Křivoklát Castle sits deep in the Křivoklátsko Forest as one of the oldest and least touristy royal castles in Bohemia — a 12th-century hunting retreat, state prison, and royal residence of extraordinary Gothic character, its setting in protected woodland making it as much a nature destination as a historical one.
What to see
- The Gothic chapel — a castle chapel of exceptional quality, with its vaulted interior and carved details among the finest Romanesque-Gothic work in Bohemia
- The medieval library — one of the few surviving castle libraries with original volumes still in situ
- The Great Tower — climb for panoramic views over the densely forested Křivoklátsko landscape
What to do
- The surrounding Křivoklátsko Biosphere Reserve offers marked hiking trails through the protected forest directly from the castle grounds
Take note
- Křivoklát is considerably less crowded than Karlštejn — visiting in the afternoon after Karlštejn gives the most relaxed experience