3–5 days · 200km · czech-republic
Bohemia Castle Road
Prague to Český Krumlov — Europe's densest castle landscape in the heart of Central Europe
Bohemia and Moravia contain one of Europe's most remarkable concentrations of castle heritage per square kilometre. The Bohemia Castle Road connects Prague — the world's largest ancient castle complex — southward through the dense Gothic and Baroque landscapes of Central Bohemia and South Bohemia to Český Krumlov, whose medieval town and castle loop form one of Europe's best-preserved historic landscapes. The route passes through a landscape that shaped European history: the Gothic hill castles of Charles IV's empire-building; the Hussite defensive towers of the 15th century; the Baroque palaces of the Schwarzenberg and Rosenberg dynasties. Karlštejn, built to guard the Holy Roman Crown Jewels, sits 30km from Prague on a limestone ridge above the Berounka river. Český Krumlov, at the route's southern end, is the region's crowning glory: a town so perfectly preserved that its medieval geometry reads as clearly today as it did in 1400. Prague is the natural base for the northern section (Karlštejn is a 45-minute train ride). České Budějovice or Český Krumlov town itself work as bases for the southern castles. The entire route is driveable in 3 days; 5–7 days allows exploration of the numerous secondary castles, spa towns and Bohemian villages between the main sites.
