Photo: Castle Karlstejn Czech Republic

The medieval Karlstejn Castle stands guard above the village of Karlstejn in the Czech Republic, Europe.

When visitors enter the village of Karlstejn in the Czech Republic, 18 miles southwest of Prague, their gaze will immediately turn upward to Karlstejn Castle. In 1348 Karel IV, King of Bohemia and Holy Roman Emperor from 1348 to 1368, commissioned the castle to be built.Karlstejn Castle was to become a treasury - to keep the Crown jewels and priceless reliquaries safe during the Hussite Wars. The construction took seven years to complete with the King supervising much of the work. The Chapel of the Holy Cross, in the heart of Karlstejn Castle was not finished until 1365. The lower walls of the Chapel were covered with semi-precious stones set into gilt stucco. In 1619 the jewels, artifacts and archives were moved to Prague in the Czech Republic.Around 1480 reconstruction in the Gothic style was made on Karlstejn Castle, and again in the late 16th century in a Renaissance mode. Finally, from 1887 to 1899 architect Josef Mocker, transformed the Castle into the neo-Gothic one can see today. ... continue below the picture...

... Actually visitors may have to be content with only viewing the exterior of the Karlstejn Castle in the Czech Republic, as some of the restored rooms are only opened to special guests.Karlstein Castle towering above the village of Karlstein, Czech Republic, Europe