Karlstejn Castle

Karlsteijn Castle is a gothic castle and was founded in 1348. It is 45 minutes by train from Prague. It holds a unique position among other Czech castles. It was built by the Bohemian king and Holy Roman Emperor Charles IV. It was built in several stages and over a period of seventy years (which was quite fast at the time). 

Initially Charles IV wanted it as a place for safekeeping of royal treasures, especially Charles’ collection of holy relics and the Crown Jewels of the Holy Roman Empire.  

The Holy Roman Empire existed between 962 and 1806 when it was destroyed by Napoleon Bonaparte.

To-day the castle it is owned by the Czech state. At one stage it fell into disrepair but in the 19th Century, helped by the Hapsburg’s it was restored.

You can only see part of the inside (where photos are not allowed). There is an ornate chapel “the Chapel of St. Catherine” that visitors are only allowed to see a few times a year. 

The following was written in 1365 “The Emperor built this remarkable castle with very strong fortifications.. and established a large chapel inside the upper tower, the walls of which he covered with pure gold and precious stones... and decorated it with valuable wall paintings. This is the most valuable castle and chapel in the entire world, and justifiable so, because the Emperor gathered the imperial symbols and treasures of his whole kingdom here.”

The guide was a very well informed historian and there are many original and reproduction exhibits from the time of Charles IV. He lived 1316-1378 and was Holy Roman Emperor from 1355-1378.