The largest castle in Prague. Castles and palaces of Prague and its environs. Time and cost of visit

On high cliff rises above the Berounka river gothic castle Karlštejn, which belonged to Charles IV, who went down in history as Holy Roman Emperor. Construction of the castle began in 1348 and ended 17 years later. Moreover, Charles IV moved into it already in 1355. Due to the fact that the emperor was an ardent lover of collecting various relics, Karlštejn, along with its main functions, was also a treasury.

An interesting fact is that Karlštejn Castle was never taken. It was besieged twice by the Hussites (in 1427) and the Swedes (in 1620), but all attempts were unsuccessful. This did not prevent the transfer of Karlštejn Castle into state ownership in the 20th century, after which its gates were opened to numerous tourists.

Škvorec Castle

Škvorec Castle is located in Prague, the capital of the Czech Republic. It is located 22 kilometers east of the center of Prague. It is a unique architectural monument of national importance; its construction dates back to the 13th century.

In 1279, a fortress was built here, from which today the outer fortress wall and a deep well remain. In the 14th century, a Gothic tower and a drawbridge were built. And in the 18th century, the owner of the castle, Maria Theresa of Savoy, built here the Church of St. Anne, statues of St. Donatus and St. Prokop, and the castle received the status of a palace. In the 19th century, the castle fell into disrepair and many buildings were demolished.

In 2008, restoration and restoration work began here. Today there is a museum of the Liechtenstein dynasty, who owned the castle for three hundred years, exhibitions and concert halls. Many legends and beliefs are associated with Škvorec Castle. For example, they claim that the spirit of Maria Theresa of Savoy, under whom the castle reached its peak, still guards the building, in the form of the White Lady of Savoy. And in the main chimney of the castle lives Drak, a kind of Serpent Gorynych, who patronizes local residents. By the way, during the reconstruction of the castle, the chimney was preserved only because of this legend. Škvorec Castle has wine cellars that are famous for their wine collection, Calvados and Nocino walnut liqueur.

Jemnište Castle

Fifty kilometers from the capital of the Czech Republic is the delightful Jemnište Castle. Compared to other castles in the Czech Republic, Jemniště Castle is quite young - it was built in the eighteenth century. The original architectural style of the castle was Baroque, but soon after the completion of construction, Emnište suffered a misfortune. Already in the middle of the eighteenth century, the castle disappeared in a fire - only Joseph's Chapel was saved.

Jemništė Castle was rebuilt. In addition to the Baroque style, notes of the Rococo style appeared in the new building. The owner of the castle to this day is the Sternberg family, who are happy to cooperate with travel companies, allowing you to host numerous excursions and celebrations in your home.

Mniszek pod Brdy Castle

The first mention of Mniszek pod Brdy Castle appears in chronicles dating back to 1352. The castle rose near an important strategic position - the “golden” trade route between the Czech Republic and Bulgaria. For security reasons, trade was carried out inside the castle, which is why Mniszek pod Brdy Castle can be called the first shopping center Czech Republic.

Mniszek pod Brdy Castle also became famous throughout the area for the delicious black beer that was brewed outside its walls from the sixteenth to the seventeenth centuries. Until 1945, the castle alternately belonged to one or another noble family. Today the castle is the property of the Czech state.

Mniszek pod Brdy Castle is surrounded by a picturesque park, in the center of which there is a pond. The castle is a popular wedding venue.

Melnik Castle

Melnik Castle stands at the confluence of the two rivers Vltava and Labe. Connecting together, they form the well-known German Elbe River. From the walls of the castle there is a magnificent view of this natural action. At one time, Melnik Castle received the nickname “Castle of Queens”. The fact is that after the death of the rulers, their wives lived out their days in this castle. Throughout the history of the castle there were 23 such widows.

The castle is especially famous for the fact that it was here that Czech winemaking began more than a thousand years ago. Tasting of the unique wine is still carried out today, thanks to which Melnik is doomed to attract tourists from all over the world. In addition, everyone can stroll through the historical interiors of the castle, enjoy the collection of Baroque paintings and listen to amazing stories from Count Lobkowicz himself, the current owner of the castle, who likes to act as a tour guide.

Křivoklát Castle

Křivoklát Castle, located 40 kilometers from Prague, is one of the oldest castles in the Czech Republic. Surrounded by forests, in the Middle Ages it served as a hunting castle for rich and noble hunting enthusiasts.

The history of the castle dates back to the 11th century, when the Křivoklát fort arose on this site. Two centuries later, the Gothic castle of the Přemyslids, rulers of the Czech Republic, appeared in its place. Rich hunting grounds a large number of game attracted kings and nobles here. This continued until the first fire in the history of the castle. Křivoklát was restored by the future Emperor Charles IV (Prince Wenceslas), and he also added a large tower and an upper courtyard. It is difficult to say how many times after that the castle burned, but each time it was reborn. Since the 16th century, its premises were used as a prison for especially important criminals. The English alchemist Edward Kelly, who was never able to create the philosopher's stone for Emperor Rudolf II, was imprisoned here.

