Castles in Karlovy Vary. Castles of Karlovy Vary Fresco Hall

Loket Stone Castle is located in the Czech Republic, near the famous spa town of Karlovy Vary. The distance from Prague to it is 120 kilometers.

The castle stands on the banks of the Orge River, the bend of which resembles an elbow in shape. That is why Loket got its name.

The entire castle is a complex of buildings - a similar structure was typical of the Middle Ages. At the foot of Loket, there is a small town of the same name where you can take a walk, dine or, if you are lucky, see the local medieval-style fair.

I was very impressed with the contrast between the stone gray-brown walls of the castle and the bright colored, as in many cities of the country, walls of urban houses and their red roofs.

They say that if you came to the Czech Republic and did not visit a single castle, then you spent your time in vain. In this article I will not describe all the palaces of this country - there are too many of them. I’ll tell you that you can see interesting things in Loket Castle.

A bit of history

According to one version, the castle was built as a border fortress approximately in the X century. This sounds quite plausible, since geographically it is located next to the lands of Germany. The first mention of it in written sources dates back to 1234, that is, in the Middle Ages. At that time, the territory of modern Prague was a tidbit for neighboring states, so forts and fortifications were built throughout the Czech Republic.

When, with the advent of Charles IV to power, the need to defend disappeared, Loket did not lose his high status and became the residence of Czech kings. Under Wenceslas IV (the son of Charles IV), the castle continued to expand and soon became an even more important fortress.

In the XV century, Loket became the property of the noble family of Shlikov, after which it gradually began to decline. In 1822, a prison was organized here, which operated until 1949.

After that, attention was paid to the historical building, as well as to many similar castles and palaces of the Czech Republic at that time. It was restored, and since 1968 Loket became a cultural monument and a museum.

Organizational moments

As mentioned above, Loket - uh a museum where you can see various historical exhibits, walk through the halls in which onceheld feasts and celebrations, as well as learn some legends and interesting information. The complex consists of 9 parts available for inspection.

The castle has a single entrance ticket. It can be purchased by going through the gate and hitting the cash register.

Cashbox

1. With a guide:

• full - 150 CZK;
• preferential (children up to 15 years old, students, pensioners) - 125 kroons;
• family (two adults and two children) - 380 CZK.

2. Without a guide, but with printed text (something like a guide), which provides information about each part of the complex, as well as about some exhibitsin Czech, German, Russian, English, Danish, Dutch, Swedish, Polish, Hungarian and Spanish:

• full - 100 kroons;
• preferential - 80 kroons;
• family - 300 CZK.

Working hours

The lock is open for visitors daily, but depending on the month, the opening hours also change:

• june-August from 9.00 to 18.30;
• september-October and April May from 9.00 to 17.00;
• november-March from 9.00 to 16.00.

Visitors are allowed to enter the castle no later than 30 minutes before closing time.

What to see

Tower

This is a Romanesque tower 26 meters high with a square foundation. Inside it, the remains of the guard's room were preserved. They say that under the tower lives a dragon guarding treasures. I do not know what the initial size of wealth was, but tourists, who have the habit of throwing a coin as a keepsake, clearly enriched the treasure.

You can also climb the tower and through the loophole to look around: colorful beautiful streets of the city, surrounded by greenery, cafes, restaurants and other delights of the Loket landscapes.

Margrave

Margrave is an official subordinate to the king and has broad powers in judicial, administrative and military affairs. A similar title was common in the early Middle Ages in Europe. About stock of rulers who visited the castle or lived in it, gowhether there are legends.

In the castle a whole building is reserved for reconstruction  on the second floor of which original furniture and interior items have been preserved. Here you can see painted cabinets, paintings and sculptures.

But not all interesting specimens were preserved, since the house was almost destroyed by fire in 1745. It was rebuilt and reconstructed several times, and after the castle became a cultural monument, a porcelain museum was organized on one of the floors of the house.

Here you can listen to a lecture on the history of the castle.

Jail

As already mentioned in the historical background, a little more than a hundred years in prison there was a prison. In some buildings of the palace complex, several floors of cold and damp authentic dungeons have been preserved.

In one of them lives a disheveled peasant named Shrakakal. He punishes untidy and unkempt children.

Ceremonial hall

Located on the second floor of the outbuilding in the eastern part of the castle. The hall is decorated with original murals depicting a fire at the main gate at the beginning of the 17th century.

The ceiling is paved with boards painted to match the room.

The walls are decorated with portraits of prominent historical figures. Once upon a time, solemn ceremonies, councils and meetings were held here, as well as weddings. And now everyone can walk through this hall and introduce themselves as a participant in these actions.

