6. Karlstejn castle and Konopiste chateau

Karlstejn Castle was built by Emperor Charles IV from 1348 to 1357 to safeguard the crown jewels of the Holy Roman Empire. The most unique is the Chapel of Holy Cross with walls inlaid by semi-precious stones and gold and 128 panel paintings of saints from the workshop of Master Theodorik. These panel paintings make one of the largest collections of the Gothic panel paintings in the world.

Konopiště Castle/Chateau was founded as a gothic fortress in the end of the 13th century and during the course of centuries it was several times rebuilt. In the end of 19 century the castle became the property of Archduke Franz Ferdinand d'Este, and it became to be his hunting-lodge. Several chambers were decorated with the collections inherited from the Modena's archdukes of d'Este.

Walking on flat surfaces – smooth and cobblestones, and up the hills.

Admisson:
Karlstejn: Tour 1 - Tour 1 includes historical interiors of the Imperial palace and the lower floors of the Marian tower with valuable equipment of 14th to 19th centuries. (Courtier's Hall, Hall of Knights with chapel of St. Nicolas, Chapter Deanery, Royal Bedroom, Audience and Banquet Halls, Hall of Ancestors, Treasury and Jewels Hall, former castle prison). - 270 CZK adults, 180 CZK students, 20 CZK children under 6. 50-60 minutes.
Note: reservation fee in advance CZK 20,-/1person
Tour 2 – Tour 2 passes through the Marian and Great towers and offers visit to the Church of Our Lady, Chapel of St. Catharine, former Sacristy, suspension wooden bridge, museum of lapidary, castle's picture gallery, library with exposition of the last reconstruction of the castle as well as the Holy Cross Chapel. - 300 CZK adults, 200 CZK students, free for children under 6.
+ reservation fee in advance CZK 30,-/1person 100 - 110 minutes.
Note: The Tour II including the Chapel of the Holy Cross will be open from 1st May 2011 till 6th November 2011.
Note: reservation fee in advance CZK 30,-/1person
Konopiste: Tour 1 (Representative and guest rooms with a hunting corridor) - 200 CZK for adults and 130 CZK for students. 50 minutes.
Tour 2 (oldest part of the castle, armors, chapel, lift, library) - 200 CZK for adults and 130 CZK for students. 55 minutes.
Tour 3 (Private living rooms of the Frantisek Ferdinand's family on the 3rd floor installed after authentic documentation) - 300 CZK for adults and 200 CZK students. It must be booked ahead, reservation fee 20 CZK pp. 60-70 minutes.
Note: reservation fee in advance CZK 20,-/1person