The Karlovy Vary Region is a region of stories and a place where kings, noble families, and master craftsmen have left their mark. Let yourself be inspired and uncover the secrets of castles or visit one of the blooming chateau parks. Below, we offer you some unmissable historical gems of this beautiful region.

 

Loket Castle

The royal Loket Castle with its rich 800-year history stands just within sight of Karlovy Vary (Carlsbad). From afar, you will be enchanted by its fairy-tale scenery, where the magical atmosphere of the castle is enhanced by the Ohře River flowing around the rock massif on which this Gothic gem was built.

During the tour, we were particularly enchanted by the Gothic wall paintings, which were rediscovered at the end of the 20th century. Created using the secco technique—applying a mixture of egg tempera and linseed oil onto dry, smooth plaster—the paintings depict views of Loket's gardens as well as various figurative motifs.

The sightseeing tour also introduced us to period porcelain, historical weapons and a prison with an exhibition on medieval torture.

It should be added that here you will also find the oldest documented Czech meteorite, which fell on our territory. According to local legend, an evil burgrave is enchanted into this piece of metal—he was allegedly struck by lightning in the field while shouting at his subjects.

It is certainly worth mentioning that Loket became, for a time, a refuge for Queen Eliška Přemyslovna and her son Václav, later the Holy Roman Emperor Charles IV.

Address: Zámecká 67, Loket

 

Our tip:

The castle hosts many cultural events throughout the year, so we recommend keeping an eye on its website as well.

 

Parking:

Parking in Loket, especially during the season, can be quite challenging. Below, we therefore provide an overview of parking lots.

 

Cheb Castle

The dominant feature of the town of Cheb is a majestic castle that offers visitors not only a glimpse into ancient history but also two exceptional treasures. The first is a mysterious black tower, and the second is a Romanesque-Gothic chapel, one of the most beautiful in the Czech Republic, whose architecture will truly amaze you.

Want to learn more about the castle and the town? Read our detailed article Cheb: a thousand-year-old town with a rich history and its four best stops, where you will find plenty of additional tips for unforgettable experiences.

Address: Dobrovského 21, Cheb

 

Castle Seeberg

The Romanesque-Gothic Castle Seeberg, one of the landmarks of the spa triangle region (Karlovy Vary, Mariánské Lázně, and Františkovy Lázně), was built in the 12th century during the German colonization of the Cheb region as a fortified residence. The name of the castle also suggests that it was built on an elevation above what is now a vanished lake.

It belongs to the so-called ministerial castles, which, as the name implies, were constructed by ministeriales. These were a social class of unfree servants of feudal nobility, tasked with administrative, economic and military functions in the region.

The unguided tour introduced us not only to the history of this residence but also revealed the diverse styles of 19th-century interior design and the fascinating story of Cheb’s executioner Karl Huss.

In the spaces of the half-timbered Baroque barn and other adjacent farm buildings, we then had the opportunity to learn about life in the 19th-century Cheb countryside.

If you visit the castle in summer, don’t miss the traditional Historical Fair or the Wine Festival. Just check out the cultural events in the town of Františkovy Lázně.

Address: Ostroh 18, Poustka-Cheb 2

 

Parking:

Free parking is located directly in front of the castle.

 

Our tip:

Before departure, we went to freshen up by a small romantic working mill with a pond and a spring of drinking water, located to the left below the entrance to the castle grounds.

 

Kynžvart Chateau

Kynžvart Chateau, whose collection includes the alleged war mace of Jan Žižka, is nestled in a magnificent English park. This exquisite landscape work, rich in ornamental trees, statues, and water features, ranks among the largest chateau parks in the Czech Republic.

Other structures in the complex include the chateau brewery, a waterwheel mill, a neo-Gothic chapel and a Chinese-style viewing gazebo.

The most famous owner of the chateau and estate was undoubtedly the Austrian chancellor and skilled diplomat, Prince Klemens Wenzel Nepomuk Lothar von Metternich, who played a key role in the defeat of Napoleon Bonaparte. The chancellor established a luxurious summer residence here in the style of Viennese classicism, designed to be worthy of an imperial visit. To this day, the place boasts extensive and valuable collections. Notable highlights include the prayer book of French Queen Marie Antoinette, which she used before her execution, and the writing desk of Alexandre Dumas.

Address: Kynžvart State Chateau, Lázně Kynžvart

 

Our tips for trips in the vicinity of the chateau:

Also worth visiting is the nearby town of Lázně Kynžvart with its spa district, which boasts a beneficial climate and mineral springs. We tasted the Richard Spring that is named after Richard Metternich, the son of chancellor Metternich, who contributed to the development of the local spa industry. The spring is lightly mineralized and is even suitable for daily drinking. No wonder there was a line for it. But don’t let that discourage you—we only waited about 5 minutes.

Address: Lázeňská, Lázně Kynžvart

Hiking enthusiasts are sure to enjoy a walk to the romantic ruins of Kynžvart Castle, founded by the Přemyslid King Wenceslas I to guard the border and the Cheb trade route.

We set off to the castle via the Fairy Tale Trail, which is primarily designed for children, but adults can also learn something new about the local area at each of the carved wooden fairy tale figures. The Fairy Tale Trail starts opposite the Orlík spa house and ends at Kynžvart Castle.

 

Parking tips:

There is a paid parking lot next to the chateau. We left our car there after the chateau tour and walked through the natural landscape to the spa centre (approx. 2 km).

You can also park in the centre of Lázně Kynžvart, near the Fairy Tale Trail, at the Lázeňská parking lot.

 

Ostrov Chateau

The chateau will enchant you with its Renaissance charm, bestowed upon it by the Schlicks—a powerful Bohemian family who ruled the Loket and Cheb regions in the 16th century. Their wealth came from the silver mines of the Ore Mountains and the privilege to mint their own coins. In fact, their Joachimsthalers inspired the name of the American dollar.Do you want to uncover more secrets of this place? Read our article Ostrov: a hidden gem of the Karlovy Vary region.

Address: Jáchymovská 1, Ostrov