What is the most famous castle in the Czech Republic? The names and photos of castles in the Czech Republic

The tourist path to Prague has long been trodden by our travelers. In the capital of the Czech Republic go to the New Year and on summer vacation, as well as in the off-season. And this romantic city is considered a good place for marriage unions and honeymooning. In the capital of the Czech Republic, tourists are attracted by two castles, hanging in front of each other on the opposite banks of the Vltava. Prague Castle was founded in the ninth century. The complex of this Kremlin includes several castles from different eras. And on the right bank of the Vltava, on a rocky hill, is the fortress of Vysehrad. From this place went Prague. Here lived the first rulers of the region and Princess Libuša. But few tourists know that the Czech Republic is a country of castles. In the state there are more than two and a half thousand. To look them all out is not enough for life. Therefore, in this article we will highlight the most popular and interesting castles in the Czech Republic.

Classification

First of all, I need to say a couple of words about how these structures are subdivided. In the Czech language there are two words for the name of the castle: "Grad" and "Zamek". Hrad is a medieval citadel, usually surrounded by a moat or hanging on an inaccessible rock, with walls with loopholes and other defensive structures. Earlier in the city were inhabited settlements (hence the name). But later the feudal lords separated themselves from the people. Thus, we can say that "Hrad" corresponds to our notion of "Kremlin". In small settlements there are "hail" and "hradeki". But zamek is already a fundamentally different type of structure. Yes, and they were built later, in an era when it was not necessary to constantly defend themselves. The feudal lords who lived in them settled their ancestral nests, giving them chic by the standards of their era. Palaces-castles of the Czech Republic on the map of the country are scattered throughout the territory, but their maximum concentration is observed near the capital. After all, the Nobles wanted to live near the royal residence.

Tours «Castles of the Czech Republic»

Since hailstones and palaces are scattered all over the country, it is very difficult to visit all of them independently. We have to choose the most worthy and popular ones. If you are interested in Gothic defense town planning or Renaissance palaces, it makes sense to book a special tour. His program includes visiting all the important castles in the Czech Republic. Tourists stop at hotels in small towns, from where they make sorties in two or even three interesting places per day. This, of course, is Cesky Krumlov and Hluboka over Vltava in South Bohemia; Konopiště and Karlštejn in the Central. In the Olomoucky region, tourists will visit the famous Sternbek and Bouzov. In Pardubice - Litice nad Orlici, Kutnetsku-gora and Svojanov. And in South Moravia, tourists will see Spielberk, Lednice and Persten.

Wedding in the Czech Republic in the castle

Someone is organizing a symbolic marriage ceremony on the islands of Fiji, someone is marrying the traditions of Thailand ... And others are going to formalize relations in the Czech Republic. And the wedding tour can include both the most real marriage, with the registration of all necessary documents, and symbolic. In the second case, such a package of services will cost three hundred euros cheaper. You can register your relationship both in Nussel Town Hall in Prague and in a romantic castle. For example, you can exchange gold rings not anywhere, but in the summer residence of the Czech President. Troy Castle is a very elegant palace that will surprise guests with the luxury of interiors. An excellent background for photo shoots will be romantic Cherven Lhota or snow-white, like a bride's dress, Rozhmberk. Wedding in the Czech Republic in the castle will be an unforgettable event in your life. By the way, some palaces work like hotels. Thus, in the castle you can not only walk away the wedding, but also spend the first wedding night.

The best

If you have time to spare, and you still want to make an impression of the fortresses and palaces of the country, you have to choose. But what castle to visit? Which of them is considered the best, fabulous, beautiful? This same question was asked and the Czech Ministry of Tourism. In order to clarify the matter, it conducted a survey of the local population. People had to answer what they thought were the most beautiful and romantic castles in the Czech Republic. The photo was published with the names of the winners. The top three in beauty included Telc, Pernštejn and Cherven Lhota. Already without involvement of the population, the ministry has clarified which Czech castles are the most visited. Of course, the two Prague Castle were in the lead. And of those who are in the province, Karlstein and Cesky Krumlov defeated. The most beautiful and majestic examples of Gothic construction are Loket, Křivoklát and Karlštejn already mentioned here. In the category "Renaissance", Nelahozeves and Telcus won, and in the "Baroque" - Valtice and Mylnik.

Zvikov

Let's now consider the most popular castles in the Czech Republic. Photos with the names of these beautiful places are placed in tourist guides around the country, they are replicated on countless postcards, T-shirts, and magnets. If you ask yourself which castle fits perfectly into the surrounding landscape, then the answer is: Zvikov. He proudly rises on a rock where Vltava and Otava merge together. For the first time Zvikov is mentioned in the annals of 1234 as the property of Przemysl Otokar the First. The castle was repeatedly rebuilt and strengthened. But still there were frescoes of the fifteenth century, medieval furniture. And the castle chapel of St. Wenceslas reached us in its original form. Now in Zvikov there is a museum exposition that carries us to distant medieval times. To hold a marriage ceremony in the castle, you need to contact the administration of the town of Zwickie Pograd.

Karlštejn

Some ancient castles of the Czech Republic still lie in ruins and wait for restorers. But not Karlshtejn. Since this castle is only thirty kilometers from Prague, a tourist trail does not grow to it. We can even say this: all the well-being of the inhabitants of Karlstejn town is somehow connected with the castle. Founded this citadel is King Charles the Fourth. The monarch had a penchant for collecting various relics. Thus, modern tourists are invited to inspect not only the chambers and fortifications, but also the royal treasury. Walking around the castle can be absolutely free, but the entrance fee is paid and only as part of the excursions. There are two of them: overview (treasury and main objects) and more detailed (collection of easel painting and the palace chapel of the Holy Cross). In the town of Karlstejn (since you came here) it is worth to visit museums: watches, wax figures and Christmas nativity scenes.