Although the castle was not used as a royal residence, it contains the majestic Great Royal Hall. The royal library, collected in the 18th century, is also kept here. The Knights' Hall displays a collection of weapons and military equipment. Art Gallery stores examples of painting and sculpture from the Middle Ages. The 42-meter-high tower has an observation deck with a picturesque view of the castle and the surrounding area.

Vysehrad Castle

Vysehrad Castle is undoubtedly one of the most ancient historical monuments Czech Republic. The history of its creation dates back to the distant tenth century. He has seen a huge number of rulers, thousands of seasons and was reflected in millions of human eyes.

The fortress, which is located on a hill and is located on the very banks of the Vltava River, towering above it, was once built to protect the city from its southern side. The fortress has withstood a lot, time has left noticeable traces on it, but it still stands and reminds of its great past.

On the vast territory of Vyšehrad there are many cultural and historical monuments, such as the Vyšehrad cemetery, on the territory of which more than 600 national cultural figures rest.

Hořovice Castle

Hořovice Castle was built in the eighteenth century. The place where this unique monument of Czech architecture stands today has a very rich history. Excavations have shown that a human settlement lived here already in the tenth century. Subsequently, a Gothic fortress was built here, which lasted for several centuries and changed many architectural styles, but was burned to the ground in the seventeenth century. The fortress was rebuilt, after which long time was the habitat of officials.

Today Hořovice Castle is a museum and is visited by thousands of tourists every year. The castle presents interesting exhibitions that allow you to get acquainted with the history of three powerful families - the former owners of the castle.

Glubochepy Castle

Hlubočepy Castle is a classic monument of Czech architecture from the 16th century, which today hosts many official ceremonies, concerts and other cultural events. The castle is recognized as an architectural landmark of the Czech Republic - it has been on the country's cultural heritage list since 1958.

Hlubočepy Castle is located on Hlubočepy Street, on the right bank of the Vltava, in the western part of Prague. On the same territory as the castle there are several buildings that served in the Middle Ages for various food and housing needs of the nobility. The first building of the castle was founded in 1571 by Jan Kutowiec. In 1623 it was bought by the royal advisor Pavel Mikhna. After 1948, the Glubocheby fortress was owned by the Defors family, who converted it into a museum. In 1998, the castle was restored in the classical style and its numerous collections were updated, including a collection of ancient medieval weapons.

Excursions are not often held in the Glubochepy castle, but it can be clearly seen from the beautiful Zhvagovsky hill, from where it opens beautiful view to a granary and a tower with a collection of weapons.

Brandys Castle nad Labem

Brandys nad Labem Castle is located in city ​​of the same name. It is approximately 30 kilometers northeast of Prague. The castle was built 700 years ago, during the Renaissance.

Initially, Brandis Castle served as a hunting camp for the Habsburg imperial family. The castle has an impressive architecture and a rich history. Its walls have seen many of the greatest rulers of the Czech Republic.

A huge number of couples in love come there to hold unforgettable wedding ceremonies in the castle. The castle itself has been opened to visitors relatively recently. Sometimes excursions are held here, accompanied by dragoon officers. The castle is a popular tourist destination.

Konopiste Castle

Konopiste Castle is the last residence of the heir to the Astro-Hungarian throne, Franz Ferdinand von Habsburg, whose assassination in 1914 set the stage for the outbreak of the First World War.

The Gothic castle was built in the 13th century for maximum protection against possible sieges. The castle's arsenal includes seven towers, a moat and earthen ramparts. The castle bravely held out its first siege in 1467 for 17 months, but was surrendered to the troops of King George of Poděbrady. The castle was defeated for the second time in 1648, and was completely plundered by Swedish troops. Subsequently, Konopište changed owners several more times, each trying to transform the castle in their own way - this is how Gothic began to turn into Baroque. During the Second World War, the general headquarters of the SS troops was located in the castle.

Pruhonice Castle

Pruhonice Castle is located 15 kilometers west of Prague. The medieval Gothic castle Průhonice was built in the 13th century, and in late XIX century was restored in the neo-Renaissance style. In front of the castle there is a pond in which there are carps.

Around the castle there is a wonderful park of 73 hectares, which contains over five thousand varieties of trees, shrubs, flowers and other plants. The park is intertwined with many paths, their total length reaches 30 kilometers.

The main influx of tourists occurs at the end of spring - beginning of summer, who come here to see the blooming collections of rhododendrons and azaleas.

