Karlštejn, Středočeský kraj
Hrad Karlštejn
Charles IV’s castle above the Berounka: imperial rooms, chapels with medieval paintings and a treasury that once held coronation jewels.
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Hrad Karlštejn
Karlštejn rises in stages from service buildings to the Great Tower, where imperial jewels and relics were kept. Charles IV founded the castle in 1348. By 1355 he was staying in the residence and overseeing the work; the consecration of the Chapel of the Holy Cross in 1365 concluded the main building phase.
In the Imperial Palace, the story centres on domestic life and courtly representation. Beyond lies the world of the castle chapels: the Marian church, the small Chapel of St Catherine and the Chapel of the Holy Cross. The latter’s 129 panel paintings from Master Theodoric’s workshop depict saints, Church Fathers and rulers. Gilding and stone cladding surrounded objects invested with particular religious and political significance.
The present silhouette also results from later rebuilding. Renaissance alterations and nineteenth-century restoration under Josef Mocker changed many parts of the complex. A model in the Burgrave House helps compare the earlier castle with the buildings standing on the rock today. The Well Tower explores the residence’s everyday services and the drawing of water from a deep shaft.
The official programmes reveal different parts of the castle. “Císařská rezidence Karla IV.” covers chambers and treasuries; “Karlštejnské hradní kaple” explores sacred interiors; “Celým hradem” ends in the upper Great Tower. “Kaple večerního Karlštejna” opens the interior of St Catherine’s Chapel and the presbytery of the Chapel of the Holy Cross. “Karlštejn jako uzavřená pevnost” connects gates, the well, chambers and chapels outside the usual visitor traffic. The separate “Na kafe s kastelánem” programme includes meeting the castle’s custodian and discussing its care. “Volně přístupným areálem Karlštejna”, an audio-guided walk, explores the freely accessible outdoor spaces.
For children
Charles IV founded Karlštejn in 1348. He had rooms for living and receiving guests, while chapels held relics and coronation jewels. The buildings rise higher and higher: from the service area through the palace and Marian Tower to the Great Tower.
The Chapel of the Holy Cross contains 129 paintings on wooden panels. They were made in Master Theodoric’s workshop. The figures surrounded royal treasures. Elsewhere in the castle, a well and its old water-lifting mechanism survive. The residents needed water every day, whatever ceremonies were taking place at court.
The castle was rebuilt many times. Architect Josef Mocker worked on it in the nineteenth century. A model in the Burgrave House shows its earlier appearance.
Each visiting programme covers a different set of rooms. The residence tour explores court life, the chapels tour their religious purpose, and “Celým hradem” also visits the upper floors of the Great Tower. There are separate evening visits, tours outside the usual visitor traffic and meetings with the custodian who manages the castle. An audio-guided walk crosses the courtyards to the Well Tower. Choosing one tour does not mean entering every part of the castle.
Audience and visit conditions
Adult supervision required
Entire venue · 0-14 years
Children under 15 may enter only with an accompanying person over 18.
Information
Activity: Karlštejn Castle Chapels · 0-6 years
The chapels programme is not recommended for children under 7: its long, demanding commentary is not adapted for them.
Venue news
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January - castle schedule
January 1 – January 31
- Monday
- Closed
- Tuesday
- Closed
- Wednesday
- Closed
- Thursday
- Closed
- Friday
- 10:00–15:00
- Saturday
- 10:00–15:00
