A Night at Karlštejn – Myths and Facts about
One of the Most Famous Czech Castles
Introduction ....................................................................................................................................................... 2
Description ........................................................................................................................................................ 3
History ............................................................................................................................................................... 4
Fables about the castle ....................................................................................................................................... 6
Film ................................................................................................................................................................... 7
How to get to the Castle .................................................................................................................................... 9
Tourist information.......................................................................................................................................... 10
Services for visitors: ........................................................................................................................................ 10
Conclusion ....................................................................................................................................................... 11
Resources ........................................................................................................................................................ 11
1
Introduction
Karlstejn Castle is one of the most fairy tale castles and most frequently visited castles in the Czech
Republic, put up over the river Berounka.
The Castle was built in Gothic style in 1348-1365. It was built by Charles IV, the king of Bohemia
from the house of Luxembourg and Holy Roman Emperor, as a royal treasury. The Imperial
Regalia, crown jewels, holy relics and other royal treasures were kept there.
The Castle was built upon a rock calcic promontory from the south side of Kněží hora hill at an
altitude of 316 metres.
It is located about 30 kilometres southwest of Prague above the village of the same name in the
middle protected landscape area of the Czech Karst.
2
Description
Karlštejn is a massive stone gothic castle. It consists of several separate buildings. Vineyard and
deep deciduous forests are in the surrounding. The most important parts of the castle there are The
Well Tower ( Studniční věž ), the Burgrave House (budova Purkrabství) , The Imperial Palace
(Císařský palác), the Marian Tower ( Mariánská věž ) and the Big Tower (Velká věž ).
The Well Tower
Although the well is 81 metres deep, it hasn´t got its own water resource. An underground channel
brings water from a nearby stream (Budňanský stream).
The Burgrave House
The Burgrave House was rebuilt many times. Now it is used for an administration of the castle and
a lot of solemn rituals take place there.
The Imperial Palace
The palace was a residence of a monarch, his family and his courtiers under Charles IV. and
Václav IV.
The Marian Tower
The Marian tower is connected with The Imperial Palace by the bridge. There is Virgin Mary´s
Church and sacristy on the second floor. There are valuable wall paintings with biblical motives in
the church. On the first floor there is treasury. The exposed things belong to Karlštejn treasure.
Visitors can see a copy of the crown of Saint Wenceslas there. Catherine´s chapel adjoins to the
church.
The Big Tower
The Big tower has the greatest fortification. There is the most valuable place in the castle – the
chapel of the Holly Cross. The chapel was closed by four iron doors, locked by nine keys and
watched by guardians.
3
The Marian Tower
History
This high gothic castle was founded in 1348 and has a unique position among Czech castles. It was
built by Czech King and Roman Emperor Charles IV as a place for safekeeping of the royal
treasures.
The first stay of Charles IV in the castle is documented in 1355 when he came to supervise the
4
building works as well as the decoration of interiors, especially the castle chapels. The construction
of the castle was finished in 1365.
At the beginning of the Hussite wars, the castle became the place for safekeeping of the Czech
coronation jewels. They were kept here with the exception of several short-time breaks for nearly
200 years.
The castle was reconstructed in late Gothic style after 1480 and in Renaissance style in the last
quarter of the 16th century.
The original step-like order of buildings is very impressive. From the Well Tower and Burgrave´s
Palace located as the lowest you walk up to the majestic five-floored Imperial Palace and further up
towards the Marian Tower. And finally at the top there is the monumental 60m high and separately
fortified Great Tower.
5
Fables about the Castle
The history of Karlstejn contains many myths and incredible stories. One of the famous characters
in the history of the castle was Václav Hájek z Libočan, well known for his Czech Chronicle.
No Woman Could Enter the Castle
Previously any woman couldn´t enter Karlštejn. This myth goes into present times and some people
still believe that it was true. A Night at Karlstejn is a 1974 Czechoslovak musical film directed by
Zdeněk Podskalský, based on a play by Jaroslav Vrchlický in 1884. But it is not historically correct.
This confusion was made by Václav Hájek. He wrote in his chronicle that women slept in Castle
Karlík. They walked visit their partners only during the day to the Karlštejn. The truth is written
in the founding scroll of the canonry. Women could enter and move in Karlštejn with the exception
of a part of the Big Tower where the seat of the guards of the precious treasure was.
The Czech Hant (An evil wife of a burgrave)
In the 16th century Kateřina Bechyňová lived in Karlštejn. She murdered fourteen people. The
sadistic lady tortured young maids, varlets and animals as well. A servant who did not fulfil her
wish was thrown into a dungeon. Václav Hájek denounced Kateřina to the court. She was
condemned to death by starvation. Ghosts of the dead maids haunt in the castle up to the present
day.