Brandis Castle

Brandys Castle, a Renaissance monument, is located east of Prague on a small hill. It was built in the 13th century and is known as the hunting estate of Emperor Rudolf II, under whom science and art lived through the Golden Age.

The palace changed several owners, who rebuilt it, changing the style and its image from Gothic to Renaissance, from Baroque to pseudo-Gothic. The sculptor Quadri worked on the bas-relief decoration of the facade.

The windows of the castle offer views of the city of Stara Boleslav, which previously served as the residence of King Wenceslas.

The castle displays exhibits of weapons and cavalry uniforms, as well as valuable books from the Habsburg library.

Nelagozeves Castle

kilometers from Prague. It was built in 1593 for Florian Griespek. In 1623, Nelagozeves was bought by the noble family of Lobkowicz, who are still its owners.

Nelagozeves is not very large when compared with other castles in the Czech Republic. The external decoration of the temple is decorated with sgraffito. Sometimes this castle is called the “Czech Louvre” because it houses a huge number of paintings.

The painting collections of Nelagozeves contain many unique original paintings made by such masters as Rubens, Velasquez, Granach, Bruegel. There are also portraits of artists of the Spanish school. In addition to paintings, the castle houses within its walls manuscripts of musical works by such great composers as Mozart and Beethoven.

If you are a connoisseur of ancient architecture and medieval castles, then your first thought will be a trip to England or Germany. But many people overlook the Czech Republic, which also has a lot to see. This tiny country actually has the densest concentration of castles in the world, with over 2,000 interesting examples in different areas of the Czech Republic. A good starting point for exploring castles is Prague. Some of the most interesting castles The countries are set in beautiful countryside surrounding this beautiful capital.

Castle Coast

Unlike other castles near Prague, Kost is not located high on a hill. Instead, the castle was built in the middle of a dense forest to protect against potential enemies. The castle's name means "bone" and is a direct reference to its stone walls, which were as hard as bone. Kost Castle was built after 1370 and is considered the best preserved Gothic castle in the Czech Republic. Today you can take a tour of the area and see a lot interesting features, including a torture chamber. The castle also organizes many cultural events, including medieval knightly tournaments.

Kokorin Castle

Situated high on a steep hill overlooking the Kokořín Valley, this castle was built around 1320 by order of Hynek Berk of Dube. For many years this medieval fortress was the birthplace of a number of noble families, but fell into decline by the 16th century. Emperor Ferdinand III placed Kokořin Castle on the so-called “cursed” list after Thirty Years' War. It included those structures that were no longer planned to be maintained. As a result, Kokorzhin's condition worsened even more. Fortunately, in 1894, Vaclav Spašek decided to renovate what was left of the once magnificent structure.

Today you can enjoy guided tours throughout the complex, including the terrace within the castle's battlements. For an additional fee, you can also climb the castle tower and enjoy views of the beautiful nature.

Cesky Sternberk

This impressive castle is located on a high bank overlooking the Sazava River and the village of the same name. Many rightly believe that this is one of the best preserved medieval castles in the Czech Republic. Over the years, Cesky Sternberk Castle changed owners several times. Today, the castle, built in 1241, is again owned by its former owners, the Sternberg family. If you decide to visit this site, be sure to check out the collection of rare and unusual copper engravings that depict the history of the Thirty Years' War.

Zvikov Castle

Founded during the first half of the 13th century, Zvikov Castle is located on a hill overlooking the confluence of the Otava and Vltava rivers, offering magnificent views of the surrounding landscape. The Royal Jewels were once kept here, but then the castle found itself in a difficult situation. By 1840, it was practically in ruins. Fortunately, the structure was saved by the Schwarzenberg family, who during the 1880s restored the castle to its former glory. In addition to regular tours Zvikov Castle also offers special ghost tours for brave travelers.

Krivoklat Castle

As you approach the magnificent Krivoklat Castle, you will immediately feel as if you have stepped into a fairy tale. This charming Gothic castle has been used as a filming location for several films. Krivoklat Castle is located in the Krivoklatsko Forest Reserve. It was built at the end of the 13th century as the royal hunting lodge of Charles IV.

Today it is one of the oldest and most important castles Czech Republic, as well as the second most visited castle in the country. Among interesting places There is a dungeon to visit, as well as a torture chamber and a library with more than 52,000 books. The castle houses an excellent collection of Gothic paintings and sculptures. Krivoklat is open to visitors from April to October, except on Mondays.

Karlštejn Castle

One look at Karlstejn, built in 1348, is enough to understand why it is the most visited castle in the Czech Republic. Built by the Czech King and Roman Emperor Charles IV on a hill overlooking the Berunka River, this huge Gothic castle is simply magnificent. Karlštejn also served as the royal treasury, where the royal regalia of the Holy Roman Empire and other treasures, including precious Czech relics, were kept.

