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Karlštejn Castle

Karlštejn Castle
Middle Ages Sunday, 20. October 2024

Karlštejn Castle, located near Prague, Czech Republic, was founded in 1348 by Emperor Charles IV. Originally built to safeguard the crown jewels and relics, it features Gothic architecture with richly decorated interiors. The castle is a symbol of medieval power and remains a popular historic landmark today.

Karlštejn castle, one of the internationally recognized tangible symbols of Czech history, was named after its founder, King and later Emperor Charles IV, as Karlstein (German for "Charles's Stone"), from which the Czech name Karlštejn is derived. Construction of the castle likely began around 1348, but it took a full seven years before Charles IV could begin to reside there. The initial phase of building this representative residence on a limestone cliff above the Berounka River logically focused on establishing a system of fortifications and the economic and administrative buildings necessary for the castle's operation. These included walls with a Zwinger, the burgrave's buildings, the so-called well tower supplied with water from the Budňanský creek, the palace, and a lesser tower. Charles IV's residence at the castle is documented from 1355, when these structures were mostly standing or nearing completion.

Karlstejn Castle - Czech Republic near Prague

The period from 1356 to 1365 was marked by the construction of the Great Tower, whose size gave it its name, as well as the final stages of building and interior modifications of the castle. In the lesser tower, Charles IV established the seat of the Karlštejn collegiate chapter and the collegiate church of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary, which led to the tower being called the Marian Tower. This building also housed a collection of relics of the Saints and included the Chapel of St. Catherine, a favored patron of Charles IV. During the construction of the Great Tower in the 1360s, Charles decided to place the imperial coronation treasure, including the imperial coronation jewels, in Karlštejn—thus, in the second floor of the tower, the renowned Chapel of the Holy Cross was created, adorned with gemstone inlays, 130 panel paintings from Master Theodoric's workshop, and a triptych by painter Tommaso da Modena. It was consecrated on February 9, 1365. The Great Tower ultimately served as a representative building and treasury.

Wulflund medieval shop - Karlstejn castle

Wulflund medieval shop - Karlštej castle, Czech Republic - you are welcome! Visit us.

The castle continued to function as a secure treasury even after Charles IV's death. At the beginning of the Hussite Wars in the 15th century, the Bohemian coronation jewels were moved here, although Emperor Sigismund of Luxembourg removed them again in 1421. During the Hussite Wars, the castle was held by a Catholic garrison loyal to Sigismund. Karlštejn was besieged by the hussite forces of the City of Prague from 1421 to 1422, but the castle withstood even the use of artillery and defended itself successfully. After the Hussite Wars, the Bohemian coronation jewels returned to the castle, along with valuable archives, such as the crown archive and so-called „land tables“, although the imperial coronation jewels did not return. In the 15th century, a new entrance to the castle was built with two new gate towers, the palace was expanded by an additional floor, and the burgrave's building was enlarged at the beginning of the 16th century. Further repairs and modifications were undertaken by Emperor Rudolf II from 1579 to 1597, during which the castle received new Renaissance decorations and sgraffito plaster.

Karlštejn's decline began with the Thirty Years' War—the castle was no longer considered sufficiently secure, and all valuable treasures and documents were removed in early summer 1619. In 1625, Emperor Ferdinand II abolished the office of the Karlštejn Burgrave, and the castle changed hands several times until it was acquired by the Institute of Noblewomen in the 18th century. While the Karlštejn collegiate chapter office remained, the castle continued to deteriorate and fall into disrepair.

The castle's rescue in the 19th century was initiated by Emperor Francis I, who ordered the most urgent repairs, primarily to the roofs, in 1812. Intensive repair and reconstruction work began in 1866. These repairs and modifications, involving architects Friedrich Schmidt, Ludwig Wachter, Franz Jobst, and Josef Mocker, continued until 1905. The castle then acquired its present appearance, which significantly differed from its appearance during Charles IV's time. Although these restoration works saved the castle, they were not always carried out appropriately and sensitively—for example, the reconstruction of the burgrave's building to its early 16th-century form was preceded by the demolition of the original structure. No further major reconstruction took place until the second half of the 20th century, necessitated by the growing number of visitors. Thus, Karlštejn Castle has endured and continues to astonish as a reminder of the majesty of Emperor and King Charles IV and as a cultural and historical symbol of the Czech Republic.

 

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