- Sunday
- 10:00–15:00
February - castle schedule
February 1 – March 1
- Monday
- Closed
- Tuesday
- Closed
- Wednesday
- Closed
- Thursday
- Closed
- Friday
- 10:00–15:00
- Saturday
- 10:00–15:00
- Sunday
- 10:00–15:00
March - castle schedule
March 1 – March 31
- Monday
- Closed
- Tuesday
- 09:30–16:00
- Wednesday
- 09:30–16:00
- Thursday
- 09:30–16:00
- Friday
- 09:30–16:00
- Saturday
- 09:30–16:00
- Sunday
- 09:30–16:00
April - castle schedule
April 1 – April 30
- Monday
- Closed
- Tuesday
- 09:30–17:00
- Wednesday
- 09:30–17:00
- Thursday
- 09:30–17:00
- Friday
- 09:30–17:00
- Saturday
- 09:30–17:00
- Sunday
- 09:30–17:00
May - castle schedule
May 1 – May 31
- Monday
- Closed
- Tuesday
- 09:30–17:30
- Wednesday
- 09:30–17:30
- Thursday
- 09:30–17:30
- Friday
- 09:30–17:30
- Saturday
- 09:30–17:30
- Sunday
- 09:30–17:30
June - castle schedule
June 1 – June 30
- Monday
- Closed
- Tuesday
- 09:00–17:30
- Wednesday
- 09:00–17:30
- Thursday
- 09:00–17:30
- Friday
- 09:00–17:30
- Saturday
- 09:00–17:30
- Sunday
- 09:00–17:30
July - castle schedule
July 1 – July 31
- Monday
- Closed
- Tuesday
- 09:00–18:00
- Wednesday
- 09:00–18:00
- Thursday
- 09:00–18:00
- Friday
- 09:00–18:00
- Saturday
- 09:00–18:00
- Sunday
- 09:00–18:00
August - castle schedule
August 1 – August 31
- Monday
- Closed
- Tuesday
- 09:00–18:00
- Wednesday
- 09:00–18:00
- Thursday
- 09:00–18:00
- Friday
- 09:00–18:00
- Saturday
- 09:00–18:00
- Sunday
- 09:00–18:00
September - castle schedule
September 1 – September 30
- Monday
- Closed
- Tuesday
- 09:30–17:30
- Wednesday
- 09:30–17:30
- Thursday
- 09:30–17:30
- Friday
- 09:30–17:30
- Saturday
- 09:30–17:30
- Sunday
- 09:30–17:30
October - castle schedule
October 1 – October 31
- Monday
- Closed
- Tuesday
- 09:30–16:30
- Wednesday
- 09:30–16:30
- Thursday
- 09:30–16:30
- Friday
- 09:30–16:30
- Saturday
- 09:30–16:30
- Sunday
- 09:30–16:30
November - castle schedule
November 1 – November 30
- Monday
- Closed
- Tuesday
- Closed
- Wednesday
- Closed
- Thursday
- Closed
- Friday
- 10:00–15:00
- Saturday
- 10:00–15:00
- Sunday
- 10:00–15:00
December - castle schedule
December 1 – December 25
- Monday
- Closed
- Tuesday
- Closed
- Wednesday
- Closed
- Thursday
- Closed
- Friday
- 10:00–15:00
- Saturday
- 10:00–15:00
- Sunday
- 10:00–15:00
26-31 December - castle schedule
December 26 – December 31
- Monday
- 10:00–15:00
- Tuesday
- 10:00–15:00
- Wednesday
- 10:00–15:00
- Thursday
- 10:00–15:00
- Friday
- 10:00–15:00
- Saturday
- 10:00–15:00
- Sunday
- 10:00–15:00
Exceptions
- November 16, 2026
- 10:00–15:00
- November 17, 2026
- 10:00–15:00
- December 26, 2026
- 10:00–15:00
- December 27, 2026
- 10:00–15:00
- December 28, 2026
- 10:00–15:00
- December 29, 2026
- 10:00–15:00
- December 30, 2026
- 10:00–15:00
- December 31, 2026
- 10:00–15:00
- December 21, 2026
- Closed
- December 22, 2026
- Closed
- December 23, 2026
- Closed
- December 24, 2026
- Closed
- December 25, 2026
- Closed
The table shows the castle’s general schedule from the visitor rules; it does not mean that all tours are available. In April and October the castle also opens on public holidays. Choose current tour times in ticket sales. Residence tour: the last group departs at closing time; its page confirms 1-3 January 2027, 10:00-15:00. Chapels: 1-31 October 2026, Tuesday-Sunday 10:05-16:05; 1 November 10:05-14:05; closed 2 November 2026-30 April 2027. Celým hradem: selected dates at 11:00; closed 1 November 2026-30 April 2027. Kaple večerního Karlštejna: closed 1 September 2026-30 April 2027. Karlštejn jako uzavřená pevnost: selected Mondays on the hour; closed 1 September 2026-30 June 2027. Na kafe s kastelánem: selected dates; closed 1 October 2026-30 April 2027. The audio-guided walk operates during access hours for the grounds without reservation; its detailed calendar is on the programme page.