Konopiště

The most beautiful castles of the Czech Republic are located not far from the capital. One of them - Konopishte, forty-eight kilometers east of Prague and 2 km from the small town of Benesov. This castle was founded at the end of the thirteenth century. Multiple reconstructions did not disfigure, but, on the contrary, embellished the once gloomy and impregnable citadel. On the medieval basement stands a charming palace, and adjoins an equally charming park with a rosary and artificial ponds, along which proudly the peacocks walk. The entire museum exposition of the Konopiště castle is dedicated to its last owner, Archduke Franz Ferdinand. You can walk in the park for free. You need to buy a ticket to get into the chambers. Excursions around the huge castle-palace are three. The first is the southern wing with the Hunting corridor. The second tour covers the northern part of the castle with a library and an arsenal. And in the third, tourists visit private chambers of the Erz-Duke family. All excursions last about an hour.

Rožmberk nad Vltavou

No doubt, this is the most mysterious castle in the Czech Republic. And it was built in the middle of the thirteenth century by a representative of the noble family of Rozhemberg. His representatives were sometimes heavy, and sometimes even simply eccentric. They then lost their patrimonial nest in cards, then again bought it out with all the truths and crooks. Why does Rozmberk enjoy the glory of the most mysterious castle? In it, the visitor will not find glamorous boudoir and luxuriously furnished room. But here in the surplus of secret passages, narrow corridors, manholes and stairs inside walls and the like. A ghost lives here. Perchta, whose portrait can be seen in the castle, was born in Cesky Krumlov. But she married (against her will) for Jan Liechtenstein, who at that time owned Rozhmberkom. Twenty years of married life, this nobleman plagued the poor thing. Her soul does not know rest even after death. The last time Percht was seen in 1996.

Sternberk

Usually castles of the Czech Republic, photos of which show untouched by time ancient interiors, uninhabited. But in Sternberk you can not only walk through the private chambers of the hosts, but also talk with them. In the castle live the distant descendants of the counts. What is interesting, the tour is led by the owner - Zdenek Sternberk. What is there to do? To live that somehow it is necessary. And to contain a huge castle is very expensive. Therefore, the owner not only graciously shows visitors all the corners of his residence, but also takes orders for the organization of wedding ceremonies. Zdenek Sternberk has a beautiful library, a rich collection of weapons, pipes and ancient engravings.

Bečov nad Teplou

The best castles in the Czech Republic are also available for those who came to the country for treatment. Twenty-five kilometers from the health resort of Karlovy Vary is the town of Bečov nad Teplou. Its only attraction is the castle complex, consisting of an ancient fortress and a beautiful palace. When exactly the first buildings appeared here, it is not known exactly. The Donjon (a residential tower in which the feudal lord with his family lived and his garrison) appeared in the first half of the fourteenth century. Then the chapel was added to it. It is interesting that the altar part in it is not oriented in accordance with the canon: not to the east, but to the north. The most significant treasure of the castle is the reliquary of St. Maurus. This unique jewelry work of the sarcophagus was opened for inspection in 2002. In the oldest part of the dungeon you can see ancient frescoes. In the sixteenth century, the owners began to reconstruct and reconstruct a medieval fortress in the fashion of the High Renaissance. In the eighteenth century, Baroque decor elements were added to it, and in the nineteenth century they added features of romanticism. Alfred Beaufort-Spontini, the owner of Bečov in 1838, bought from the local monastery the relics of St. Maur and placed them in the palace chapel of St. Petra.

Hluboká nad Vltavou

In South Bohemia there are the best castles in the Czech Republic. This is Krumlov and Hluboka nad Vltavou. The distance of one hundred and forty kilometers from Prague is not a barrier for those who want to see beautiful and ancient citadels. The first mention of the Deep-over-Vltava refers to the thirteenth century. True, then it was called Frauenberg (Female Castle), and outwardly very different from the modern one. The fortress changed owners many times, until in the seventeenth century it became the property of the Schwarzenberg family. And in two hundred years the representative of the family, Eleanor, visited England. This trip to Foggy Albion had a huge significance for the castle in the Czech Republic. Because Eleanor Schwarzenberg decided to remake his residence under a copy of Windsor Castle. And you know, the lady put her dream into practice! The Schwarzenbergs lived in the Czech Windsor until 1945. After that, the complex was nationalized and turned into a museum.

Detenice

According to legend, in the eleventh century, the Czech prince Ulrich, hunting in the woods, found the orphans abandoned to the mercy of fate and took them for education. And at the meeting place children ordered to build a village. Later, the castle appeared. He, like a settlement, is called Detenice. This castle of the Czech Republic, like many of its assembled, repeatedly changed the owners. After the nationalization of the fortress of socialist Czechoslovakia, the castle stood in desolation. Spouses Ondrachkov recently rented it, reconstructed it and now accept visitors. It is noteworthy that the castle attracts tourists not only with its medieval interiors, a park and defensive walls, but also a tavern. Yes, here you will be fed with real medieval dishes and in the appropriate entourage!

When to visit castles

Tourists should note that many of the country's open-air attractions are closed from November to early April. But there are exceptions. Which castles of the Czech Republic take visitors in winter? Naturally, these are two metropolitan cities. But in the province there are also many castles open for winter tourists. This is Sikhrov (where the film was shot about Goldilocks), Dobris near Prague, Hluboka nad Vltavou, Klášterec nad Ogro, Loket, Kshivokrat, Lednice, Sternberg, Nelahozeves, Zvirjenice and others.