The Blind Musician
Story is about a blind musician and his loyal dog. He played the lute everywhere in the castle.
Those days a baron of Brunswick with his false servant was visiting Karlštejn. The servant tried to
poison the nobleman. But the nobleman gave poisoned wine to musician for his perfect music. A
dog jumped on the table, drank the wine and died. The dog saved musician´s life. The blind
musician stroked his dog for the last time and said “Noble Lord, the wine was poisoned and it
should have brought death to you”. Next week musician died because of the grief for his dog.
6
Film
A Night at Karlštejn
A Night at Karlštejn is a musical film, based on a play by Jaroslav Vrchlický. This 83 - minute long
film was directed by Zdeněk Podskalský and filmed in Karlštejn in 1973.
Storyline:
Charles IV, the Czech king and Holy Roman Emperor, has built Karlštejn castle to house the crown
jewels. It is a place of relaxation and meditation, so no women are allowed, and no politics are to be
discussed.
His young wife misses him, and in spite of the prohibition, resolves to sneak in for a night. At the
same time, one girl spends the night at Karlštejn to her fiancé´s father agreement to marry her love.
Both women dress up as pages. Things get complicated when a foreign dignitary comes to discuss
politics, the queen is the page guarding Charles' bedroom, and the country girl is keeping watch on
the walls of the castle.
Cast:
All the actors are excellent (especially Vlastimil Brodský, Jana Brejchová, Karel Höger)
7
Vlastimil Brodský
Emperor Karel IV.
Jana Brejchová
Empress Elise of Pomerania
Karel Höger
Archbishop Arnost of Pardubice
Jaroslav Marvan
Burgrave
Milos Kopecký
Duke Stepan of Bavaria
Waldemar Matuska
Cyprian prince
Slávka Budínová
Madame Ofka
Daniela Kolárová
Burgrave's niece
Jaromír Hanzlík
Emperor's page
Karel Hála
Varlet
Miloš Kopecký
8
How to get to the Castle
The castle is situated in a village of the same name above the River Berounka about 30 kilometres
away from Prague.
By car:
I think that the best and easily way to get to Karlštejn is go by car using the motorway D5 in the
direction to Plzeň ( Loděnice) and then by direction signs across the village of Bubovice and Hlásná
Třebáň to Karlštejn.
Another possibility is a way across Praha – Radotín, Dobřichovice, Řevnice, Hlásná Třebáň to
Karlštejn.
But the best is when you use GPS because the driving through these villages can be difficult.
The only possibility where you can park your car is the Central Car Park in the village and then you
have to go on foot to the castle. It takes about 20 minutes.
Remember that the village of Karlštejn is a pedestrian zone.
By train:
From Prague you can take a train (heading to Beroun) from the main station or the Smíchov station.
The train leaves every 30 minutes. The journey takes about 40 minutes. You should get off at the
Karlštejn station.
In front of the hall station turn right and walk across a bridge over the river Berounka, then turn
right again and after 50 metres turn left. Then go through the village to the castle. The castle is a
half kilometre hike up a hill.
On foot:
Very good trip is to go there on foot. The best way is to take a bus 313 from Radotín to Roblín and
from there go on foot through Mořina to Karlštejn.
9
Tourist information
You have a possibility to buy a ticket online by the internet. You can choose your tour, register, pay
by a credit card and print your tickets for visit of castle at home.
Rules for tourists:
It is not allowed to touch any exhibits, take photos and make video recording inside the castle.
These marks warn that you mustn´t do:
Services for visitors
After the sightseeing, the visitors can visit souvenir shops.
There is also a refreshment buffet on the courtyard.
You can buy coin minting performed on the grounds of the castle.
There is a parking area approximately 2 kilometres from the castle.
10
Conclusion
Why did I choose the theme of Karlštejn?
I like history and Karlštejn is a very important part of the Czech history. I have been there many
times, for example by car, by bike and on foot too. Karlštejn is not a long way from our house.
Why did I choose the topic in English?
There were several aspects why I chose this topic. The first one was the theme – it is close to my
interest. The second one is my all-out effort to improve my English..
This castle is fascinating, located in a nature protected area and it is worth seeing and visiting.
Resources
http://cs.wikipedia.org/wiki/Karl%C5%A1tejn
http://www.hradkarlstejn.cz/
http://www.mestys-karlstejn.cz/
http://www.hrad-karlstejn.com/hradni-povesti.php
11