The tourist path to Prague has long been trodden by our travelers. They go to the Czech capital for the New Year and summer holidays, as well as in the off-season. And this romantic city is considered to be a good place for marriage and honeymoon. Two castles towering in front of each other on the opposite banks of the Vltava attract the attention of tourists in the Czech capital. Prague Castle was founded in the ninth century. The complex of this Kremlin includes several castles of different eras. And on the right bank of the Vltava, on a rocky hill, is the Vysehrad fortress. From this place went Prague. Here lived the first rulers of the region and Princess Libush. But few tourists know that the Czech Republic is a country of castles. There are more than two and a half thousand of them in the state. Inspect them all - not enough life. Therefore, in this article we will highlight the most popular and interesting castles in the Czech Republic.
Classification
First of all, a few words should be said about how these structures are divided. In Czech, there are two words for a castle: “Castle” and “Castle”. Hrad is a medieval citadel, usually surrounded by a moat or towering on an impregnable rock, with walls with loopholes and other defensive structures. Previously, hail was located settlements (hence the name). But later the feudal lords were isolated from the people. Thus, we can say that “Hrad” corresponds to our concept of “Kremlin”. In small settlements there are “city” and “city”. But zamek is a radically different type of structure. Yes, and they were built later, in an era when it was not necessary to constantly defend. The feudal lords who lived in them arranged their tribal nests, giving them chic by the standards of their era. The palaces-castles of the Czech Republic on the map of the country are scattered throughout the territory, but their maximum concentration is observed near the capital. After all, the nobles wanted to live near the royal residence.
Tours "Castles of the Czech Republic"
Since castles and palaces are scattered throughout the country, it is very difficult to visit all of them independently. I have to choose the most worthy and popular. If you are interested in Gothic defense town planning or the Renaissance palaces, it makes sense to book a special tour. His program includes visiting all the important castles in the Czech Republic. Tourists stay in hotels in small towns, from where they make forays into two or even three interesting places per day. This, of course, is Czech Krumlov and Gluboka over the Vltava in South Bohemia; Konopiste and Karlstejn in Central. In the Olomouc region, tourists will visit the famous Sternbek and Bouzov. In Pardubice - Litice nad Orlice, Kutnetsk-gora and Svoyanov. And in South Moravia, tourists will see Špilberk, Lednice and Perstein.
Wedding in the Czech Republic in the castle
Someone is organizing a symbolic marriage ceremony on the islands of Fiji, someone is getting married according to the traditions of Thailand ... And others are going to formalize relations in the Czech Republic. Moreover, the wedding tour may include a real marriage, with the design of all necessary documents, as well as symbolic. In the second case, such a package of services will cost three hundred euros cheaper. You can register your relationship both in the Nusel Town Hall in Prague and in a romantic castle. For example, you can exchange gold rings not somewhere, but in the summer residence of the Czech President. Troy Castle is a very elegant palace that will surprise guests with the luxury of interiors. An excellent backdrop for photo shoots will be romantic Chervena Lhota or snow-white, like a bride’s dress, Rozmberk. A wedding in the Czech Republic in a castle will be an unforgettable event in your life. By the way, some palaces work like hotels. Thus, in the castle you can not only celebrate your wedding, but also spend your wedding night.
The best of the best
If you have little time, but you still want to make yourself an impression of the fortresses and palaces of the country, you have to choose. But which castle to visit? Which one is considered the best, fabulous, beautiful? The Czech Ministry of Tourism also asked this very question. In order to clarify the case, it conducted a survey of the local population. People had to answer which, in their opinion, the most beautiful and romantic castles of the Czech Republic. The ministry published a photo with the names of the winners. The three leaders in beauty included Telc, Pernstein and Chervena Lhota. Already without attracting the population, the ministry found out which Czech castles are the most visited. Of course, two Prague castles were in the lead. And of those who are in the provinces, Karlstein and Czech Krumlov won. The most beautiful and majestic examples of Gothic construction are Loket, Krshivoklat and Karlstejn already mentioned here. Nelagozeves and Telc won in the Renaissance nomination, and Valtice and Melnnik won in the Baroque.
Zvikov
Let's now look at the most popular castles in the Czech Republic. Photos with the names of these beautiful places are placed in tourist guides around the country, they are replicated on countless postcards, t-shirts, magnets. If you wonder what kind of castle fits perfectly into the surrounding landscape, the answer will be: Zvikov. He proudly stands on a rock, where the Vltava and Otava merge together. For the first time Zvikov is mentioned in the annals of 1234, as the property of Przemysl Otokar the First. The castle was rebuilt and strengthened several times. But still preserved frescoes of the fifteenth century, medieval furniture. And the castle chapel of St. Wenceslas came to us in its original form. Now in Zvikov the museum exposition is located, transporting us to the distant medieval times. To conduct a marriage ceremony in the castle, you need to contact the administration of the town of Zvikovské Pograd.
Karlstejn
Some of the ancient castles of the Czech Republic still lie in ruins and await restorers. But not Karlstein. Since this castle is located only thirty kilometers from Prague, a hiking trail does not overgrow it. We can even say this: all the welfare of the inhabitants of the town of Karlstejn is somehow connected with the castle. This citadel was founded by King Charles the Fourth. The monarch had a penchant for collecting various relics. Thus, modern tourists are invited to inspect not only the chambers and fortifications, but also the royal treasury. You can walk around the castle territory absolutely free, but the entrance inside is paid and only as part of excursions. There are two of them: a survey one (treasury and main objects) and a more detailed one (collection of easel painting and the palace chapel of the Holy Cross). In the town of Karlstejn (since you came here) it is worth visiting museums: watches, wax figures and Christmas nativity scenes.