Archaeological Hall

Located on the ground floor of the castle, decorated in late Romanesque style. In this room, tourists can see archaeological finds from the castle and a meteorite layout. A hundred-kilogram stone fell on Loket around the year 1400. Then the event was credited with a magical character, and later the meteorite was protected as the apple of an eye from all kinds of conquerors.

But the original is still not preserved today - it was cut into pieces and sent to various museums in the world for scientific research.

Fresco Hall

In the exhibition hall, adjacent to the archaeological, frescoes dated to the beginning of the 15th century are kept.

Armouries

Located in the outbuilding near the tower. Here you can see a small exhibition of firearms and stabbing weapons.

As I recall, the visitors are presented with the following things: a small cannon, a set of poleaxes on the wall, shotguns in display cases, as well as knightly metal armor.

Torture Chambers

Here the defendants were tortured in order to gain recognition. This went through several stages: from intimidation to the use of special torturous tools. Using mannequins demonstrate some methods of torture. You can peek into the cameras through special windows or open doors.

Part of the devices is presented in the windows: a vice for crushing bones, tongs for cauterization, and so on. At the same time, terrible and heartbreaking sounds are heard in the dungeon. The atmosphere, I tell you, is not for the faint of heart. Therefore, I advise you to think carefully before visiting this exhibition or bringing children here.

Rotunda Chapel

This building arose in the north-eastern part of the castle at the end of the XII century. It is a small structure, only 3.5 meters in diameter. As I was told, this is the smallest such building in the whole Czech Republic! Until the second half of the 20th century, that is, before the reconstruction began, the rotunda was hidden in the walls of the palace.

A restaurant

There is a restaurant at the castle. It is open daily from 11.00 to 22.00. I was not inside, but I heard what they cook there.

How to get there

This castle is closest to the city of Karlovy Vary. Therefore, it is good to get from there, especially if you are going to this spa pearl for treatment or for an excursion. How to get from Prague to Karlovy Vary I told in.

But from Karlovy Vary to the castle and the town of the same name Loket can be reached in the following ways:

There are similar options to get to the castle from Prague:

1. By car. The distance will be about 140 km, such a trip will take about two hours.
2. By train. You can get there in 4.5 hours, of course, having made a transplant, or even more than one. At a cost you can focus on 500 crowns.
3. Bus from the main station of Prague "Florenc" (read how to get to it). The journey takes about 3.5 hours. A ticket will cost about 400 CZK.

Castle address: Hrad Loket, o.p.s., Zámecká 67, 357 33 Loket, Czech Republic.

• It was in this castle that the shooting of the famous movie "Casino Royale" from the James Bond series (frame below) took place. After I found out, I immediately wanted to see it.

• Now in the ceremonial hall of Loket Castle you can arrange a concert, a medieval feast, a celebration and even a wedding procession. The latter is especially popular among tourists. They put on traditional medieval wedding costumes and conduct the ceremony according to the customs of that era.
• In principle, anyone can rent a room and hold almost any event there. The price of such pleasures, of course, is considerable - an average of 50 thousand crowns per evening or about 100 thousand per day. But you must admit, this is one of the reasons why so few people can boast that they celebrated an event in a real castle?

• They say that the walls of this castle saw a lot of cruelty of its rulers. I think the kings of the Middle Ages did not differ in a particularly kind disposition, but we still won’t know what horrors they were doing there without prying eyes. So one of the legends, the particularly ruthless margrave was even recalled by a poor woman who could not pay taxes, and turned into stone.
• According to another story, it was the importance for Charles VI of this castle, where many important meetings were held, that served as the reason for the founding of Karlovy Vary. On a hunt, the emperor discovered one of them and ordered the construction of a whole city near him! As far as I remember, it was with the advent of this ruler for the country that the heyday, the "Golden Age" began.

In the vicinity of Prague there are many famous castles that you must definitely see. You can visit the castles near Prague on your own or by ordering a tour. Each of them is unique, has a unique atmosphere and is located in a picturesque place. The tour can be booked by contacting the numerous travel agencies in Prague. Some castles provide their own guides for a fee, who conduct tours of the building.

Read this article

Karlstejn

The castle is famous all over the world. It is located on a cliff 72 meters high. It was built in the middle of the XIV century by order of King Charles IV and named after him. Initially, the castle was used to store relics. Karlstejn is built on the principle of stepwise arrangement of individual buildings. At the bottom of the ensemble is a large courtyard, Lower Castle and the main gate. The imperial palace and the church are located above. At the very top of the cliff is the Big Tower, as well as the fortifications. This principle of construction makes the castle powerful and noticeable from afar.

