Karlštejn, Czech Republic

The Karlštejn is a medieval castle located in the Karlštejn village about 20 kilometres southwest of Prague, in Czech Republic. The castle was built from 1348 to 1365 by the Czech and Holy Roman Emperor Charles IV. The Karlštejn served as the place for safekeeping of the royal treasures and Charle's collection of holy relics.



After the outbreak of the Hussite Wars in 1419 was the castle used also for safekeeping of the Czech coronation jewels which were kept there for almost two centuries. After year 1480 was the Karlštejn reconstructed in the late Gothic style, in the second half of the 16th century in Renaissance style, while its present Neo-Gothic style appearance dates from the end of 19th century. Today is the Karlštejn open to the public as a museum but it also hosts the Karlštejn Wine Festival annually in September.