Konopiste
The most beautiful castles in the Czech Republic are located near the capital. One of them is Konopiste, forty-eight kilometers east of Prague and 2 km from the small town of Benesov. This castle was founded at the end of the thirteenth century. Repeated reconstructions did not disfigure, but, on the contrary, embellished the once gloomy and impregnable citadel. A charming palace stands on a medieval foundation, and adjacent to it is an equally charming park with a rose garden and artificial ponds, along which peacocks proudly walk. The entire museum exhibition of Konopiste Castle is dedicated to its last owner - Archduke Franz Ferdinand. You can take a walk in the park for free. You need to buy a ticket to get into the rooms. Three tours of the huge castle-palace. The first is the south wing with the Hunter Corridor. The second tour covers the northern part of the castle with a library and an arsenal. And as part of the third, tourists visit the private quarters of the Archduke family. All excursions last about an hour.
Rožmberk over the Vltava
Without a doubt, this is the most mysterious castle in the Czech Republic. And it was built in the middle of the thirteenth century by a representative of a noble Rozemberg family. Its representatives were sometimes distinguished by a difficult, and sometimes simply eccentric, character. They either lost their family nest in cards, or again bought it by hook or by crook. Why does Rozmberk enjoy the glory of the most mysterious castle? In it, the visitor will not find glamorous boudoirs and luxuriously furnished halls. But then there is an abundance of secret passages, narrow corridors, manholes and stairs inside the walls and the like. Lives here and the ghost. Perkhta, whose portrait can be seen in the castle, was born in Cesky Krumlov. But she married (against her will) to Jan Lichtenstein, who in those days owned Rozhmberk. Twenty years of married life, this nobleman plagued the poor thing. Her soul of peace does not know even after death. The last time Perkhta was seen in 1996.
Sternberk
Typically, castles in the Czech Republic, photos of which show ancient interiors untouched by time, non-residential. But in Sternberk you can not only walk through the private chambers of the owners, but also talk with them. In the castle live the distant descendants of the counts. What is interesting, the tour is led by the owner himself - Zdenek Sternberk. What is there to do? Somehow you have to live. And it’s very expensive to maintain a huge castle. Therefore, the owner not only kindly shows visitors all the corners of his residence, but also takes orders for the organization of wedding ceremonies. Zdenek Sternberk has a wonderful library, a rich collection of weapons, pipes and antique prints.
Becov nad Teplou
The best castles in the Czech Republic are also available for those who come to the country for treatment. Twenty-five kilometers from the health resort of Karlovy Vary is the town of Bečov nad Teplou. Its only attraction is the castle complex, consisting of an ancient fortress and a beautiful palace. When exactly the first buildings appeared here is precisely unknown. Donjon (the residential tower inhabited by the feudal lord with his family and his garrison) appeared in the first half of the fourteenth century. Then a chapel was completed to him. It is interesting that the altar part in it is oriented not according to the canon: not to the east, but to the north. The most significant jewel of the castle is the relic of the Holy Moor. This unique jewelry work of the sarcophagus was opened for inspection in 2002. In the oldest part of the dungeon, you can see old frescoes. In the sixteenth century, the owners engaged in the reconstruction and refurbished the medieval fortress in the fashion of the High Renaissance. In the eighteenth century, he was added baroque elements of decor, and in the nineteenth gave the features of romanticism. Alfred Beaufort-Spontini, the master of Bechov in 1838, bought the relics of the Holy Moor from the local monastery and placed them in the palace chapel of St. Petra.
Hluboká nad Vltavou
The best castles in the Czech Republic are located in South Bohemia. These are Krumlov and Gluboka nad Vltavou. A distance of one hundred and forty kilometers from Prague is not an obstacle for those who want to see beautiful and ancient citadels. The first mention of the Gluboka nad Vltavou dates back to the thirteenth century. True, then it was called Frauenberg (Women’s Castle), and outwardly it was very different from the modern one. The fortress changed owners several times until in the seventeenth century it became the property of the Schwarzenberg family. And two hundred years later, a representative of the clan, Eleanor, visited England. This trip to Misty Albion was of great importance for the castle in the Czech Republic. Because Eleanor Schwarzenberg decided to remake her residence under a copy of Windsor Castle. And you know, the lady realized her dream! Schwarzenberg lived in the "Czech Windsor" until 1945. After that, the complex was nationalized and turned into a museum.
Baby
According to legend, in the eleventh century, the Czech prince Ulrich, hunting in the forest, found orphans abandoned to their fate and took them to education. And at the meeting place, the children ordered to build a village. A castle appeared later. He, like the village, is called Detenice. This castle of the Czech Republic, like many of its assembled, has repeatedly changed owners. After the nationalization of the fortress by socialist Czechoslovakia, the castle was desolate. Spouses Ondrachkov recently rented it, reconstructed and now receive visitors. It is noteworthy that the castle attracts tourists not only with its medieval interiors, the park and the defensive walls, but also with a tavern. Yes, here you will be fed real medieval dishes and in the appropriate surroundings!
When to visit castles
Tourists should note that many of the country's open-air attractions are closed from November to early April. But there are exceptions. What castles in the Czech Republic receive visitors in winter? Naturally, these are two metropolitan cities. But in the province there are many castles open for winter tourists. These are Sikhrov (where they shot the film about Goldilocks), Dobrish near Prague, Hluboka nad Vltavou, Klashterets nad Ogroj, Loket, Kshivokrat, Lednice, Sternberg, Nelahozeves, Zvirzhenitsa and others.