Start your tour of Czech castles with the most impressive of them - Prague Castle (Hradčany Castle). This monumental UNESCO-listed complex was built in the 9th century during the reign of Prince Bořivoj of the Přemyslid dynasty. Covering an area of more than 70,000 square meters, it is considered the largest castle in the world. Its history is also the history of Czech statehood - it has served as the seat of Czech kings, emperors of the Holy Roman Empire, and is now the official residence of the Czech president.

When visiting Prague Castle, be sure to see the Gothic St. Vitus Cathedral, whose construction began in the 14th century during the reign of Charles IV, but was not completed until 1929. Inside is the Chapel of St. Wenceslas with the tomb of the patron saint of Bohemia and the crown of the Czech kings. The Old Royal Palace impresses with the Vladislav Hall with its impressive vaulted ceiling, while the Golden Street, full of colorful houses where the castle's craftsmen lived, takes you back in time to medieval Prague. According to local legend, one of these cottages was said to be home to a famous alchemist who tried to turn metals into gold on behalf of Emperor Rudolf II.

Just 30 kilometers from Prague rises the majestic Karlštejn, a castle founded in 1348 by Emperor Charles IV as a treasury of coronation jewels and holy relics. Situated on a limestone hill, this Gothic fortress is an excellent example of medieval defensive architecture. It took 17 years to build and employed the best craftsmen and artists of the era. The most fascinating place in the castle is the Chapel of the Holy Cross, where the imperial insignia was kept. Its walls are decorated with 129 paintings by Master Theodoric, depicting saints and prophets. This is the largest surviving medieval painting series in Europe.

There is an interesting legend connected with Karlštejn - it is said that during the Hussite siege in the 15th century, the castle defenders threw dead horses over the walls to convince the attackers that they had an excess of food and were not going to surrender. The fortel succeeded, and the Hussites abandoned the siege. The castle has never been taken by force, a testament to its excellent strategic position and solid construction.

Completing the royal triad is the fairytale Český Krumlov Castle, located on a rocky promontory surrounded by the meanders of the Vltava River. This castle complex, the second largest in the Czech Republic (after Prague Castle), was built in the 13th century and for centuries was the seat of powerful families: Vítkovce, Rožmberk, Eggenberg and Schwarzenberg. The castle impresses with its mix of Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque styles, and its five-story Mantle Bridge is a unique example of architecture linking different parts of the complex.

The castle's most valuable treasure is its perfectly preserved Baroque theater from 1767, complete with original stage machinery, costumes and decorations. This is one of the best-preserved Baroque theaters in the world, where candlelight performances are still held. During the tour, you can also admire the Masquerade Hall, with illusionist paintings depicting the participants of a masked ball - some of the characters are actually paintings, while others are three-dimensional figures, creating a fascinating optical effect.

According to local legend, the ghost of the 'White Lady' - Perchta of Rožmberk, who was forced to marry against her will - appears in the castle. Before her death, her husband asked for forgiveness, which she refused. Now her ghost haunts the castle, and the color of her gloves foreshadows future events - white means good news, black foretells misfortune.

The State Chateau of Hluboká (The State Chateau of Hluboká) is a true neo-Gothic gem, often referred to as the 'Czech Windsor' due to its striking resemblance to a British royal residence. Located picturesquely on the Vltava River near České Budějovice, the castle has undergone a fascinating transformation over the centuries. Its history dates back to the 13th century, when King Přemysl Ottokar II erected a Gothic fortress on the site. Over the centuries, the castle changed owners and architectural styles until, in the 19th century, the Schwarzenberg family decided to undertake a major reconstruction in the Romantic Neo-Gothic style, modeling it on Windsor Castle.

Hluboká's interiors are stunning in their opulence and splendor. Particularly impressive is the Library with more than 12,000 volumes and the Hunting Room with its collection of hunting trophies and carved wooden panels. The Winter Garden Hall is a true paradise for botany lovers - full of exotic plants and beautiful views of the surrounding landscaped park. Few people know that the castle also houses a private chapel where, according to legend, the ghost of the last Duchess Schwarzenberg appears every anniversary of her death, playing the melody of her favorite song on the organ.

The 58-acre English park surrounding the castle is as impressive as the building itself. Designed with extreme attention to detail, it offers picturesque paths, ponds, exotic trees and romantic corners. It's the perfect place for a leisurely stroll after exploring the castle's chambers.

A completely different character is found at Křivoklát Castle, an austere Gothic fortress located in the heart of dense forests, some 40 kilometers west of Prague. Built in the 13th century by the Přemyslid dynasty, it served as a royal hunting lodge and a prison for the noble. Its massive walls and massive Great Tower attest to the defensive nature of the structure, which was intended to protect the important trade route leading to Prague.

