KARLŠTEJN CASTLE

The castle was founded in mid-14th century Charles IV chiefly as a stronghold intended to house Imperial coronation jewels and valuable holy relics which the monarch collected passionately. The castle is open for the public all round the year.

CHATEAU KONOPIŠTĚ

Charming hunting chateau with fascinating collections of historical weapons, furniture and hunting trophies. Originally a Gothic castle dating back to about 1300. Seat of the Benešovci clan. Konopiště became in the year 1887 property of the later successor to Austrian throne, Franz Ferdinand d'Este, who was assassinated in Sarajevo in 1914.

ČESKÝ ŠTERNBERK CASTLE

A castle founded about 1241; rebuilt several times. In the 18th century extended by the Lower Chateau and chateau park. Collection of 17th century engravings.

KŘIVOKLÁT CASTLE

Gothic Royal Castle - former property of royal families - the Schwarzenbergs, Wallensteins, Fürstenbergs, located approx. 50 km west of Prague. Worth seeing are the Knights' Hall, late Gothic paintings, sculptures, and the Fürstenberg family portrait gallery.

TEREZÍN (Concetration camp)

A town near Litoměřice at Ohře River, founded in 1780 in a checkerplate pattern by Emperor Josef II as late Baroque fort. During World War II was the town converted into a Jewish Ghetto (160,000 prisoners were interned here, 36,000 died). In the Small Fortress was a concentration camp.

LIDICE

A modern agricultural community with large arden of roses brought from all the world. Today, all but nothing seems to remind of the tragedy this small miner village experienced during World War II. After the Deputy Reich Protector Reinhard Heydrich was assassinated by Czechoslovak commandos sent from Britain, Lidice was burnt down and destroyed by SS troops on June 9, 1942. 173 men and boys were shot, and the women and children were deported to Ravensbrück concentration camp. A monument recalling the Lidice tragedy was erected on the site.

MĚLNÍK

Mělník, popular among Prague people as a destination of their outings, used to be a Royal Town in the Middle Ages, and, since the time of Charles IV, a town which the Bohemian sovereigns bequeathed to their dowager Queens as a source of income. Standing on a high headland overlooking the confluence of the Elbe and Vltava, there is a chateau which is the result of extensions of a Gothic castle. The town of Mělník is also an ancient wine production center with a tradition lasting for a millenium. Mělník vineyards produce fine-flavored grapes which provide the basis for excellent Mělník wine, very alike to its French counterparts. There are wine-tasting events in the chateau restaurant taking place.

KUTNÁ HORA

An ancient mining town renowned for the white Prague groschen minted here. The primary mining community became a Royal Town in late 13th century, and throughout the Middle Ages, Kutná Hora was he second most important town in Bohemia after Prague. Kutná Hora can boast many medieval monuments, e.g. the magnificent St. Barbara Church (14th century), the so-called Italian Court (Vlašský dvůr) founded in late 13th century. The illustrious silver groschen was minted here under the supervision of Italian masters. At nearby Sedlec is the Gothic graveyard Chapel of All Saints (14th century) renowned for its ossuary.

ORLÍK CHATEAU

A Gothic castle dating back to the 13th century, extended in the 15th century. Since 1802 the residence of the younger branch of the Schwarzenbergs. In mid-19th century rebuilt into a Neo-Gothic chateau (architect B. Grueber). Interiors containing family collections (a fine collection of rifles dating from the 17th to the 20th century), and the museum of the Schwarzenberg family.

ZVÍKOV CASTLE

A royal castle, built probably during the reign of King Přemysl Otakar I by royal engineers group which also worked in Písek. The castle's oldest part is a prismatic tower called Hlízová to which the royal palace with an inner courtyard and a portico gallery were added during the reign of Přemysl Otakar II. The castle remained in the hands of Bohemian Kings until the 16th century. The last owners were the Orlík branch of the Schwarzenbergs. The castle interiors host an exhibition featuring the estate's history.