If you consider the Czech Republic it’s possible you’ll not consider castles, however this charming central European nation has one of many highest densities of castles on the planet. There are greater than 2,000 castles within the Czech Republic.
You won’t have time for all of these fortress excursions in your subsequent go to to the Czech Republic. So, we narrowed down the record so that you can the High 10 Should Go to Castles in Czech Republic!
Czech Republic Citadel FAQ
Q: What number of Castles are there within the Czech Republic?
A: There are greater than 2,000 castles within the Czech Republic
Q: What’s Citadel in Czech translation?
A: Hrad is the Czech phrase for fortress, and it may be discovered within the names and signage for a lot of castles within the Czech Republic
Q: What’s the most well-known fortress within the Czech Republic?
A: The Prague Citadel is essentially the most well-known fortress and except for being a shocking piece of structure, it’s nonetheless an necessary a part of the federal government within the Czech Republic.
1. Prague Citadel
The most important and positively one of the vital spectacular castles within the Czech Republic must be the Prague Citadel. Positioned within the coronary heart of the capital metropolis, the Prague Citadel could be seen from many spots throughout the town. Nevertheless, the easiest way to expertise it’s to take a guided tour of the grounds and necessary rooms. If you’re brief on time or would slightly discover by yourself we even have an intensive information to Prague Citadel.
The scale and scale of Prague Citadel usually are not simply immense when evaluating it to different Czech Republic Castles, however it’s one of many prime 3 largest castles in the complete world. Plan on spending a greater half of your day right here if you wish to see many of the highlights.
Don’t miss the town views from excessive on the fortress partitions for some distinctive views trying again towards Previous City Sq..
2. Cesky Krumlov Citadel
Located within the coronary heart of Cesky Krumlov, the UNESCO World Heritage web site of Cesky Krumlov Citadel is the second-most visited fortress in the entire Czech Republic. Though the origins of the fortress date again to the mid-1200s, its present Baroque look was accomplished within the 1600s.
It’s arduous to overlook this towering fortress because it looms over the complete historic metropolis heart. As you strategy the entrance of the fortress, you’ll stroll over the Bear Moat Bridge. This leads on to the Decrease Citadel, the oldest remaining construction on the property. Then, you’ll must cross the five-story Cloak Bridge to succeed in the Higher Citadel, which accommodates the gorgeous Cesky Krumlov Baroque Theater. The theater was inbuilt 1767 and is likely one of the final remaining Baroque theaters in Europe.
After touring the inside of the fortress, make your strategy to the gorgeous gardens. On the heart of the gardens is the cascading fountain, constructed within the 18th century in a Baroque model. You’ll additionally discover a revolving auditorium that was not too long ago inbuilt 1959.
3. Hluboka Citadel
With its white stone facade and plush rose gardens, the Hluboka Citadel seems as if it belongs in a fairytale. Initially constructed within the thirteenth century, the Hluboka Citadel has been via a number of reconstructions throughout its lifetime. The present constructing was constructed within the 18th century by the aristocratic Schwarzenberg household, who lived within the fortress till the beginning of World Conflict II. Now, the Hluboka Citadel is a chosen Nationwide Cultural Monument; it’s thought of to be one of the vital spectacular castles within the Czech Republic.
Contained in the fortress, you’ll discover ornately adorned libraries, eating rooms, smoking rooms, and extra. It’s additionally doable to go to the personal house that after belonged to Jan Adolf II Schwarzenberg, the person who restored the fortress within the 18th century. As you stroll via the fortress, be aware of the portraits hanging within the completely different rooms – lots of them are work of the Schwarzenberg members of the family.
4. Lednice Citadel
Though the Lednice Citadel dates again to the early 1200s, the present fortress because it seems at this time was constructed within the mid-1800s. Prince Alois II, the Prince of Liechtenstein on the time, constructed the palace as his summer time retreat. With its stately spires and marvelous leisure halls, the Lednice Citadel can simply be categorised as an English Neo-Gothic constructing.
Apart from touring the inside of the fortress’s grand halls and flats, it’s additionally price taking the time to benefit from the manicured gardens surrounding the castles. A tranquil lake sits on the entrance of the fortress and is dotted with small islands and slender river channels. On the lake, it’s doable to lease a ship to take you to the park’s towering minaret. An expensive different is to rent a horse and carriage, which is able to take you across the fortress grounds as a substitute.
The fortress grounds embody a palm-tree greenhouse, Masonic wall, and even a Roman aqueduct. With so many issues to see and do, it’s really useful to spend no less than a full day exploring all the things the fortress has to supply.
5. Kost Citadel
Based within the 14th century by Beneš of Vartemberk, the Kost Citadel is likely one of the best-preserved Gothic castles within the Czech Republic. Many of the fortress’s outer construction stays in its unique type, though completely different buildings, just like the Renaissance Bibrštejn and Lobkowicz Palace, had been added over the previous couple of centuries. Total, it’s the trapezoid-like ground plan and large stone towers that make it’s one of the vital spectacular fortresses within the nation.
Essentially the most gorgeous characteristic of Kost Citadel is the five-story White Tower, which was used as a protection lookout tower. You’ll additionally discover the smaller, cylindrical Hungary tower close by constructed within the 14th century. The fortress is encircled by thick stone partitions, which added an additional stage of safety to the protection fortress.
Throughout your guided tour of the fortress, you’ll even be taken into the underground torture chamber, used to carry prisoners through the sixteenth, seventeenth, and 18th-centuries.
