The most beautiful castles and chateaux in the Czech Republic: Central Bohemia and Prague

Sugar Mizzy June 11, 2019

June 11, 2019 ● 5:25 PM

The tourist season at castles and chateaux is almost in full swing and, as every year, it expects Czech monuments to visit visitors this year as well. And there is really a lot to choose from. We have prepared a series for you, which will take you through the most beautiful monuments you can find in the Czech Republic. We start with the Central Bohemian Region and Prague! Follow Blesk.cz and don’t miss the great tips for trips.

Prague Castle, a symbol of Czech statehood and the seat of the president, was built in the 9th century. According to the Guinness Book of Records, it is the largest continuous castle complex in the world, covers an area of almost 70,000 m2 and is also inscribed on the UNESCO World Cultural and Natural Heritage List. Prague Castle offers many interesting exhibits and breathtaking buildings. Many interesting places can be found in the vicinity.

Opening hours:

Prague Castle Complex: 6:00 – 22:00
Visitor facilities: 9:00 – 17:00

Admission:

Admission Prague Castle

Author: Hrad.cz

Prague Castle

Author: Shutterstock

The Central Bohemian chateau Konopiště was founded in the 13th century by the Prague bishop Tobiáš of Benešov. The truly famous history of Konopiště began to be written at the end of the 19th century. In 1887, František Ferdinand d’Este bought a hunting lodge with the entire estate from the Lobkovics, who had it rebuilt and modernized. Adele hasn’t had dinner yet, Jachym, throw him in the machine! How the princess wakes up or Jara Cimrman wakes up, sleeping.

Opening hours:

April, May, September: 10: 00-16: 00 (except Mondays)
June-August: 10: 00-17: 00 (except Mondays)
October: 10: 00-15: 00 (except Monday)
November: 10: 00-15: 00 (weekends)

Admission:

Salon: adults – 200 CZK, children / students / seniors 140 CZK.
Private rooms of František Ferdinand d’Este: 250 CZK / 180 CZK
More information here >>

Konopiště Castle

Author: Nedělní Blesk – Mária Rušinová

One of the most popular and most beautiful Czech castles. The construction of the castle was completed at the instigation of Emperor Charles IV. in 1365, when the rarest Chapel of St. Crisis. The castle was used to store Roman German coronation jewels and the remains of Christian saints. In 1973, the musical comedy Night at Karlštejn was filmed at the castle based on a play by the poet Jaroslav Vrchlický.

Opening hours:

June: 09:00 – 17:30 (except Mondays)
July, August: 9:00 – 18:00 (daily)
September: 09:30 – 17:30 (except Mondays)

Admission:

Basic circuit: adults – 210 CZK, children / students / seniors 150 CZK.
Sacred spaces 500 CZK / 350 CZK
More information here >>

Karlštejn Youtube / Visit the Czech Republic

The Gothic fortress above Sázavou, Český Šternberk Castle, was founded in 1241 by Zdeslav of Divišov. The name of the castle is derived from the coat of arms of its founders Divišovice – golden eight-pointed star (German: Stern: star, Berg: mountain). It is independent that the castle is still owned by the Sternberg family. The fairy tale Angel of the Lord was filmed here, and the family of Princess Arabella also had its royal residence here.

Opening hours:

June: 9.00 -18.00 (Tuesday to Sunday, opening hours one hour longer on weekends, Mondays to order)
July to August: 9.00 -18.00 (Tuesday to Sunday, Monday tours at 12:00 and 14:00)

Admission:

adults – 150 CZK, children / students / seniors 100 CZK.

Český Šternberk

Author: scom and the Blesk archive

The history of Točník Castle begins at the end of the 14th century, when it was built as a magnificent seat by the King of Bohemia and Rome, Wenceslas IV, who enjoyed hunting here. The construction of the Točník castle in such close proximity (2 kilometers) to the lower Žebrák castle created the most majestic and to this day the best-preserved castle grounds in Bohemia.

If you are not only interested in the romantic history of the ruins, you can enjoy a look at the castle bear cubs Agatha and Martin, with whom Václav Chaloupka filmed the children’s show Méďové na cestách for Czech Television.

Opening hours:

June – August: 09:00 to 18:00 (except Mondays)

Admission:

adults – 90 CZK, children / students / seniors – 60 CZK.

