Karlštejn Castle Audio Guide
Explore Karlštejn Castle with Stanza's GPS-triggered offline audio guide.
About the Tour
Karlštejn Castle is a Gothic castle in the Czech Republic, founded by Charles IV. It served as a place for safekeeping the Imperial Regalia, Bohemian Crown Jewels, holy relics, and other royal treasures.
What you will hear
Burgrave House and the Courtyard
The first major courtyard, where the castle's administrative life happened and where the brutal Hussite Siege was resisted.
Siege of Karlštejn
The 1422 Hussite Siege challenged these walls with a gruesome tactic: biological warfare. Attackers launched filth and carcasses into the castle, yet the defenses and the crown jewels remained secure.
The Secret Well Tower
A critical engineering stop featuring the 70-meter deep well that was once a state secret and the treadwheel mechanism used to draw water.
The Secret Water Supply
Dark legends surround the creation of the castle's well. It is said the miners were silenced to protect the secret of the reservoir, which could hold enough water to last for months.
The Imperial Palace Exterior
Introduction to the main residential building of Charles IV, highlighting the transition from defensive to palatial architecture.
The Gothic Revival Facade
The sharp stone edges and precise window shapes visible today are the work of 19th-century architect Josef Mocker. He sought to restore the castle to a 'purist' Gothic ideal.
The Knight Hall and Royal Quarters
Exploring the interior of the palace, including the grand hall where the court gathered and the private rooms of the Emperor.
The Heraldic Armoire
This historic cabinet features vibrant painted coats of arms representing the noble families who protected the castle. These heraldic symbols were essential markers of status and lineage in the medieval court.
The Skyway Connection
The elevated bridge connecting the Palace to the Marian Tower, illustrating the castle's unique security layout.
Skyway Between Imperial Palace and Marian Tower
This arched stone bridge is a physical threshold between the royal living quarters and the sacred towers. It highlights the castle's design as a series of increasingly exclusive security zones.
Want to hear the rest?
Download the Stanza app to unlock all 26 stops and full GPS-guided navigation.