Located 29 km southwest of Prague beautiful castle returned to its original medieval state. Must-see areas include the Chapel of the Holy Cross with its treasure-lined walls.

The pride of the country and the main attractions of the Czech Republic are its castles, of which there are about 2,500. Almost every corner of the Czech Republic has its own castle - an ancient one, with an interesting ancient history. Castles - the fortified dwellings of feudal lords - were built according to a certain structure: the castle itself (hail) with a church, surrounded by one or several outskirts, gradually built up and used for economic purposes. During the Renaissance, castles lost their significance as military fortresses and turned into comfortable dwellings. In the 19th century, many Czech castles were rebuilt in the spirit of romanticism, acquiring neo-Gothic elements and a certain “English accent”. At the end of the 20th century, some castles were returned to the families that historically owned them as part of restitution, others became hotels, and others became museums. Many castles today offer guests magnificent theatrical performances - excursions into the history of the Czech Republic, organizing knightly tournaments, costume performances, concerts of ancient music, and tastings of Czech cuisine. Below is a list of the most famous castles in the Czech Republic.

Hluboka nad Vltava

Hluboka nad Vltava is a beautiful, airy structure made of white stone, reminiscent of Windsor Castle in England, built in the 13th century. The castle, decorated with 11 turrets, received its modern appearance under the Schwarzenbergs after the reconstruction of 1841-1971. Gothic details make the castle picturesque: bay windows, galleries, battlements and stone chimeras. There is an excellent English park around the castle with rare plant species, ponds and a nature reserve. The castle houses a collection of Gothic art from South Bohemia and Šumava, Dutch paintings from the 16th-18th centuries and Czech objects visual arts and sculptures of the 20th century. Tourists are usually shown the luxurious interiors of state rooms with collections of carpets, carvings, glass, porcelain, paintings, furniture; chapels, the castle kitchen, the armory, the theater and the winter garden.

Karlštejn Castle

This castle is located just 33 km southwest of Prague. It was founded by the Czech king Charles IV in the century. 1348. Karlstejn, located on a high cliff above the Berounka River, was conceived as a symbol of imperial power and, at the same time, as an impregnable repository of the most important state documents, Czech coronation regalia, jewelry and holy relics. The most famous Czech masters worked on the decoration of the castle, including M. Wurmser, T. da Modena and Master Theodoric. Throughout its long history, the castle passed from one noble Czech family to another, was rebuilt, and restored. The modern look of the castle was given by the architect Joseph Mocker, who began the restoration of the castle under Emperor Franz Joseph I, and adhered to the principle of purism in architecture. It was thanks to Mocker that the castle retained the purity of the architectural style typical of the Middle Ages, without interspersing other styles.

In the castle today you can see unique wall paintings from the 14th century; the world's largest collection of medieval wood painting - 129 masterpieces by Master Theodoric, located in the Chapel of the Holy Cross; the largest collection of portraits in the Czech Republic Czech rulers.

Konopiste Castle

The castle-town of Konopište was built by representatives of the Benešovitch family at the end of the 13th - beginning of the 14th centuries. At one time, this fortress had no equal among the castles of the Czech Republic. In subsequent centuries, the castle changed many owners and underwent renovations several times. One of the architects who worked on its design was the famous Joseph Mocker, under whom the building acquired an early Gothic appearance with elements of the French style with a dominant cylindrical tower visible from afar. Since 1921, Konopiste with all its contents belongs to the state. The castle houses many exhibits of enormous historical value: antique furniture, porcelain, majolica, chandeliers, tapestries, weapons and armor, hunting trophies, art collections.

Czech Sternberk

The Gothic Czech Sternberk Castle is located on a cliff above the Sazava River. This is one of the oldest castles in the Czech Republic - it was founded in 1241 by Zdeslav from Divisov. The building turned from a defensive structure into a comfortable castle in the second half of the 17th century, after reconstruction in the early Baroque style. The castle today is owned by the Sternberk family - the fortress was returned to its original owners in 1992. The current owner, Zdenek Sternberk, independently conducts tours of the halls and tells tourists about how the castle was confiscated by the communists, and the Sternberk family agreed to do menial work for the opportunity to huddle in a closet under the stairs.

The castle has stunning historical interiors, furnished in various styles: Renaissance, Baroque, Empire, richly decorated - with stucco work by Carlo Brentana (17th century), crystal chandeliers and tiled fireplaces. In addition, it is worth seeing a unique collection of silver miniatures from the 17th century, a collection of weapons from the Thirty Years' War, hunting trophies, and a collection of family portraits.

Loket Castle

Of particular interest to visitors is Loket Castle, located on a rock in the vicinity of the city, at the bend of the Ohře River. The castle is one of the architectural and cultural monuments of the Czech Republic of the Middle Ages. Despite the fact that the castle was rebuilt, it retained its original appearance.

