<\/span><\/h3>\n\nThis is the reason to visit Karl\u0161tejn. Truly.<\/p>\n\n
The Chapel of the Holy Cross sits on the second floor of the Great Tower, and it’s the very space the entire castle was built to protect. Picture this: walls lined with polished semi-precious stones from the Ore Mountains, gilded mortar between the stones, thousands of stars made from Venetian glass set into gold on the vaulted ceiling. And on the walls, 129 panel paintings by Master Theodoric<\/strong> \u2014 the largest such collection in the world. Half-length figures of saints, popes, and emperors in gilded frames, some with tiny openings for storing relics.<\/p>\n\nThe chapel underwent a twenty-year restoration (1981\u20132000) and has survived in almost its original state from 1365. It’s often compared to the Sainte-Chapelle in Paris, and I’d say the comparison holds up rather well.<\/p>\n\n
Important:<\/strong> You can ONLY see the Chapel of the Holy Cross on Tour 2 (Castle Chapels). The basic tour doesn’t include it. More on that below in the tours section.<\/p>\n\n<\/span><\/span>The legend of the women ban: Myth vs. reality<\/span><\/span><\/h3>\n\nIf you’ve seen “A Night at Karl\u0161tejn” (a beloved 1973 Czech musical comedy \u2014 worth tracking down with subtitles!), you’ll know the story: women were supposedly banned from the castle. Queen Elisabeth of Pomerania sneaks in disguised, and hilarity ensues.<\/p>\n\n
The truth is a bit different. Women had perfectly free access to the castle, and queens and ladies of the court demonstrably stayed there. The only restriction applied to the Great Tower, where the coronation jewels were kept. In a decree from 1357, Charles IV ordered: “We forbid anyone from sleeping or lying with a woman in the tower of Karl\u0161tejn Castle in which the chapel is located.”<\/em> So it was about the Great Tower, not the entire castle.<\/p>\n\nThe myth of a total ban only emerged in the 19th century, thanks to playwright Jaroslav Vrchlick\u00fd, who interpreted historical sources rather creatively. But let’s be honest\u2026 without that myth, we wouldn’t have one of the most beloved Czech films ever made. \ud83d\ude01<\/p>\n\n
<\/span><\/span>The secret of the castle well<\/span><\/span><\/h3>\n\nThe castle well is about 80 metres deep, has an unusual rectangular shape (most castle wells are circular), and its bottom widens into a jug-like form. But the most fascinating part is how water actually got into it.<\/p>\n\n
Miners from Kutn\u00e1 Hora dug the well, but even at 70 metres deep (below river level), they found no water. The solution? They carved a nearly kilometre-long tunnel from the Bud\u0148ansk\u00fd stream to feed water into the well. The existence of this supply was a closely guarded state secret \u2014 only the emperor and the castellan knew about it. And according to legend, the workers who built the tunnel were executed upon completion so they couldn’t reveal the route to any enemy.<\/p>\n\n
Charming, isn’t it? Charles IV certainly didn’t mess about.<\/p>\n\n
<\/span><\/span>Karl\u0161tejn Castle tours \u2014 which to choose and ticket prices<\/span><\/span><\/h2>\n\nKarl\u0161tejn offers a whopping seven tour routes, from the basic one for a few euros to an exclusive “coffee with the castellan” experience that costs about as much as a nice dinner for two. Let’s break them down so you know exactly what you’re getting into.<\/p>\n\n
<\/span><\/span>Tour 1: Imperial Residence of Charles IV \u2014 the essential tour<\/span><\/span><\/h3>\n\nThis is the most popular route and, for most visitors, the only one they’ll do. You’ll walk through the historical interiors of the Imperial Palace and the Marian Tower \u2014 the Courtiers’ Hall, the Knights’ Hall with the Chapel of St. Nicholas, and Charles’s bedroom with the Chapel of St. Wenceslas.<\/p>\n\n
\nDuration:<\/strong> 55 minutes<\/li>\n\nCapacity:<\/strong> max 45 people<\/li>\n\nPrice:<\/strong> 12 \u20ac adults \/ 10 \u20ac seniors & youth \/ 3.60 \u20ac children 6\u201317 \/ free for children under 5<\/strong><\/li>\n\nBooking:<\/strong> only required for groups<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\nThe rooms are relatively sparsely furnished \u2014 most artefacts are behind ropes and some spaces actually double as souvenir shops (the Well Tower, Clock Tower, even the former prison). That said, the guides are usually excellent, so you’ll still have a good time.<\/p>\n\n
Verdict:<\/strong> A solid introduction to the castle’s history, and ideal for families with small children (it’s the shortest tour). But if this is your once-in-a-lifetime visit to Karl\u0161tejn and you want to see the real treasure \u2014 invest in Tour 2.<\/p>\n\n<\/span><\/span>Tour 2: Karl\u0161tejn Castle Chapels \u2014 this is the one<\/span><\/span><\/h3>\n\nThis is the tour that people come to Karl\u0161tejn for. You’ll walk through the eastern wing of the palace, the upper floor of the Marian Tower, and the Great Tower. You’ll see the Church of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary with Gothic frescoes of the Apocalypse, the Chapel of St. Catherine (Charles IV’s personal oratory with gilded walls), and most importantly \u2014 the Chapel of the Holy Cross<\/strong> with Master Theodoric’s paintings.<\/p>\n\n\nDuration:<\/strong> 100 minutes<\/li>\n\nCapacity:<\/strong> max 16 people (!!!)<\/li>\n\nPrice:<\/strong> 26 \u20ac adults \/ 20 \u20ac seniors & youth \/ 7.60 \u20ac children 6\u201317 \/ 7.60 \u20ac also for children under 5<\/strong> (note: no free entry here!)<\/li>\n\nBooking:<\/strong> ESSENTIAL even for individuals \u2014 call +420 311 681 617<\/li>\n\nSeason:<\/strong> May\u2013October only<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\nWith a capacity of just 16 people per tour, spots fill up fast. Book as early as possible, especially in summer. It’s worth every penny \u2014 this is an experience you simply can’t get anywhere else in Czechia.<\/p>\n\n
Verdict:<\/strong> Hands down the best tour. Visiting Karl\u0161tejn without seeing the Chapel of the Holy Cross is like going to Rome and skipping the Colosseum. Worth every cent.<\/p>\n\n