As a country with rich history, Czech Republic has a lot to offer when it comes to historical places.
The summer season is the perfect opportunity to go around and explore the beautiful places in and around Prague. In this article we have suggested a number of beautiful castles you can visit this summer.
Konopiště Chateau
Located around 50 km outside of Prague, visiting Konopiště Chateau is a must. Built as early as the 1280s, the Konopiště Chateau has a lot to offer when it comes to scenery, architecture and decorations. Originally a Gothic fortification, it was transformed into a Baroque style chateau in the 18th century. The castle is surrounded by a forest and a park with a beautifully arranged garden and a small lake. With high towers and a stone bridge on the outside, on the inside the castle offers an astonishing interior of marble fireplaces, ceiling art, carved decorations and luxurious furniture.
You can also expect to see rich and rare collections and exhibitions, a shooting range and a museum. In addition, the castle was the residence of Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria, whose murder led to the start of World War I. you can see the bullet in the castle’s museum.
How to get there:
By car: takes approximately 1 hour. You need to get either on Route D1/E65, and then take Exit 21 to continue on Route 3/E55. Then you need to take the exit towards Konopiste and drive about 5 minutes onto Route 10614 until you reach the Castle.
By train: from Praha Hlavní Nádraží to Benesov, then get bus 428 Hradištko, Brunšov from Besesov, Aut.St. to Benesov, Konopiste and walk about 1km to the Castle.
Train fare is 68 CZK per person and takes over 1 hour.
Admission fee: Please, note that admission fee varies on the trip you choose to take inside and outside the castle. Reservation is needed in advance.
Křivoklát Castle
Built in the late 13th century, the Křivoklát Castle is one of the oldest and most interesting castles in the country. Home to many royal families over the years, the Gothic style castle has a lot to offer when it comes to collections of books (over 50 000 volumes), paintings, sculptures, hunting weapons and more. The high walls and the mysterious dungeons of the castle are also home to a museum and host many theatrical exhibitions.
How to get there:
By car: take on European route E50, take exit 14 onto Route 118, continuing onto Routes 116 and 201, until you reach the Castle.
Alternatively, you can take on Route D6 and then turn left onto Route 236 until you reach your destination. This trip lasts a bit over an hour.
By train: from Praha Hlavní Nádraží to Beroun stop, where you will change to go to Křivoklát, then walk half a kilometre to the Castle.
This trip lasts about two hours and costs 76 CZK per person.
Český Šternberk Castle
Český Šternberk Castle, built in 1241, is one of the best preserved Medieval castles in the country. Sitting on the bank of Sázava River and surrounded by forests, the castle offers a beautiful scenery. Český Šternberk is yet another castle with Gothic style, however it is combined with early Baroque renovations. It also offers a unique, and one of the largest in Europe collections of copper engravings from the Thirty Years’ War, as well as collections of weapons and hunting trophies. Inside you will also find rooms furnished beautifully in various styles from different historical periods and you will be able to take a glimpse of this unique building.
How to get there:
By car: take onto Route E65 until you reach exit 21. There you can either continue onto Route E50 or Route E55. The trip should last approximately 1 hour.
Admission fee:
Tours in Czech language:
Children and students: 100 CZK
Adults: 150 CZK
Tours in foreign languages (English, German, Russian, French):
Children and students: 160 CZK
Adults: 230 CZK
The State Castle in Český Krumlov
Despite the fact that it takes longer to get to this castle (about 3 hours), you will definitely not regret visiting. Located in the town Český Krumlov and sitting on the Valtava River, Krumlov Castle is one of the largest in Central Europe and has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1992. The enormous Castle has a rococo garden and stables, as well as its own museum, Gothic Church St. Vitus and a Baroque Style theatre.
In case, you visit the castle, why not go around and see the rest of the city? Hosting a number of summer festivals, as well as a few museums, the city is the perfect place for a wonderful one day trip. In addition, nearby Český Krumlov, you can find one of Bohemia’s oldest monasteries, Zlatá Koruna, as well as Czech Republic’s largest national park, Šumava National Park.
How to get there:
By car: go onto Route D4 and then take the exit towards Route 20/E49.
You can travel on Route D3 and continue onto Route 3 until you reach the city.
The trip will take a bit less than 3 hours.
By bus: from Praha Hlavní Nádraží to Český Krumlov. The ride lasts for approximately 2 hours.
Admission fee:
Please, note that admission fee varies on the trip you choose to take inside the castle, as well as on the language of the tour. Reservation is needed in advance.