Karlštejn Castle: Guardian of the Crown Jewels
A Gothic fortress built to protect the Holy Roman Empire's most sacred treasures
Charles IV's Sacred Vault
Rising dramatically from a limestone hill above the Berounka River, Karlštejn Castle was never intended as a royal residence or military fortress. Charles IV, Holy Roman Emperor and King of Bohemia, built it for a single purpose: to safeguard the imperial crown jewels and the empire's most precious relics. This specialized function shaped every aspect of its design.
Construction began in 1348 and continued for nearly twenty years. Charles personally oversaw the project, which created a ascending series of structures leading to the Great Tower at the summit. Each level brought visitors closer to the holiest spaces, turning the approach into a spiritual journey.
The Chapel of the Holy Cross
At Karlštejn's heart lies the Chapel of the Holy Cross, one of medieval Europe's most extraordinary sacred spaces. The walls are covered with over 2,000 semi-precious stones—jasper, amethyst, agate, and chrysoprase—set in gilded plaster and arranged in crosses. Above this glittering surface hang 129 panel paintings by Master Theodoric, depicting saints and church fathers.
The chapel housed the imperial crown jewels and Charles's collection of holy relics, including pieces of the True Cross and thorns from Christ's crown. The room was designed to overwhelm visitors with a vision of heaven itself—a jeweled vault where earthly treasures merged with celestial glory.
An Emperor's Vision
Charles IV was arguably the most cultured monarch of medieval Europe. He founded Charles University in Prague—Central Europe's first university—collected relics with scholarly passion, and commissioned art and architecture that still defines Czech identity. Karlštejn represented his vision of imperial sanctity made visible.
The castle's layout reflects medieval cosmology. Ascending from the lower courtyard through successive gateways and towers, visitors symbolically rose from the earthly realm toward the divine. The Great Tower, containing the Chapel of the Holy Cross, represented the celestial sphere where God's power legitimized imperial authority.
No Women Allowed
Charles IV decreed that women were forbidden to enter Karlštejn's upper levels—including his own empress. The prohibition reflected medieval beliefs about sacred spaces requiring masculine purity and the practical concern that precious relics needed protection from all potential contamination. This rule remained in force for centuries.
The restriction gave rise to numerous legends about women attempting to breach Karlštejn's defenses. One story tells of Charles's wife hiding in a wine cask to reach the upper castle; another describes noble ladies disguising themselves as pages. Whether any of these attempts succeeded remains a matter of romantic speculation.
Romantic Reconstruction
By the 19th century, Karlštejn had deteriorated significantly from its medieval glory. Between 1887 and 1905, architect Josef Mocker undertook a comprehensive restoration that aimed to return the castle to its imagined Gothic perfection. His work was controversial—critics argued he imposed 19th-century romantic ideals on medieval fabric.
The exterior visitors see today largely reflects Mocker's vision, with steep roofs and pointed towers that may exaggerate the original design. However, the Chapel of the Holy Cross survived largely intact, preserving authentic medieval decoration that restoration efforts elsewhere often destroyed.
Czech National Symbol
Karlštejn holds deep significance for Czech national identity. It represents the golden age of Bohemian power when Prague was the imperial capital and Czech kings were Holy Roman Emperors. The castle appears on everything from beer labels to the 100-koruna banknote, symbolizing Czech heritage and historical prestige.
Today, Karlštejn is one of the Czech Republic's most visited castles, drawing hundreds of thousands of visitors annually. Tours explore the imperial apartments, St. Mary's Tower, and—with advance booking—the magnificent Chapel of the Holy Cross. The original crown jewels long since moved to Prague, but the chapel's beauty remains.
Where Power Met the Divine
Karlštejn Castle embodies the medieval belief that political authority flowed from God through sacred objects. Charles IV built not just a treasury but a shrine where imperial power received divine sanction. The chapel's jeweled walls proclaimed that earthly empire reflected heavenly order—a message still visible in every glittering stone.