Křivoklát Castle

Křivoklát is one of the oldest and most important royal castles in Bohemia, with origins stretching back to the early 12th century when it served as a hunting lodge for Přemysl dynasty princes. The name — meaning 'crooked trunk' — refers to a bent tree that once marked the forest clearing where the castle was built. Its remote setting deep in the Berounka valley, far from any major road, meant it survived the centuries largely unaltered, preserving its Gothic character better than almost any other Czech royal residence.

The castle reached its architectural peak under Charles IV and his son Wenceslas IV in the 14th and 15th centuries. The Royal Palace, Great Tower, and the exceptional Gothic Chapel — containing an original carved altarpiece and rare 15th-century wall paintings — all date from this era. Wenceslas IV used Křivoklát as his preferred retreat, and the castle library he assembled here was one of the finest in medieval Bohemia. The dungeon beneath the Great Tower held some notable prisoners over the centuries, most famously Edward Kelley, the English alchemist who served at the court of Rudolf II before falling from imperial favour.

Today Křivoklát sits at the heart of the Křivoklátsko UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, a 630 km² protected area of ancient mixed forest that represents one of the last intact stretches of Central European lowland forest. The combination of a medieval castle, dramatic river valley scenery, and a network of hiking trails makes it a rare destination that appeals equally to history enthusiasts and outdoor visitors. The train journey from Prague — 85 minutes through the increasingly wild Berounka gorge — is itself part of the experience.

The castle is managed by the National Heritage Institute and is open for guided tours from April to October. Three tour routes of varying length cover different parts of the complex, including the Chapel, Royal Hall, hunting collections, library, and dungeon. The longest route — Tour 3, running May to October — includes the ramparts walkway and the Large Round Tower, offering the best panoramic views over the forested valley below.