Karlštejn Castle & Konopiště Chateau, 8 hrs

KONOPIŠTĚ CHATEAU AND KARLŠTEJN CASTLE TOUR, 7-8 hrs

Visit the two most famous Czech castles near Prague. Karlstejn has a beautiful exterior image and Konopiste as chateau boasts with the rich collections of art and hunting trophies.

 
Visit the medieval castle Karlstejn, where no woman was allowed to walk in! The impressive high gothic style castle was founded in 1348 as the secret royal treasury for the crown jewels, by the emperor Charles IV. You can see the medieval residential rooms of the emperor and his family. Walk around the castle yards and walls. There is a unique precious Chapel of the Holy Cross, where the treasures were kept in the past. We strongly recommend the visit of this sacred place!  All visitors must join the guided tours organized by the castle. 

Walking down from the castle you can enjoy the local village full of galleries, shops and restaurants with the beautiful view of the castle. If you prefer a short walk in the nature you can stop at the nearby picturesque stone quarry called "America". 

The chateau Konopiste houses large collections of hunting trophies, historical hunting weapons, paintings, furniture and porcelain. It dates back from 14th century, later reconstructed and refurbished in the Romantic style for Archduke Franz Ferdinand d´Este in 1890s. The chambers of this magnificent seat of the intending emperor were equipped with the famous large collections.

Approximate itinerary
9:00 depart Prague, 10:30 tour Konopiste, 12:00 departure, lunch in Karlstejn/or Konopiste, walk up the hill, 14:00 Karlstejn tour, 15:30 depart 16:30 arrival to Prague  

Price includes one of the "Sightseeing options" for each place - according to your choice! 

Sightseeing options Karlstejn:

1. The representative rooms of Emperor Charles IV - Standard tour - historic interiors of the Imperial Palace and the Marian Tower, copy of the Czech Crown. (55 min, Ticket 320CZK/reduced 230CZK, CLOSED MONDAYS! opening times  https://www.hrad-karlstejn.cz/en/visitors-information/tours/1562-the-private-and-representative-rooms-of-emperor-charles-iv-basic-tour ).

2. The sacred rooms with the Chapel of the Holy Cross - Exclusive tour  - must be booked in advance!, let us know ahead if you wish this option! - see: Imperial Palace, the Church of the Virgin Mary and the St. Catherine Chapel, the Great Tower and the unique Chapel of the Holy Cross, ( 100 min. Ticket 750CZK/ reduced 530CZK. Open only May - October)

3. The Great Tower View - upper floors of the Great Tower. You will see stairway with Gothic wallpaintings, former guardroom and armoury, an exclusive view from the highest point of the castle. (40min, Ticket 260CZK/reduced 180CZK. Open only: May - September)

4. The Wax Figurines Museum - meet the figures from the Czech history and unique kaleidoscope (30 min, entrance 100 CZK, open daily 10-18)

5. Amerika -  the old stone quarry called "America", local miniature of the Grand Canyon :-) (30 min, for free)

6. Walk along the river in the nature - castle is located in the The Český kras (Bohemian Karst) Protected Landscape Area (about 60 minutes, 0,- entry fee, http://www.cittadella.cz/europarc/index.php?p=index&site=CHKO_cesky_kras_en, https://www.protectedplanet.net/karlstejn-national-nature-reserve) 

Sightseeing options Konopiste:
1. Interior route I.- representative rooms with period furniture, historical paintings and porcelain, famous "hunting trophy corridor" - over 800 pieces (50 min, 300 CZK/210 CZK reduced).
2. Interior route II. - the oldest part of the castle, one of the most valuable and the most important collection of armoury in the Central Europe (50 min, 300/210 CZK).
3. Interior exclusive route III. – private family rooms of Archduke Francis Ferdinand d'Este presenting also the history of the Habsburg family (60 min, 380/270 CZK).

4. Interior route Hunting route - walk through the castle with the orientation on hunting theme and weaponry (50min, 220/150 CZK)
5. St. George museum -  Archduke collected many arts and crafts related to the cult of St. George (15 min, included in entrance ticket).
6. Shooting range  -  moving and acoustic targets from 19th century (10min, included in entrance ticket).
7. Rose garden - greenhouses from 1890s for a rare tropical plants  (20 min, ticket 50 CZK/40 CZK, open May-September, April and October only weekends).
8. Gothic Cellar – open only in August, 67 steps, 13 degrees Celsius (40 min, need to be reserved in advance).
9. Gourmet food lunch, wild game specialities and Czech cuisine - restaurant Stara Myslivna www.staramyslivna.com, nearby the Chateau. 

Prices include: guide service, transfer service and the time for two "Sightseeing Options" listed above, according to your choice, all taxes, parking fees, water available in the vehicle.
If you ask for more sightseeing options, the exceeding time is extra 900 CZK per hour.
Prices do not include: Entry fees for the interior tours or meals. 

Related websites: Chateau Konopiste www.zamek-konopiste.cz ; Castle Karlstejn http://www.hrad-karlstejn.cz/en