Točník Castle

Author: Illustration photo Blesk – Jiří Černohorský

Žebrák Castle proudly rises above the Central Bohemian landscape. It was founded in the second half of the 13th century by Oldřich Zajíc of Valdek near an important trade route from Prague to Bavaria. In the tower of the castle Žebrák is said to be a secret room, which opens once a year on St. Rufa (August 26). Whoever enters it will see King Wenceslas IV feasting with his retinue. The king asks the visitor what is new in the world and how the people think about him. If he receives good news, he will reward the messenger richly, treat him and reveal the secrets of his treasure. However, if the newcomer brings bad news, the king will punish him and imprison him in a famine, which will not open again until a year later…

Gothic castle Žebrák in the village Točník.

Opening hours:

June: 10.00-18.00 (weekends, holidays)
July, August: 9.00-18.00 (except Mondays)
September: 10.00-17.00 (weekends, holidays)

Admission:

adults – 80 CZK, children / students / seniors – 60 CZK.

Gothic castle Žebrák in the village Točník.

Author: Profimedia.cz

The medieval Žleby Castle was built by Jindřich of Lichtenburg and the first written records date from 1289. During its long history, the castle was rebuilt into a chateau and is currently one of the most attractive attractions in the Čáslav region. Žleby Chateau offers three sightseeing tours.

Žleby Chateau - Extensive collection of weapons, antiques, glass and furniture.

Opening hours:

April, October: 9.00–16.00 (Saturdays, Sundays, holidays)
May, June, September: 9: 00-16: 00 (except Mondays)
July, August: 9.00–17.00 (except Mondays, one hour longer on public holidays)

Admission:

basic circle: adults – 150 CZK, children / students / seniors – 110 CZK.
second basic area: adults – 180 CZK, children / students / seniors – 130 CZK.

Žleby Castle

Author: National Monuments Institute, czechtourism.cz

The former seat of the robber knights of Kokořín Castle is entwined with legends and a romantic aura. It is located about ten kilometers northeast of Mělník above the river Pšovka near the village Kokořín. It was built after 1320, probably by the burgrave of Prague Hynek Berka of Dubá. In the 19th century, the castle was a ruin that enchanted romantic artists – the poet Karel Hynek Mácha or the painters Josef Navrátil and Antonín Mánes.

Opening hours:

April, October: 9.00-16.00 (weekends)
May, September: 9: 00-16: 00 (except Mondays)
June, July, August: 9: 00-17: 00 (except Mondays)

Admission:

Sightseeing circuit I. + II. : adults – 80 CZK, children – 40 CZK, students / seniors – 50 CZK.

Kokorin Castle

Author: Profimedia.cz

Křivoklát Castle is again one of the most photogenic castles in Bohemia. The medieval castle gained fame in the second half of the 13th century during the reign of Přemysl Otakar II. The future Emperor Charles IV also stayed here several times. In addition, the alchemist Edward Kelley, who lost his leg while trying to escape, was imprisoned there.

The fairy tale The Third Prince, Three Veterans, the feature film Bathory was filmed here, and actor Heath Ledger also starred in the fairy-tale Curse of the Grimm Brothers.

Opening hours:

April, October: 10: 00-16: 00 (except Mondays)
May, June, September: 9: 00-17: 00 (except Mondays)
July, August: 9.00-18.00 (except Mondays)
November, December: 10.00-15.00 (weekends, holidays)

Admission:

gothic palaces: adults – 190 CZK, children / students / seniors – 130 CZK.
gothic palaces – short circuit: 150 CZK / 110 CZK.
the whole castle: 240 CZK / 170 CZK.
castles and tower: 80 CZK / 60 CZK

Křivoklát

Author: Profimedia

Lány Castle is most famous for being the summer residence of presidents. But this is far from the only thing that is interesting about it. The oldest written mention of Lány is from 1392. At the end of the 16th century, the village was bought by Rudolf II. and had a hunting lodge built in the Renaissance style on the site of the original fortress, which was rebuilt in the Baroque style during the 17th century. The chateau has been the official summer residence of the presidents of the Czech Republic since 1921, and is therefore normally inaccessible to the public. From Prague, the best access to Lány is via the Karlovy Vary motorway (distance about 35 km).