CzechSite: Chateaux and Castles

Czech country has long history and there are almost 1000 castles and ruins throughout. Within reach half day trip from Prague are dozen really nice chateaux and castles. We are sure you will not wish to see all of them :-) but you should know three of the most popular, at least.

The castles and chateaux are usually open from the beginning of April to the end of October (from 9 am to 6 pm in May, June, July, August and from 10 am to 3 pm in April, September and October). Karlstejn Castle and Krivoklat Castle are open all the year round.

Karlstejn

The most photogenic and the most popular castle in the Prague neighborhood is located 28 km south-west of the city. Karlstejn was founded by Charles IV in 1348, remodeled in the 19th century. It is open year-round except Mondays. Foreigners are expected to buy an English guided tour at 90 Kc. Czech language guided tour is at 20 Kc but is not as good as the English one. The castle is about 30 minutes by train from Railway Station Smichov (Nadrazi Smichov). It is a really nice short day trip. There are a lot of shops on the way up to the castle from the village. You have a chance to buy Bohemia Crystal there much cheaper than in Prague. If you like delicious Czech cakes and pies visit the bakery in the left curve to the castle. You can't miss it, just smell :-)

Konopiste

The French style castle from 13th century got its neo Gothic face in the 1890s. It is open May to August. You can enjoy two really cool guided tours. For each you can join a Czech group for 20 Kc or take a 70 Kc English tour. The castle is located 44 km south-east of Prague. Take the train from the Main Railway Station (Hlavni Nadrazi) to Benesov. It will take an hour to get there. Benesov is nice small provincial and a kind of drowsy town. The castle is about 30 minutes walking distance from town in a beautiful park with a lake. It is a nice and calm long day trip particularly if the weather in summer is nice. If you are hurry or the weather is not the best, take a tour with a travel agency. Buy the tickets from the Visitor Center.

Krivoklat

The castle is located 40 km west of Prague and was built in the late 13th century. You can enjoy the prison, torture chambers and the second biggest non church Gothic hall there (after the Vladislav Hall in Prague Castle). Half the pleasure of going is getting there by train up the wooded valley. From Railway Station Smichov (Nadrazi Smichov) take a train to Beroun. Then transfer to the Rakovnik-bound one car train. Krivoklat is open June to August. It is a romantic train ride and nice long day trip. On weekdays you will find none of the crowds associated with place like Karlstejn. If you are hurry or the weather is not the best, take a tour with a travel agency. Buy the tickets from the Visitor Center.

Other Castles and Chateaux

There is the list of 41 most popular castles in the country. It is the best idea to call them to make a reservation in advance as some castles may be busy particularly during the top season.

Blatna Chateau, Na Prikopech 320, 388 01 Blatna, phone 383 422 934

Castolovice Chateau, 517 50 Castolovice, phone 494 323 646, email zamek@castolovice.cz

Cervena Lhota Chateau, 378 21 Kardasova Recice, phone 384 384 228

Cesky Krumlov Castle and Chateau, 381 01 Cesky Krumlov, 380 704 711, email castle@ck.ipex.cz

Cesky Sternberk Castle, 257 27 Cesky Sternberk, phone 317 855 101

Dobris Chateau, 263 01 Dobris, phone 318 521 240, email dobris@pusc.cz

Hluboka nad Vltavou Chateau, 373 41 Hluboka nad Vltavou, phone 387 967 045

Horovice Chateau, Vrbnovska 22, 268 01 Horovice, phone 311 512 479, email horovice@pusc.cz

Hradek u Nechanic Chateau, 503 15 Nechanice, phone 495 931 244

Chlumec nad Cidlinoou Chateau, 503 51 Chlumec nad Cidlinou, phone 495 484 519

Jindrichuv Hradec Castle and Chateau, 377 01 Jindrichuv Hradec, phone 384 321 279

Kamen Castle, 394 13 Kamen u Pacova, phone 565 426 619

Karlstejn Castle, 267 18 Karlstejn, phone 311 681 617, email karlstejn@pusc.cz

Kokorin Castle, 277 23 Kokorin, phone 315 695 064, email kokorin@pusc.cz

Konopiste Chateau, 256 01 Benesov u Prahy, phone 317 721 366, email zamek_konopiste@pha.pvtnet.cz

Kost Castle, 507 45 Mladejov, phone 493 571 144

Krakovec Castle, 270 35 Petrovice, phone 313 549 302

Krivoklat Castle, 270 23 Krivoklat, phone 313 558 120

Kuks Chateau, 544 43 Trutnov, phone 499 692 161

Kuneticka Hora Castle, 533 52 Stare Hradiste, phone 466 415 428

Lipnice nad Sazavou Castle, 582 32 Lipnice nad Sazavou, phone 569 486 114

Litomysl Chateau, 570 01 Litomysl, phone 461 611 066

Melnik Chateau, 276 01 Melnik, phone 315 622 121, email lobkowicz@lobkowicz-melnik.cz

Mnichovo Hradiste Chateau, 295 01 Mnichovo Hradiste, phone 326 773 098, email mhradiste@pusc.cz

Nachod Chateau, 547 01 Nachod, phone 491 426 201

Nelahozeves Chateau, 277 51 Nelahozeves, phone 315 709 111, email castle2@login.cz

Opocno Chateau, 517 73 Opocno, phone 494 668 216

Orlik Castle, 398 07 Orlik nad Vltavou, phone 382 275 101

Ratiborice Chateau, 552 03 Ceska Skalice, phone 491 452 123

Rozmberk nad Vltavou Castle, 382 18 Rozmberk nad Vltavou, phone 380 749 838

Rychnov nad Kneznou Chateau, 516 01 Rychnov nad Kneznou, phone 494 534 916

Sazava Chateau, 285 06 Sazava, phone 327 321 177, email sazava@pusc.cz

Stare Hrady Chateau, 507 23 Liban, phone 493 598 680

Tocnik Castle, 267 53 Tocnik, phone 311 533 202

Trebon Chateau, 379 01 Trebon, phone 384 721 193

Trosky Castle, 512 63 Rovensko pod Troskami, phone 481 313 925

Veltrusy Chateau, 277 46 Veltrusy, phone 315 781 146, email zamek.veltrusy@pha.pvtnet.cz

Zebrak Ruins, 267 53 Zebrak, phone 311 533 202

Zlata Koruna Monastery, 382 02 Zlata Koruna, phone 380 743 126

Zleby Chateau, 285 61 Zleby, phone 327 398 121, email zleby@pusc.cz

Zvikov Castle, 398 18 Zahori, phone 326 899 676