It once belonged to the Czech kings and was even administrative center Loket region. Also, Loket Castle in the old days served as the hunting residence of the Luxembourg kings. Thanks to its high stone walls, harsh interior decoration, special style of buildings, narrow streets, ancient squares and other elements of historical and architectural value, Loket has become favorite place tourists visiting the Czech Republic.

It got its name from the word “elbow”. It is the shape of the curved hand that is reminiscent of the bend of the Ohře River, on the banks of which Loket stands. The castle was first mentioned in written sources in 1234. The question of which of the rulers of the Czech Republic founded the fortress is still debatable. Among the possible founders are Prince Vladislav II, King Přemysl I Otakar and King Wenceslas I. In 1822, a prison was built here, which operated until 1949. Since 1968 it has been a cultural monument and is open to the public as a museum. The filming of the film “Casino Royale” took place in the castle.

Melnik Castle

In ancient times, Czech kings did not divorce - they sent their unloved wives to the Melnik fortress, or the queens, on their own initiative, fled to Melnik from their hated husbands. The castle began to be called the “city of queens”, and received decorations befitting the high-society amusements of Czech aristocrats. The frivolous mood that hovered in the castle premises was greatly facilitated by the fact that Melnik had always been famous for his wine. This fact never ceases to amaze tourists, who are confident that the Czech Republic is famous for its only drink - beer. Meanwhile, the traditions of local winemaking go back a thousand years. Melnik’s most famous wines are the red “Ludmila” and “Chateau Melnik”.

Today the castle belongs to the original owners - the Lobkowicz family. The owners not only give tours of the castle, but also invite you to taste local wine in the castle cellars.

Orlik Castle

The city of Orlik was founded in the second half of the 13th century, and like many other historical buildings, it survived destruction and reconstruction in its lifetime. Today the castle, decorated in pseudo-Gothic style, is the only residence in the country of the Schwarzenberg family, who once owned the entire Southern Bohemia.

The castle was returned to the owner, Charles VII Schwarzenberg, who organizes excursions for tourists and breeds fish in Lake Orlicke. The exposition of the fortress introduces the history of the family and art collections stored in the castle.

Rožmberk nad Vltavou

The city of Rožmberk is the custodian of the most popular ghost legend in Europe - the legend of the White Lady. The castle, standing on the high bank of the Vltava, was founded in the 13th century by the knights of the five-petalled rose - the Rosenbergs (or Rozmberks, in the Czech way), who were relatives of the powerful Vitkovci, who founded Cesky Krumlov.

In today's castle you can see historical interiors, permanent exhibitions of Renaissance furniture, porcelain, glass, weapons, visit a torture museum, and a gallery of modern art.

Křivoklát Castle

Křivoklát is an ancient hunting castle of the Czech kings (12th century), located in a picturesque area 55 km west of Prague. The monarchs arrived in Křivoklát, accompanied by a hunting squad, courtiers and chancellery. In addition, this castle is considered the most mysterious of all the castles in the Czech Republic, because, according to legend, it is within its walls that the secret is kept Philosopher's Stone, allegedly solved by alchemist Edward Kelly. The alchemist died in Křivoklát without revealing the secret eternal youth Emperor Rudolf II.

Today Křivoklát belongs to the state, restoration work and archaeological research are taking place there. Tourists should see the Knights' Hall, the castle chapel, the Fürstenberg museum-library, the hunting hall, the torture museum, and a collection of historical sleighs.

Zbiroh Castle

Zbiroh Castle was very mysterious place for a thousand years - not a single random traveler managed to get into it. Moreover, until 2004 there was no information about this castle in any guidebook. The top secrecy was caused by the fact that at all times Zbiroh Castle was considered a gathering place for members of the Masonic Lodge. However, as they say, it serves this purpose to this day: secret ceremonies are held on days free from tourists. It was not by chance that the powerful community chose Zbiroh: the castle rises on a rock made of jasper, which, according to legend, has exceptional mystical powers. In addition, there are more prosaic reasons why the castle was inaccessible at different times: during the Second World War it housed the main headquarters of the SS, and in socialist times the castle housed a secret radar station for the Warsaw Pact countries.

Zbiroh is one of the oldest castles in the Czech Republic; it was founded in the 13th century by a certain Zbynek Zaic. The first written mention of Zbirog dates back to 1230. Over the centuries, the owners of the castle were the Přemyslids, Rosenbergs, Kolovrats, Lobkovits, Strausbergs, etc. The castle was often rented out; for example, in the 19th century, the artist Alphonse Mucha lived there with his family. The castle took on its current New Renaissance appearance after reconstruction in 1868 according to the design of the architect August Orth. Since 1997, the castle has become the property of the city of Zbiroh, and since 2005 it has been opened to tourists. The castle has many buildings and objects related to the history of the Masonic community. However, a person far from Freemasonry can understand their secret meaning only with a guide. Open to visitors today Big hall, palace fountain, chapel, park, permanent exhibition “Beauties and Mysteries of the Czech Republic”. Mystery lovers are attracted by the intricate underground complex and the deepest well in Europe, in which they are still searching for the Amber Room.

