Křivoklát Castle

Welcome to Krivoklat Castle, pronounced Krshi-vo-klaht. Nestled deep within the protected forests of central Bohemia, this fortress carries an aura of dark romance and profound historical weight. …

As we stand before the imposing main entrance, direct your attention upward, above the grand archway. You will clearly see two carved letters 'W'. …

We now enter the courtyard facing the Royal Palace. It is here we must discuss the early life of the man who would become the greatest ruler in Czech history, Emperor Charles the Fourth. …

Step into the Great Hall, one of the most magnificent secular Gothic spaces in Central Europe. The sheer scale of this room is breathtaking. …

From the grand public space of the Great Hall, we transition to a space of quiet, intense intellectual pursuit, the Castle Library. In the Middle Ages and the Renaissance, a library was a potent symbol of immense wealth and…

We now approach the infamous Huderka Tower. As you look up at its imposing stone bulk, you are looking at the prison of one of history's most fascinating con artists, the English alchemist Edward Kelley. …

Our final interior exploration takes us down into the dark, damp underbelly of Krivoklat, the State Prison Dungeons. When the Habsburg dynasty took control of Bohemia, they utilized Krivoklat's isolation to house their most…

As we emerge from the shadows of the dungeons and return to the courtyard of Krivoklat Castle, I encourage you to take a moment to process the intense dichotomy of this place. We have seen the soaring Gothic beauty of King…