Karlstejn has unique wall paintings that have survived from the 14th century. It preserved a collection of paintings by Theodoric. It is the largest in the world and has 129 works of art. In Karlstejn is an exact copy of the royal crowns and a gallery of rulers.

Guided tours can be booked on site. The castle offers 3 hiking trails. The duration of 1 route is about 1 hour. During this time, you can see part of the Imperial Palace, the Mariana Tower, the Noble and Knight's Halls, and the prison.

The cost for an ordinary tourist is 11 euros, for children over 6 years old, students and pensioners 7 euros, for children under 6 years old free of charge. For reservation you need to pay 1 euro. Photographing is possible for a fee of 6 euros.

The second route involves visiting the Mariana and the Big Tower, the chapel of St. Catherine and the Holy Cross, an art gallery, a library. The tour lasts about 110 minutes. Only possible by prior reservation, the cost of which is 1 euro. A ticket for adults will cost 13 euros, for students, pensioners and children over 6 years old - 9 euros, children under 6 years old - free of charge. Photography is prohibited.

The third tour covers only the floors of the Big Tower. The cost of 6 euros for adults, 4 euros for beneficiaries, preschool children free of charge. Photography is free.

Sikhrov

The castle is rightly called the pearl of the northern part of the Czech Republic. It belongs to the category of castles near Prague that everyone should see. Sykhrov was built in the 15th century. He came to us with significant reconstructions. After World War II, the castle was confiscated from its former owners and became state-owned. Subsequently, Sikhrov was restored. The castle belongs to the neo-Gothic style.

Next to it is a huge English park. It contains several species of oaks and beech trees, some plants are quite rare. The park has a water tower, a chapel, greenhouses, fountains and pools.

Hluboka over the Vltava

One of the most popular castles in the Czech Republic near Prague is a snow-white building located in a picturesque place. It is Deep above the Vltava. The castle was built in the middle of the 13th century. The owners of Hluboka nad Vltavou often rebuilt the castle, so it came to us in a very modified form. At first it was used as a watchtower. The owners were representatives of noble aristocratic clans. In the XVII century, a park was established near the castle. After the Second World War, Hluboka nad Vltavou passed into the possession of the state.

The castle offers 6 routes for its guests. Inspect the garden, take a picture on its background is absolutely free.

A special route has been developed for winter. Tourists are offered to get acquainted with the interiors of the first floor, where there were personal chambers of the last inhabitants. Here are unique engravings, trophies, portraits of the owners. On the ground floor, tourists can see the dining rooms. The walls are decorated with hunting weapons, because almost all the owners of the castle were avid hunters. All halls are heated. Entrance to the tour costs 9 euros, for students 6 euros, for pensioners 8 euros.

The main excursion route runs through the Staircase and Reception Halls, the bedroom and dressing room of Princess Eleanor, the dining room, the Smoking Room and much more. Tourists can immerse themselves in the luxurious atmosphere of the castle. Entrance to the tour is 10 euros, for students 6 euros, for pensioners 8 euros.

You can visit separately the private apartments of the owners of the castle, dining rooms and the Great Marble Hall. The cost of visiting is 9 euros, for students 6 euros, for pensioners 8 euros.

You can inspect the kitchen facilities and get acquainted with their device. The ticket price is 6 euros, 3 euros and 4 euros for students and senior citizens, respectively.

You can climb the castle tower. A visit is possible only in fine weather. It offers magnificent views of the park and the surroundings of the castle. The cost of 1.5 euros. For students and seniors, admission is 1 euro.

Krivoklat

The castle is located in close proximity to Prague, only 40 kilometers away. The owners were Czech kings. Krivoklat - a medieval castle. It served as a place where kings came to hunt. The situation inside the castle remained almost the same as it was in the Middle Ages. Now the castle is located in the reserve.

On the territory of the castle is a Gothic church, which preserved the altar of the XV century. The figures of the apostles soar nearby, Jesus and 2 angels are standing. All the statues are made so skillfully that they seem alive.

It is worth a separate visit to the royal library, which contains books from around the world. It stores over 50,000 copies. They are written in the Czech language, as well as in the languages \u200b\u200bof European countries.

You can explore the Royal and Knight's Halls and enjoy the luxurious interiors. The walls are decorated with weapons that were made for hunting. You can climb the tower to appreciate the view that opens to tourists. The castle is a former prison.

A visit to the castle will cost you 8 euros. 4 euros is worth an admission ticket for children, students and senior citizens.

Loket Castle

Castles in the vicinity of Prague are considered unique historical and architectural monuments. One of them belongs to the oldest buildings in the Czech Republic.