Detenice Castle

Detenice Castle is located in the village of the same name in the north of the Czech Republic, 80 km from Prague, on the territory of a nature reserve Czech Paradise. The castle, built in the 11th century under the Krzynecki family, changed owners several times, among whom were representatives of first knightly families, then noble families. The styles of subsequent reconstructions also changed, according to the spirit of the times and fashion: from the Gothic fortress Detenice turned into a palace in the Baroque style. The castle has 16 rooms with unique interiors, among the collections of Detenice is a collection of weapons of the Maltese Knights (more than 300 exhibits), hunting trophies, and a rich art gallery.

Currently, the owners of the estate are the Ondračkovs, who, having bought the estate, renovated the castle and opened it to visitors. They organized a brewing museum at the castle and opened an old brewery where they brew beer using ancient technologies. After a tour of the castle, guests are offered a cultural program: a costumed medieval show, a hearty hearty dinner with beer tasting.

Sychrov Castle

Sychrov Castle is a large, romantic castle built at the end of the 17th century on the site of an ancient Gothic fortress surrounded by picturesque landscape. Throughout its history, the castle was reconstructed several times: first in the Empire style, then in the spirit of pseudo-Gothic. Since 1820, the castle was owned by the famous French family of Roganov, who were related to the French crown. It was through the efforts of the Roganovs that the castle acquired exceptional harmony of external and internal decoration. The castle attracts tourists with its original interiors, decorated with rich carvings, valuable collections of paintings (a rare collection of French portraits), porcelain, mosaics, tin and glassware. The castle has a magnificent classic English park. As befits a real Czech castle, Sychrov has its own legend with a ghost - about the ghost of the Black Lady, guarding the wealth hidden in the dungeons.

Lednice Castle

Lednice Castle is one of the most famous Czech castles, located in a picturesque park on the Dyje River. Being cultural heritage UNESCO and one of the largest castle parks in Europe, Lednice includes 37 sites. The castle has been mentioned in chronicles since 1222. From 1332 until the end of World War II, the fortress belonged to one owner - the Liechtenstein family. Today the castle is the property of the state. The castle was given a modern look by the Viennese architect Jiri Wingelmüller, who decorated the facade with fancy balconies, arches, crenellated turrets, columns, and decorated the interiors with carved wooden and bone reliefs. Visitors can visit the Hunting and Blue Halls, the African Room, the Chinese Study, and the castle park with a unique 19th-century palm greenhouse.

Recently the castle has been open to visitors in winter season. In addition, hot mineral springs, and is now developing on their basis thermal resort Lednice. In addition, residents of the surrounding villages keep winemaking traditions, so tourists should visit the castle cellars and taste real Moravian wine.

Pernštejn Castle

Pernštejn Castle, founded in the 13th century, is located on a rocky hill above the town of Nedvedice. The foundation of the city is associated with the legend of the coal miner Venava (Vojtekh), which explains the appearance of the castle coat of arms - in the shape of a bison head with a ring in the nostrils. The city, which was rebuilt several times, in the 16th century turned into a powerful Gothic-Renaissance fortress, which has survived to this day. Minor changes in the Baroque and Rococo styles affected only the interiors of the castle.

In 2005, there was a fire in the castle, causing damage amounting to 100 million crowns, which, however, did not affect its attendance. The castle has served as a film set for numerous films, including Nosferatu: Phantom of the Night, Luther and Van Helsing.

Friedland Castle

The Friedland castle complex consists of a medieval Gothic castle, luxury castle in the Renaissance style and a 50-meter tower. The castle was built in the 13th century at the intersection of important trade routes. Since 1558, the castle was owned by the noble family of Redern, famous not only for its success in trade and military affairs, but also for its passion for the arts. It was under them that at the turn of the 16th and 17th centuries a castle appeared, richly decorated using the sgraffito technique. A succession of owners throughout the history of the castle reconstructed and rebuilt the castle.

In 1801, Friedland became the first castle in Europe to open its doors to the general public. Today in the castle you can visit a museum, the exhibition of which is dedicated to the history of the 30 Years' War and the life of the former owner of the castle, Albrecht of Wallenstein. You can also see valuable interior items, a rich collection of weapons, paintings, and a unique collection of smoking pipes.

