Konepruske Cave

By going just 30 km southwest from Prague you can be surrounded by a landscape full of dramatic cliffs, deep canyons and steep rock walls that feel more like somewhere in the American Wild West than in central Europe. The charm of this place is in large part due to the Koněpruske Caves, the longest and certainly one of the most famous cave systems in the country.

The cave system became exposed in 1950 when a demolition project blew through a wall on the southwestern side, exposing a kingdom long hidden in darkness and silence.  The caves were explored and revealed several stalactite halls, a small lake and even the imprints of human feet. Another special find in the area of the caves is called Koněpruské Rosette which was used in the Middle Ages as a secret money forging workshop where falsified "silver" Hussite pennies where created.

Sightseeing Tour

There is a direct path from the parking lot to the entrance of the caves. You will then be led to the  Spallanzani cave which will amaze you right away with its high vaulted ceiling and stalactite formation called Eternal Desire. Next is a walk through the hall U Labutí where your eyes will rest on another beautiful formation - Stalactite Pipe Organ. Reportedly, the first guides here played  simple tunes on stalactites to the delight of visitors. The tour continues into a hall named after the quarry master Mareš, one of those to whom we owe credit for the rediscovery of Koněpruske Caves. Around another corner and you enter Proškův Dome, certainly the most beautiful space in Koněpruske, which boasts the so-called Koněprusy Roses. It also the findings of a number of skeletal remains of animals and even a few remnants of prehistoric women. The tour comes to an end by climbing the spiral staircase to the upper floor of caves.

Krivoklat

One of the oldest and most important castles of the Czech kings, it was shaped by Přemyslids, Luxembourgs and Jagiellons and a rebuilding that occured int he 19th century. It has a number of unique interiors like a late-Gothic chapel decorated with interesting sculptures and paintings, or Kings Hall with a magnificent star vault. You can also visit the library with 52 thousand books, a torture chamber and tower with a lookout deck and hunting collections.

Konopiste

Originally a 13th century castle based on French churches, today it is a chateau inherently connected with its last nobleman owner Franz Ferdinand d'Este, archduke of Austria around the turn of the 20th century. On guided tours you can view a collection of weapons and hunting trophies and visit the guest and private rooms of Franz Ferdinand. The castle has also a museum and shooting range and a nearby Rose Garden that's worth a visit. In the nearby village of Netvorice you can visit a museum of the Java motorcycle factory.

Karlstejn

Karlstejn Castle was founded in 1348 by the Czech king and Holy Roman Emperor Charles IV. The castle offers two tours; the first covers the area of ​​the Imperial Palace and the treasure and jewelry in the Marian Tower, the second circuit leads to the Great Tower with the famous Cross Chapel with panel paintings by Master Theodoric. It is the largest collection of Medieval paintings from one workshop in the world.

Karlstejn served as the place to store royal treasures, holy relics and imperial crown jewels. At the beginning of the Hussite Wars, the Czech coronation jewels were brought to the Karštejn for safe keepin and were kept here for nearly 200 years. The castle was reconstructed in 1480 in the late Gothic style and in the last quarter of the 16th century in Renaissance style. Thankfully, during the latest reconstruction in the  19th century,  in the spirit of purism the castle gained its current appearance.

The buildings were created in a step-like order, from the lowest lying Forecastle, Well Tower and Burgrave Palace continuing up to the majestic five-storey Imperial Palace and the Marian Tower. On the top of the rocky promontory the monumental 60 meter high Great Tower with its system of fortification stands.

Karlstejn is located about an hour's drive (33km) from Prague. If you decide to visit Karlstejn it is recommended to combine the tour with a visit to the nearby beautiful natural sight of Koněpruské Cave.