Loket Castle was built around the 12th century. For a long time he served as a fortress. Around the castle there are many gloomy legends. This is due to the cruelty of the rulers who lived in this area. In 1400, a meteorite fell on the castle. Part of it is still stored in Loket. There is a legend that turning into this stone was punished by one of the most severe rulers of Count Put von Ilburk. The gloomy castle has long been used as a prison. In the 70s of the XX century, the building was recognized as a monument, restored and opened its doors to visitors.

On the territory of the fortress you can look at the ancient buildings preserved almost in their original form. In the Czech Republic, the gloomy glory of the castle is used, so tourists are offered to visit torture rooms. For clarity, there are moving figures on which torture tools are used. The corresponding soundtrack is created. You can see the halls located in the castle. They do not have the luxury that is present in most castles in the Czech Republic, but Loket attracts tourists with a real medieval style. Every year, a bright carnival takes place in Loket, free to visit in the city.

All the castles located near Prague have a fascinating history associated with the names of the previous owners. The best castles near Prague have their own official sites. On most of them you can find out the nearest interesting events, schedule of excursions, book tickets. Not all sites are in Russian. Mostly represented by Czech, English and German.

Locks accept cash and credit card payments. Castle tours at local travel agencies are more expensive than an independent visit. Getting to them is easy, and Russian-speaking guides can be hired locally.

The harsh fortress of Loket is one of the oldest in the Czech Republic. And, although no one will tell the exact date of the start of construction, we can safely say that the former residence of the kings and the masterpiece of the Middle Ages has been more than eight hundred years old.

The name Loket comes from the word "elbow". The fact is that the bend of the Ohře River, on which the castle stands, has the shape of a bent human hand. Throughout its history, the castle had many functions - it was a border outpost, administrative center, and even a prison.

Since 1968, Loket Castle has been a national monument. Everyone can wander through the cold stone dungeons of the castle, check the veracity of many legends, try himself out as a prisoner of the prison, and also witness a staged public execution.

Bečov Castle

Bečov Castle nad Teplá was founded in the 13th century by the rich noble family of Grabishets. You can find it 25 kilometers from Karlovy Vary, on a rocky hill near the Tepla River. The Gothic castle was built in order to protect the trade routes.

In the first serious battles, Bečov Castle was forced to enter during the Thirty Years War. The castle suffered the most damage during the siege and assault by the Swedish troops. Later, in the seventeenth century, the Kvestenberg family was engaged in the reconstruction of the Bečov castle. They also built an octagonal tower to the castle.

The last named owner of the castle was the Beaufort family. At the end of World War II, the state took the castle from the Beauforts, accusing them of aiding the Nazis. Today the castle is a museum.

Dobrish Castle

Dobris Castle - is considered one of the most famous and beautiful castles in the Czech Republic. It is located 35 kilometers from the city of Prague. Until 1942, the castle belonged to the noble family of Colloredo - Mansfeld. From 1942 to 1945, the castle was occupied by the Nazis. It was then nationalized by the Czech state and from 1945 to 1998 the House of Writers was located in it. In 1998, the castle returned to the legitimate heirs of the Colloredo clan - Mansfeld.

The Dobrish castle, erected in the Rococo style, is very beautiful with its many arcades, windows, balconies and extraordinary architectural elements. The castle has three wings and resembles a horseshoe shape. Near it is a beautiful French garden with a flower greenhouse and an English park in a traditional style with balustrades, fountains and statues.

It has 11 halls: Hunting Hall, Ladies 'Hall, Ladies' Room, Italian Hall, Gallery and Library, Tapestry Hall, Mirror Hall, whose area is 220 square meters.

There is a motorcycle museum in the castle and many films have been shot here. Those who wish can hold a wedding ceremony. The castle is open to visitors all year round.

Klasterec nad Ohří Castle

Klashterets nad Ohří Castle is located on the border of the Czech Republic and Germany, 30 km from Karlovy Vary at the foot of the Ore Mountains. The word "clanter" is translated from Czech as "small monastery". The Renaissance castle was built at the end of the 16th century, but it changed its style twice in the process of perestroika: first into the Baroque style, and then into the Neo-Gothic.

The palace became famous thanks to the largest porcelain museum located under its roof, which contains samples of Czech porcelain produced from the 18th century to the present day. A beautiful English park adjoins the palace, in which rare trees are represented.

A visit to Karlovy Vary, the famous Czech balneological resort will leave a lot more vivid impressions, if not only limited to acquaintance with the city center, but also take a short trip to picturesque places where ancient romantic castles are located nearby.

Among the surviving in the vicinity of the city stands out, rising on a steep cliff above the Ohře River, only 15 km from Karlovy Vary. It got its name because of the peculiar bend of the river, enveloping the rock.