Imperial Residence of Charles IV (basic tour)
- Adults aged 25-64
- CZK 300.00
- Seniors 65+; young adults 18-24; ZTP/ZTP/P card holders
- CZK 240.00
- Children aged 6-17
- CZK 90.00
- Children aged 0-5 outside organised groups
- free
- Children aged 0-5 in organised groups
- CZK 60.00
- Companion of a ZTP/P card holder
- free
- School supervisor: 1 per 10 children
- free
- Group guide: 1 for a group of at least 15
- free
- Single-use or annual complimentary NPÚ ticket
- free
- NPÚ employee and up to 3 family members
- free
- Náš člověk card holder
- free
- ICOMOS card holder
- free
- Accredited journalist on assignment
- free
- Guiding in a foreign language other than English or German
- CZK 4,000.00
- Audio guide: EN/DE/RU/ES/FR/JA/IT
- CZK 120.00
- Fee for authorised interpretation
- CZK 2,500.00
Karlštejn Castle Chapels (selected tour)
- Adults aged 25-64
- CZK 640.00
- Seniors 65+; young adults 18-24; ZTP/ZTP/P card holders
- CZK 510.00
- Children aged 6-17
- CZK 190.00
- Children aged 0-5 outside organised groups
- CZK 190.00
- Children aged 0-5 in organised groups
- CZK 190.00
- Companion of a ZTP/P card holder
- free
- School supervisor: 1 per 10 children
- free
- Group guide: 1 for a group of at least 15
- free
- Single-use or annual complimentary NPÚ ticket
- free
- NPÚ employee and up to 3 family members
- free
- Náš člověk card holder
- free
- Fee for authorised interpretation
- CZK 2,500.00
Explore the Entire Castle (exclusive tour)
- Admission for every age category
- CZK 1,800.00
- Companion of a ZTP/P card holder
- free
Chapels of Karlštejn by Night (exclusive tour)
- Admission for every age category
- CZK 1,800.00
- Companion of a ZTP/P card holder
- free
Karlštejn as a Closed Fortress (exclusive tour)
- Admission for every age category
- CZK 1,800.00
- Companion of a ZTP/P card holder
- free
Coffee with the Castellan (exclusive tour)
- Admission for every age category
- CZK 3,500.00
- Companion of a ZTP/P card holder
- free
Freely Accessible Grounds of Karlštejn (audio-guided walk)
- Walk with the TourStories audio guide
- free
Prices apply to separate programmes, not a single ticket to the whole castle. Residence: 55 minutes, up to 45 people; reservation required for groups of more than 10, while individual reservations are not handled (online tickets are available). Chapels: 100 minutes, up to 16 people; reservations required for individuals too. Celým hradem: 180 minutes, up to 6 people; Kaple večerního Karlštejna: 120 minutes, up to 6; both sold only in advance or online. Karlštejn jako uzavřená pevnost: 180 minutes, up to 15; online purchase required. Na kafe s kastelánem: 180 minutes, up to 6, led by castellan Lukáš Kunst; includes coffee, cake, a welcome drink and light refreshments. Tickets in advance at the box office or online; reservations are not handled. Exclusive programmes do not accept the other concessions or complimentary NPÚ tickets; companions of ZTP/P card holders retain free admission. Personal cards apply only to the holder. The residence audio guide also requires a 500 CZK cash deposit. The free TourStories grounds walk takes about 40 minutes and does not replace tickets to the interiors.
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Image generated or substantially modified by AI.Thematic route · 180 minKarlštejn as a Closed Fortress (exclusive tour)Gates and courtyards, the well, imperial rooms and chapels outside normal visitor traffic.Start the walk- Image generated or substantially modified by AI.Thematic route · 100 minKarlštejn Castle Chapels (selected tour)From the Marian church and a view into St Catherine’s Chapel to the painted stairs and imperial treasury.Start the walk
- Image generated or substantially modified by AI.Thematic route · 55 minImperial Residence of Charles IV (basic tour)Court life, ceremonial rooms and treasuries, without the Chapel of the Holy Cross.Start the walk
- Image generated or substantially modified by AI.Thematic route · 180 minExplore the Entire Castle (exclusive tour)Imperial chambers, sacred interiors and the final ascent to the upper Great Tower.Start the walk
- Image generated or substantially modified by AI.Thematic route · 40 minFreely Accessible Grounds of Karlštejn (audio-guided walk)An independent TourStories walk from the entrance gate to the Well Tower.Start the walk
- Image generated or substantially modified by AI.Thematic route · 120 minChapels of Karlštejn by Night (exclusive tour)An evening visit with entry to St Catherine’s Chapel and the presbytery of the Chapel of the Holy Cross.Start the walk
- +3See remaining items
Address
Karlštejn 172267 18 Karlštejn
The main courtyard can be visited without negotiating stairs, although the stony approach may require assistance. There is no lift. The residence tour has 192 steps and the chapels tour 459. There are 73 steps from the courtyard to the well, with a return by the same route. Wheelchair visits to the interiors require advance arrangements and assistance on stairs. An accessible toilet is located by the Burgrave House entrance; ask staff for the key. Designated parking for eligible visitors is about 300 m from the first gate. The central car park is about 2 km from the castle; allow around 30 minutes to walk up. Dogs in the courtyards must be on a lead and muzzled; pets are not admitted to the interiors. Assistance dogs require prior permission, with access dependent on the route. Interior photography is permitted only where the guide specifies, without flash, tripods or selfie sticks.