Excursions with local experts
Excursions with local experts
Karlštejn Fortress and Konopiště Castle
You should visit the most outstanding medieval Karlštejn castle built 650 years ago. The Czech king and Roman emperor, son of John of Luxemburg and Elizabeth of Přemysl, Charles IV was born on May 14, 1316, and died on November 29, 1378. He greatly improved the quality of the Czech state by initiating large construction projects and strengthening the position of the church. Due to his incentive, the Archbishops´s post was established by the Pope in Prague in 1344., under Charles´s rule, Prague became the residential town of the Empire. He was one of the most highly educated men in Europe at that time, he spoke five languages and was very knowledgable in the arts and science, he had literary gifts, ha was an outstanding soldier and statesman, a truly multifaceted talent.
In 1348, only two months after the foundation of the Prague´s University, Charles IV commissioned a French architect Matthew of Arras to build Karlštejn Castle, a place for safe keeping of Coronation Jewels and relics of saints. You will admire the majectic exterior of the Gothic fortress, its ingenious fortification, and also the breath-taking view from the hill onto the countryside around the castle.
The second trip goes to the Konopiště Castle with many fascinating collections of weapons and hunting trophies. The castle is located on the hill, in the middle of forest and nice gardens, close to the pond. In the end of the 19th century it belonged to Franz Ferdinand d´Este, successor to Habsburg throne. In 1900 he got maried with a Czech princess Sofia Chotek and for her, Franz Ferdinand rebuilt completely the castle and he put all his art collections inside. As a member of the imperial family he could create a large collection of china, glass, weapons, furniture, pictures, statues coming from the whole Europe. He did also a grand tour around the World and everywhere he was he went out hunting, so his collection of hunting trophies belongs among the largest ones in the world.
Unfortunately, in June 1914 he took part in manoeuvres of the Austrian army in Sarajevo, Serbia, during this stay he was assassinated and just after this event the World War I started. Franz Ferdinand´s death influenced the evolution of the whole world and the establishment of new states in Europe.
Both places belong among the most visited highlights of the Czech Republic.
Tour by your own transportation or our car/minibus
Daily except Monday from April – November
Duration: 9 hours
Starting point: the hotel
| Guide only (up to 15 eople) | 130 |
| Guide only (16 and more people) | 160 |
| Guide, driver, car (up to 3 people) | 250 |
| Guide, driver, minibus (up to 7 people) | 290 |
| Entrance fees per person (including tickets to both castles) | 18 |
| Discount for students | |
| Lunch (3-course Czech speciality) | 12 |
Prices are in EUR/tour
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