In the rooms and halls where Emperor Charles IV used to live or IV Goethe stayed today, an exhibition of porcelain and glassware has been launched. In one of the premises of the castle is also a small arms museum.

The construction time near the tiny village of the same name is not known reliably, but the first mention of it is found in chronicles of the 12th century.

Since 1999, the interiors of the castle became available to visitors. Tourists have the opportunity to inspect the halls and cellars of the castle, climb the watchtower, visit the restored old brewery and taste the Prokop beer. It also housed a small memorial museum of K. Chapek,

The castle is surrounded by a picturesque old park with gazebos and sculptural reliefs, made on two levels. The whole system of small reservoirs gives it special charm.

Less than 20 km separates Karlovy Vary from the 14th century castle. . Originally built as a watch fortress, in the 17th and 19th centuries. the castle was rebuilt several times and gradually acquired its modern look.

Nowadays, it is interesting with a wonderful collection of tapestries and paintings collected by the owners of the castle. One of the most attractive tourist sites in the castle is the chapel of the Holy Virgin Mary (1400). in which is located the cancer of St. Mark, one of the main shrines of the country.

Only about 50 km is separated from the spa town of Karlovy Vary. Where in the XIX century. problems of European politics were discussed, now a museum is located, the beginning of which was laid by the Chancellor and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Habsburg Empire K. Metternich. The halls display unique collections of paintings, numismatics, weapons and arts and crafts of Europe and Asia.

Another architectural monument in the vicinity of the resort, has survived only in ruins. Regular lovers of historical reconstruction regularly organize real jousting tournaments near its walls. At this time, everyone can plunge into an old bath, try on medieval clothes or just wander among the legendary ruins.

The only Czech castle to preserve the Romanesque features in its architectural appearance is located in the town of Cheb. Built in the Middle Ages, it is interesting for its unusual Black Tower of the XII century. Next to it are two small chapels dedicated to saints revered in the Czech Republic - St. Erhard and St. Ursula.

At the foot of the Ore Mountains, 30 km from Karlovy Vary, there is a neo-Gothic building klasterec nad Ogroj Castle. His visit will be attractive primarily to those who are interested in jewelry and arts and crafts. Permanent expositions of Czech porcelain and precious stones are now deployed in the castle halls. The exhibition of fabulous figures will capture the attention of young visitors to this architectural monument for a long time.

A beautiful architectural structure is a must-have destination for any tourist. Especially if this tourist travels the world with a child. Loket Castle, which is located very close to Karlovy Vary, is just what you need to get acquainted with the local architectural and historical monuments.

Loket erected from large stones, which gives it a special flavor. The name of the castle is deciphered quite simply: the bend of the Ohře River, in which the ancient structure stands, resembles the shape of a human elbow. That is why - Loket. The location of the architectural structure is explained by the fact that in past centuries it served as a kind of fort, that is, a border fortress.

By the way, Loket among the local population is considered one of the most romantic and mysterious places in the region. Residents of Karlovy Vary and the surrounding area are still convinced that the castle is inhabited not only by ghosts and gnomes, but even fire-breathing dragons. The most famous character-inhabitant of the castle is considered to be the dwarf Shtrakakal, who can be found in one of the halls. They say that he loves chasing sluts (especially children) around the castle and combing them violently. Therefore, it is better to put your heads in order before the visit. And when you meet the gnome Holstein on your way, do not forget to touch his mustache and make a wish.

Travelers arriving in Loket today are in a hurry to visit the exposition, which tells about medieval executions and torture. This exhibition does not just exist in the castle - after all, for a long time the fortress was a real prison in which unfortunate prisoners suffered for many decades. Your attention is presented with a whole collection of torture instruments, ranging from hand tools and ending with the largest (above human height). Visitors to the castle are brought to a torture chamber, they examine the narrow dark dungeons where prisoners were waiting for their last hour. The exposition also presents the figures of people during the torture process, made very realistic. This exhibition is hardly worth visiting with young children.

Among the other exhibitions of the castle that we recommend visiting: the Margrave house, which displays an exhibition of Chodov porcelain (produced in neighboring Chodov from the 18th century), a Romanesque rotunda, ceremonial and archaeological halls, as well as an armory.

Be sure to climb the tower, which offers unforgettable panoramas of the surroundings. Rumor has it that at the very bottom, in the basement, there lives a dragon with burning eyes, which even today scare children. The most beautiful views open from Loket at sunset. The blood-red sky, the castle in the rays of the orange setting sun, lush vegetation around - all these are reflected in the river on which the castle stands.