Bouzov Castle

Bouzov Castle was founded at the beginning of the 14th century. Until the end of the 17th century, the building changed owners several times, until in 1696 it was bought by the Order of the Teutonic Knights, who soon abandoned the castle. Its reconstruction took place only at the turn of the 19th-20th centuries - in 1895-1910, when the castle received its modern look, in which various artistic styles are organically intertwined. The Teutons remained the masters of Bouzov until 1939, after which the castle was confiscated by the Nazis. After the war, Bozov became state property.

There is information that the Teutonic Order, revived these days, is trying to legally return the castle, which it owned for 250 years, but so far without success. Today, the historical and artistic value of the castle is the huge number of artistic treasures stored within its walls. The castle has its own ancient legend about a ghost - the ghost of a girl, treacherously deceived by a noble knight.

Hrádek u Nechanice Castle

The neo-Gothic castle of Hrádek u Nehanice in the Kralove Hrádec region is one of the latest castles in the Czech Republic, built in the mid-19th century as the family estate of the aristocratic Harrach dynasty. However, a fortified citadel has stood on this site since the end of the 14th century. Thanks to the works of Count Francis Arnost Harrach, a rich collection of antique exhibits from all over Europe has been collected here.

In the entrance hall of the castle there is a collection of hunting weapons from the 16th and XVII centuries, halberds, as well as armor. Here you can see ancient carvings by local artisans. The Knights' Hall at one time served to receive guests. Its walls are decorated with portraits of famous representatives of the Harrach family, coats of arms of the castle owners and related families. The hall owes its “medieval” name to six complete tournament armor of the 16th century, located in the corners of the room. Some of the exhibits in the hall are of Venetian origin.

In the castle it is also worth visiting the luxurious Golden Hall with the clock of the Austrian Emperor Leopold I, the Müchelgrub Salon, the Count's Salon, the offices of the Count and Countess, the Playing Room with fabric wallpaper, the library, the hunting room, the Oriental Salon, equipped only after 1945, and other apartments . A massive oak staircase leads to the rooms located on the ground floor. Two castle rooms are intended for church ceremonies - the sacristy and the chapel of St. Anne with icons and a cross of the 15th century. The chapel also houses Hrádek's oldest exhibit, a marble Roman crypt from the late 10th and early 11th centuries.

Žleby Castle

The medieval castle of Žleby, which served as the residence of the ancient Czech feudal family of Lichtenburg, is located in the Kutna Hora district, in the Central Bohemian region. Like most castles, it was built as defensive fortress. Over the centuries, the castle changed owners several times and was rebuilt in the style of late Gothic, Renaissance, or Baroque. It acquired its final neo-Gothic appearance in the 19th century, and in 1945 it was nationalized.

Zhleby is located on the banks of the Doubrava River, which was the reason for its name (“Zhlaba” - the mouth of the river). Small and neat, the castle contains many truly “medieval” attractions - the head of a bison above the castle gate, a knight clad in armor in the hallway, a knight's hall with a veranda, wallpaper made of real deerskin, an impressive staircase, a castle theater with medieval costumes, as well as cellars with secret passages. IN excursion route also includes the Great Blue Hall, the Red Office, which served as a ceremonial salon, the Tyrolean room and the old kitchen. In addition, in Zleby there is an exhibition dedicated to the life of Czech aristocrats of the 19th century, an extensive collection of weapons, paintings, crystal and porcelain, a collection of paintings from the 16th-19th centuries, and antique furniture.

Around the castle there is a picturesque English park with a nature reserve inhabited by rare white deer. The only drawback of the castle is that photography is prohibited here.

Our blog contains many individual articles about castles in the Czech Republic. In this article I would like to systematize this information and tell you about those Czech castles, which are a must-see during your trip.

If you come to Prague for a week, I recommend that you don’t spread yourself thin and visit only nearby castles – within 100 km from Prague. If you are visiting Prague not for the first time, and have already managed to get acquainted with the surroundings of the Czech capital, you can safely go on a trip to castles remote from Prague.

I will not indicate the operating hours of the locks, because... The schedule varies depending on the season. IN winter time– from November to the end of February, many castles are closed, and you can only get to them with a guided tour. Let me make a reservation right away that visiting most Czech castles is only possible as part of a guided tour, but even if you come as part of a group, the tour is still conducted by a local guide. The cost of a ticket to the castle is indicated with the expectation that you will buy a tour not in Czech, but in English or Russian.

