a rock above the River Ohře, with a tower, a prison, the smallest rotunda in the world and a cultural and creative centre for traditional crafts.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The castle and town of Loket in the Ohře valley are a gem of the 12th century and the most visited monument of the Karlovy Vary Region. The Romanesque-Gothic fortress is one of the largest preserved castles in Central Europe in terms of its area; the town below the castle has Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque buildings and is an urban conservation area. The castle rotunda, dedicated to St Agnes, dates from the end of the 12th century and, with an internal diameter of 3.6 metres, is the smallest rotunda in the world; after it was built over with a staircase, it was rediscovered in 1966.
The castle includes a 26-metre-high Romanesque tower, a margraviate with an exhibition of the Loket collections and part of the Loket meteorite, an east wing with a festive hall and a ceremonial hall, and the castle prison. Several floors of dungeons have survived unchanged from 1822–1948, when the castle served as the town prison; there is also an exhibition on the law of torture (útrpné právo).
The castle is now run by Hrad Loket, z. ú. (a registered non-profit organisation). The cultural and creative centre in the castle focuses on traditional crafts such as porcelain, blue-print textiles (modrotisk), Loket jewellery, headscarves and gingerbread. Not far from the castle stands the Black Tower (Černá věž), with an exhibition of historical crafts.
Highlights
- Romanesque-Gothic castle above the Ohře, one of the largest preserved castles in Central Europe
- 26-metre-high Romanesque tower with a view and the Loket dragon
- The smallest rotunda in the world (internal diameter 3.6 m)
- Castle prison and exhibition on the law of torture
- Cultural and creative centre with crafts and workshops all year round
Permanent exhibitions
- Hradní expozice a vězení – Tour of the tower, the margraviate with the Loket collections and part of the meteorite, the prison with the exhibition on the law of torture, and the rotunda of St Agnes.
- Hrad a řemesla – Cultural and creative centre with exhibits of traditional crafts – porcelain, blue-print textiles, Loket jewellery, headscarves and gingerbread – and workshops.
- Operated by
- Hrad Loket, z. ú.
Admission & discounts
| Adults | 145 Kč |
|---|---|
| Reduced | 120 Kčchildren aged 6–15, students up to 26 with a card, pensioners, and holders of a ZTP card |
| Children & teens | 120 Kčfree up to age 5 · children aged 6–15 (text version); children under 6 free of charge |
| Seniors | 120 KčPensioners. |
| Visitors with disabilities | 120 Kčcompanion free · Holders of a ZTP/P card enter free of charge, including one companion. |
| Students & apprentices | 120 KčStudents up to 26 with a valid student card. |
| Families | 440 KčFamily ticket for 2 adults and 2 children or students (text version). |
| Castle with a guide in Czech, adults | 175 KčReduced CZK 140, family CZK 500. |
| Castle with a guide in a foreign language, adults | 220 KčReduced CZK 190, family CZK 550. |
| Castle and crafts (workshop), adults, text version | 195 KčReduced CZK 160, family CZK 580; with a guide in Czech CZK 225, in a foreign language CZK 270. |
| Black Tower (exhibition of historical crafts), adults | 30 KčChildren and seniors CZK 20; open daily in July and August 9:30–17:30, in September only at weekends 11:00–16:00. |
The basic price applies to a visit to the castle with text guides (in Czech, Russian, German, English, French, Italian, Polish, Hungarian, Spanish and Ukrainian); the guided tour is conducted in Czech, English, German and Russian. Payment is possible in cash, by card and with Multisport cards. A Photo Card for photographing the exhibitions costs CZK 20.
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible: no information
- Elevator: no information
- Accessible restroom: no information
- Accessible parking: no information
- Service dogs welcome: no information
- Tactile models & exhibits: no information
- Sign language tours: no information
- Easy-to-read materials: no information
- Audio description: no information
Because of the climb to the castle and the historic character of the site, the website does not give detailed information on accessibility.
Kids & families
Great for kids & families
| Kids’ admission | free up to age 5 |
|---|---|
| Family ticket | 440 Kč · Family ticket for 2 adults and 2 children or students (text version). |
- Family tours & workshops
- Hands-on stations
The castle offers family tickets, creative workshops and children’s programmes (a playful guide for children aged 5 to 7, an architectural guide for ages 8 to 15).
Getting there & parking
By public transit
By train from Cheb or Karlovy Vary, change at Nové Sedlo or Chodov to a railcar to Loket, where the line ends. By bus on a direct service from Karlovy Vary, Sokolov or Horní Slavkov to the main stop by the petrol station; then across the bridge to the castle.
By car
No on-site parking at the museum.
There are several car parks for visitors in the town and its surroundings; parking directly in front of the castle is not possible.
From the R6 expressway, take exit 136 (Nové Sedlo) and then road no. 209 for about 2 km to Loket. Bicycles can be locked in front of the castle. A climb to the castle awaits you.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
- Museum shop
Shop selling castle souvenirs, with Rococo frescoes transferred from a country residence in Kostelní Bříza.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| School programs | yes |
| Photography | Photography of the exhibitions is subject to a fee (Photo Card CZK 20). |
| Good to know | Pets must remain outside the castle gates. For schools, commented educational programmes are available (e.g. Řemesla Loketska, Letem Karlovým světem, Kouzelná stezka hradem); the programme must be booked in advance. |
