Castles Karlštejn and Křivoklát

According to the chronicles, construction of the castle began in 1348. Architecturally, it consists of several parts: the lower courtyard with the well tower and the burgrave’s house, the middle part with the palace premises and the Small Tower, and at the very top of the mountain spur — A large tower 60 meters high with its own fortifications. Its Chapel of the Holy Cross housed holy relics, coronation treasures and the royal archives. 

During the reign of King Přemysl Otakar II, a magnificent royal castle was built. Křivoklát, one of the oldest and most important castles in Czech history, was founded in the 12th century. The greatest Czech king and Holy Roman Emperor, Charles IV, often visited here, both as a child and as an adult. The castle was rebuilt by his son Wenceslas IV, and survived several fires, including those that occurred during the Hussite Wars, when the coronation regalia were kept here. In the Middle Ages, the castle served as a prison and place of torture, which reduced its importance. During the Romantic period, the castle belonged to the Fürstenberg family, who began its restoration. The excursion to Křivoklát from Prague lasts about 4 hours.