At Karlštejn, extensive renovations have begun, and new exhibitions will be created

Karlštejn - A major reconstruction has begun at Karlštejn Castle in the Beroun region, costing more than 150 million crowns. The plans include the restoration of the Imperial Palace and the castle's steward's residence, new exhibitions, and a modern visitor center will be created. The castle is expected to remain accessible during the repairs, although visitors should prepare for short-term closures of certain areas. The work is to be completed no later than the end of 2022.

Minister of Culture Lubomír Zaorálek (ČSSD), who symbolically launched the castle's restoration today together with Prime Minister Andrej Babiš (ANO), pointed out that Karlštejn is one of the most visited monuments in the Czech Republic. He expects that after the reconstruction, it will become an even more welcoming and friendly place. "For me, Charles IV is absolutely the greatest Czech and no one will ever surpass him," Babiš recalled the king and emperor who founded the castle.

According to the general director of the National Heritage Institute (NPÚ), Nadi Goryczková, Karlštejn is an iconic monument that has been more "exploited" in recent years than it has received the proper care it deserves. Now, according to Goryczková, it is time to give back to the castle what it provides to visitors.

Karlštejn suffers from hidden ailments and high visitor traffic. The goal of the repairs is to restore the deteriorating areas of the Imperial Palace, the arcaded annex, the rock cellar, and the eastern part of the steward's residence. The utility garden in the southern courtyard and the engineering networks are also set to be reconstructed. A visitor center will be created in the eastern part of the steward's residence, and in the basement, there will be an exhibition dedicated to the castle's origins and past restorations, along with an exhibition on the history of viticulture at Karlštejn. An exhibition on stone masonry elements will be added under the courtyard, with a multifunctional hall and permanent exhibition of carpentry elements in the basement of the Imperial Palace.

Part of the reconstruction is funded by European funds, with the construction restoration alone requiring 128 million crowns. Goryczková is pleased with the significant support from the state budget. She noted that three years ago, when the project was being prepared, construction costs were much lower than they are now. According to her, the reconstruction could not have been realized solely with European money.

The selection process for a construction company was not easy, and the heritage experts had to repeat it. They found a contractor only in the next tender with revised conditions. According to Goryczková, this shows how the construction market in the Czech Republic is growing.

The Gothic castle Karlštejn was founded by Charles IV in 1348. It was built as a place for storing royal treasures, primarily collections of sacred relics and imperial coronation jewels. It is among the most visited monuments in the country. Last year, nearly 215,000 people visited it.