| Budget Tours:
Europe
>
Czech Republic
>
Prague
|
|
Konopiště and Karlštejn Castles
With
Prague Sightseeing Tours
Departing from
Prague
,
Czech
|
Prices from around $65
Konopiste Chateau, one of the major sights in the neighbourhood of Prague, is situated an enjoyable 45 minutes drive away from the Czech capital. Originally a Gothic Castle in French style, founded in the year 1300, it was modified in the first half of the 16th century into a chateau.
After 1889 it became seat of Franz Ferdinand d´Este, the Habsburg Crown Prince, who had Konopiste modified to its present appearance.
Konopiste gained historical importance, when Franz Ferdinand – shortly before his departure to Sarajevo in June 1914 - held a secret meeting there with the German Emperor Wilhelm, to discuss the Bosnia case. Franz Ferdinand’s subsequent assassination in Sarajevo was leading to the beginning of World War I and changed Europe entirely.
Today the chateau is state-owned.
The interiors are richly decorated with furniture, paintings, glassware and porcelain, as well as Ferdinand’s private items – mainly hunting trophies. Franz Ferdinand could be called a more than passionate hunter. Of highest importance though is the famous d´Este armoury – featuring the largest collection of Renaissance armaments in Europe, including an extensive collection of historical weapons.
Karlštejn is a High Gothic castle founded in 1348, which has a unique position among Czech castles. It was built by Czech King and Roman Emperor Charles IV as a place for safekeeping of the royal treasures, especially Charles''s collection of holy relics and the coronation jewels of the Roman Empire. The first stay of Charles IV in the castle is documented in 1355 when he came to supervise the building works as well as the decoration of interiors, especially the castle chapels.
The construction of the castle was finished in 1365 when the Chapel of the Holy Cross situated in the Great tower was consecrated. At the outbreak of the Hussite wars the castle became the place for safekeeping of the Czech coronation jewels, which were kept here, with the exception of several short-time breaks, for nearly 200 years. The castle was reconstructed in late Gothic style after 1480 and in Renaissance style in the last quarter of the 16th century.
The present appearance of the castle comes from the last reconstruction, which was carried out in the purist neo-Gothic style by architect Josef Mocker at the end of the 19th century. Very impressive is the original step-like order of buildings. From the Well tower and Burgrave''s palace located as the lowest you walk up to the majestic five-storied Imperial palace and further up towards the Marian tower. And finally at the top of the headland stands the monumental 60m high and separately fortified Great tower.
We would like to point out that this excursion is physically more demanding.
++Meeting point: at the Square of Republic (Metro Line B - Namesti Republiky stop)
Departs: 9.00
Duration 9 hours
Not Included: Tour is in English. On request:French, German, Italian, Spanish or Russian.Drinks not included
|
| Tour Details |
| About
Prague Sightseeing Tours
|
| FAQ's For
Prague Sightseeing Tours
|
| Ask A Question |
| Tour Advice |
| Tour Category:
Bus Tours
|
| Fitness Required: Moderate |
| |
| Company :
Prague Sightseeing Tours
|
| Days: 1 |
| Departs :
Prague
|
|
Cheap Accommodation
|
|
|
|
|
| Budget Tours:
Europe
>
Czech Republic
>
Prague
|