• by direct train from Prague Main Station to Karlštejn stop, travel time: 40 minutes, train ticket price: 56 CZK one way.
• 150-500 CZK depending on the chosen castle tour route

A one-day ticket is also available for 30 euros (tickets to the castle are paid separately) – a must-see Gothic castle, located just 35 km from Prague. An ideal option for a one-day excursion from Prague. The castle is located in picturesque place

• – on a 72-meter limestone cliff above the river, so be prepared for an uphill climb. After the climb, you will be rewarded with enchanting views of the green forests spread around, small houses with red tiled roofs. The castle was founded in 1348. The founder was the Holy Roman Emperor and King of Bohemia Charles IV. The castle kept the regalia of Bohemian and Czech kings, as well as the St. Wenceslas crown of the Czech kings. Visiting Prague and not visiting Karlštejn Castle is an unforgivable mistake, so go here without any hesitation. How to get there on your own: by train from Prague main station to the Křivoklát stop with a transfer in the city of Beroun, travel time: 1 hour 47 minutes, train ticket price: 110 CZK one way. Price entrance ticket to the castle:

240-340 CZK depending on the chosen castle tour route

The first mention of the castle dates back to the 12th century - in those days it served as a hunting castle for Czech rulers, which is not surprising - the surrounding forests are teeming with wild boars, roe deer and foxes. While walking around the castle you will see the dungeon, knightly and royal hall, a huge library with more than 50 thousand books. When visiting the castle, don't forget to check out the nearby observation deck, from which you can take excellent photos of the powerful facade of the castle. Also check out the hunting restaurant U Jelena next to the castle, which serves game from the surrounding forests.

Konopiste Castle

• – on a 72-meter limestone cliff above the river, so be prepared for an uphill climb. After the climb, you will be rewarded with enchanting views of the green forests spread around, small houses with red tiled roofs. The castle was founded in 1348. The founder was the Holy Roman Emperor and King of Bohemia Charles IV. The castle kept the regalia of Bohemian and Czech kings, as well as the St. Wenceslas crown of the Czech kings. Visiting Prague and not visiting Karlštejn Castle is an unforgivable mistake, so go here without any hesitation. by direct train to Benešov u Prahy station, travel time: 40 minutes, train ticket cost: 78 CZK one way. Entrance fee to the castle: 320 CZK
• Also available one day excursion to Karlstejn Castle + Konopiste Castle for 30 euros (tickets to the castle are paid separately)

50 km from Prague is located one of the most beautiful and unusual buildings in the Czech Republic -. The castle served as the hunting residence of Franz Ferdinand d'Este (it was because of the assassination of Franz Ferdinand that the First World War began World War), who loved hunting and collected hunting trophies and works of art. The collection of hunting weapons in Konopiste Castle is the largest in Europe and numbers 4,682 items, the collection of hunting trophies is about 300,000 items. The tour of the castle is very interesting - such richly decorated interiors, in my opinion, cannot be found in any other Czech castle.

The castle is surrounded by an English park with statues, terraces and a rose garden. We recommend that you go to Konopiste Castle in spring or summer to enjoy walks in the park or take the amazing road leading to the castle from the train station. A pleasant end to your walk around the castle will be a visit to the Stará myslivna restaurant, where you can taste dishes from wild boar, pheasant, roe deer or carp from the Konopišti pond. This place, by the way, was not ignored in the popular program on the Friday channel - “Food, I love you.”

Blatna Castle

• – on a 72-meter limestone cliff above the river, so be prepared for an uphill climb. After the climb, you will be rewarded with enchanting views of the green forests spread around, small houses with red tiled roofs. The castle was founded in 1348. The founder was the Holy Roman Emperor and King of Bohemia Charles IV. The castle kept the regalia of Bohemian and Czech kings, as well as the St. Wenceslas crown of the Czech kings. Visiting Prague and not visiting Karlštejn Castle is an unforgivable mistake, so go here without any hesitation. by rental car, travel time: 1.5-2 hours; by train with a transfer to Blatná station, travel time: 2.5 hours, train ticket cost: 171 CZK one way. Entrance fee to the castle: 200-360 CZK depending on the chosen route for visiting the castle, visiting the castle park is free

For almost 700 years, the castle belonged to the powerful Liechtenstein family. During this time, the Liechtensteins turned their possessions into a single palace and park ensemble. During the tour of Lednice Castle you will see the entrance hall, hunting salon, bathroom, hallway, blue room, ladies' bedroom, Chinese room and study, knights' hall, dining room, library. The Baroque Valtice Castle also belonged to the Liechtenstein family. In the dungeons of the castle there is a wine salon where you can taste and buy a bottle of Czech wine.

Orlik Castle

• – on a 72-meter limestone cliff above the river, so be prepared for an uphill climb. After the climb, you will be rewarded with enchanting views of the green forests spread around, small houses with red tiled roofs. The castle was founded in 1348. The founder was the Holy Roman Emperor and King of Bohemia Charles IV. The castle kept the regalia of Bohemian and Czech kings, as well as the St. Wenceslas crown of the Czech kings. Visiting Prague and not visiting Karlštejn Castle is an unforgivable mistake, so go here without any hesitation. by rental car, travel time: 1 hour. Entrance fee to the castle: 250 CZK
• A one-day author's session is also available for 30 euros