6. Karlstejn Citadel
Nestled between tree-lined forests and rolling hills, the magnificent Karlstejn Citadel boasts panoramic views of the village of Karlstejn. It was constructed as a treasury in 1348 by King Charles IV, who used the fortress to carry his royal treasures and crown jewels from the Roman Empire. These treasures had been positioned within the Chapel of the Holy Cross, which could be discovered within the fortress’s Nice Tower. Though the crown jewels had been eliminated for a brief interval through the Hussite Wars, they remained within the Chapel of the Holy Cross till the seventeenth century.
As with most castles within the Czech Republic, the Karlstejn Citadel has seen many phases of reconstruction throughout its lifetime. Initially constructed within the late Gothic model, it was transformed in a Renaissance model through the sixteenth century. The current-day fortress is now a neo-Gothic constructing.
Though most of the rooms are off-limits to guests, you’ll see the Imperial Palace, Corridor of Knights, Chapel of St. Nicholas, the Royal Bed room, and the Chapel of the Holy Cross. Contained in the chapel, you’ll discover a assortment of 129 14th-century work by Grasp Theodoric – the biggest portrait gallery within the nation.
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7. Konopiste Citadel
Famed for being the final residence of Franz Ferdinand, the Konopiste Citadel is as wealthy in historical past as it’s in magnificence. It was initially constructed in 1280 within the model of a French fortress with cylindrical towers, ornate gates, and even a drawbridge. All through the centuries, it went via completely different Renaissance, Baroque, faux-historical phases.
Franz Ferdinand purchased the property in 1887 and closely transformed the fortress and surrounding space. One in every of his most notable contributions was with the rework of the fortress gardens; he added greenhouses, rose bushes, and several other Italian-style statues. After his assassination in 1914, the fortress was taken over by the federal government and became a public monument.
The fortress stays in the identical situation as Franz Ferdinand left it. Guests can see his personal rooms, together with his house, looking assortment, and a capturing corridor with transferring targets. There’s even the Obizzi-Este assortment, the third-largest assortment of medieval weapons and armory in Europe.
- Deal with: 256 01 Benešov
- Nearest metropolis: Prague
- Nearest fortress: Karlstejn Citadel
8. Orlik Citadel
Perched excessive atop a rocky cliff, the Orlik Citadel looms over the peaceable Vltava River. The primary recorded point out of the fortress dates again to 1230 when it was only a easy wood fortress. A number of centuries later, it was transformed right into a stone fortress and handed over to the rich Schwarzenberg household, who used it as their primary residence. To at the present time, the Orlik Citadel remains to be managed by the Schwarzenberg household.
You may entry the fortress by crossing a stone bridge that extends throughout a moat. The inside of the fortress was inbuilt an Empire model, besides the Gothic model Hunter’s Corridor and chapel. Essentially the most spectacular rooms, together with the Larger and Lesser Knight’s Halls, the Empire Saloon, the Library, and the Gun Hall, are positioned on the fortress’s primary stage.
Subsequent to the fortress, you’ll discover the spectacular English park, which covers roughly 350 acres. Along with the plush gardens, Orlik Citadel additionally options an unique fuchsias greenhouse.
9. Bezdez Citadel
Bezdez Citadel is taken into account one of the vital influential Gothic constructions within the Czech Republic. It’s located atop the phonolite hill of Velky Bezdez, nearly 2,000 toes above sea stage, and boasts sweeping views of the plush, inexperienced valleys under. All through its historical past, it’s been a jail, a Benedictine monastery, and most not too long ago, a pilgrimage retreat through the Romantic motion.
Like many castles within the nation, many of the rooms are off-limits to guests. Nevertheless, the royal palace, burgrave’s home, and the distinctive early Gothic Chapel are among the highlights that stay open to the general public. The chapel is of basic Hessen model. On the time, it was believed to be one of the vital spectacular creative constructions within the nation.
For among the finest views of the encompassing panorama, you may also go to the Knight’s Corridor on the highest ground of the good tower. From right here, you’ll be handled to dramatic views over Macha Lake, the Krkonose Mountains, and even the spires of Prague’s St. Vitus Cathedral (on a transparent day, in fact.)
10. Bouzov Citadel
The historical past of Bouzov Citadel might not be as outstanding as different castles within the Czech Republic, however its stately construction and ornate inside make it the most effective castles within the nation to go to. Constructed within the early 14th-century, Bouzov Citadel was used as a fortress to observe the incoming commerce route. Sadly, the fortress’s primary construction was burned to the bottom in 1558 and remained uninhabited for over 100 years.
At present, the Bouzov Citadel is of the Romantic Neo-gothic model. The buildings on-site are clustered in a horseshoe form, with a 190-foot watchtower protruding from the middle of the advanced. On the within, it’s furnished with lavish art work and custom-made furnishings, sourced from a non-public assortment from Eugen von Habsburg and the Teutonic Knights. All the fortress is protected by a moat and may solely be accessed when the drawbridge is down.
If you happen to suppose Bouzov Citadel seems acquainted, you aren’t fallacious: the fortress’s spectacular, fairy-tale-like construction could be seen in dozens of Czech motion pictures and TV exhibits.v
11. Kokorin Citadel
Regardless of its small dimension, Kokorin Citadel is likely one of the most stunning castles to go to within the Czech Republic. Positioned in the course of a nature reserve surrounded by the Kokorin Valley, the Kokorin Citadel boasts dramatic views from each nook. Though it was initially constructed within the 14th-century, it was destroyed through the Hussite Wars. Reconstruction of the fortress didn’t happen till the 1900s (a number of centuries later.)
The fortress itself is simply two tales tall, however the imposing cylindrical protection tower is noticeably taller. As a result of its younger age, the inside of the fortress solely accommodates replicas of conventional furnishings. Nevertheless, the art work, weaponry, and ceramic decorations are thought of to be originals. After the brief tour, you’ll be capable of spend just a few hours soaking within the spectacular panorama or mountaineering alongside the rocky outcrops surrounding the fortress.
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