One of the castle's most valuable rooms is the Royal Hall with its richly decorated Gothic star vault and stained glass windows. Also worth seeing is the castle chapel with original Gothic frescoes and the library with a collection of medieval manuscripts. The castle's dungeons hide a dark history - it was here that the alchemist Edward Kelley, who claimed to be able to turn metals into gold, was imprisoned and tortured.

There is a fascinating legend associated with Křivoklát about the 'Black Knight' - the ghost of one of the prisoners who died in the castle dungeons. It is said that on moonless nights you can hear the clatter of his armor in the castle's corridors. Another mysterious inhabitant of the castle is the owl, which, according to local beliefs, brings good luck to those who see it during a visit.

Rožmberk Castle, located picturesquely on the banks of the Vltava River in southern Bohemia, is one of the oldest castles in the country, dating back to the 13th century. It originally belonged to the powerful Vítkovce family, and then for more than 300 years was the seat of the Rožmberk family - one of the most powerful noble families in Czech history. The castle consists of two parts: The Old Castle (Horní hrad) from the 13th century, which has been preserved only in fragments, and the New Castle (Dolní hrad) from the 16th century, which can be visited.

Rožmberk's interiors impress with authentic furniture, paintings and everyday objects from various eras. Of particular interest is the Knights' Hall, with its collection of medieval weapons and armor and portraits of members of the Rožmberk family. The Baroque Hall features richly decorated ceilings and original 18th-century furniture. The castle library contains rare old prints and manuscripts, and the castle tower offers a breathtaking view of the Vltava valley.

Rožmberk Castle is associated with the legend of the 'White Lady' - Perchta of Rožmberk (the same one who is also said to haunt Český Krumlov). According to local legends, her spirit appears to warn of impending misfortunes or herald joyful events. Interestingly, the castle houses a portrait of Perchta, where the figure's eyes are said to follow visitors no matter where in the room they are.

Kokořín Castle is a true gem hidden in the heart of the picturesque Kokořínsko region, some 40 kilometers north of Prague. Erected on a sandstone rock in the 14th century by Hynek Berek of Dubé, this Gothic fortress fell into disrepair for centuries, only to be painstakingly restored in the spirit of romantic historicism in the early 20th century. Today it is an excellent example of Czech defensive architecture, blending harmoniously with the surrounding landscape.

Kokořín Castle is distinguished by its distinctive tall cylindrical tower, which offers a breathtaking view of the surrounding forests and rock formations. The castle's interiors have retained their authentic medieval character - you can admire the original Gothic vaults, stone portals and reconstructions of medieval furniture and furnishings. Of particular interest is the Knights' Hall with a collection of weapons and armor, and the castle chapel with Gothic frescoes.

There is a fascinating legend associated with the castle about the 'Maiden of Kokořín' - the daughter of the castle owner who fell in love with a poor knight. When her father objected to the union, the girl threw herself from the castle tower. It is said that on moonless nights you can hear her cry carried by the wind. Another interesting fact is that the castle was considered cursed for a long time - in 1595 Emperor Rudolf II issued a decree forbidding its reconstruction, leaving it in ruins for more than 300 years.

The area around Kokořín Castle is a paradise for lovers of nature and active recreation. The Kokořínsko Nature Reserve delights with its unique rock formations, deep gorges and dense forests. Numerous hiking and biking trails allow you to discover the hidden treasures of the region, including mysterious sandstone caves and medieval houses carved into the rocks.

Of a completely different nature is the Lednice Palace, a neoclassical gem located in southern Moravia, close to the Austrian border. This impressive palace and park complex, listed by UNESCO, was the summer residence of the princes of the Liechtenstein family, who over the centuries transformed it into a true masterpiece of architecture and garden art.

The palace in its present form was created in the 19th century, when Prince Alois II of Liechtenstein had it rebuilt in the English Neo-Gothic style. The interiors are stunning in their splendor and richness of decoration - particularly impressive is the main staircase with carved balustrades and the Blue Room with neo-Rococo furniture. A unique element of the palace is the orangery - a huge greenhouse 92 meters long, where exotic plants from all over the world were grown.

The greatest treasure of Lednice, however, is the 200-acre landscape park surrounding the palace - a true masterpiece of garden art. Designed as an English romantic garden, it is full of picturesque corners, artificial lakes, exotic trees and architectural surprises. The most famous of these is the Minaret, a 60-meter-high Moorish-style tower that offers a panoramic view of the entire palace complex and its surroundings. It is the tallest building of its kind in non-Islamic countries and a true architectural curiosity.

Another fascinating feature of the park is the artificial ruin of John's Castle (Janohrad), a romantic structure built in the early 19th century as a place for hunting and banquets. Also worth seeing are the Temple of Apollo, the Temple of the Three Graces and the Roman Aqueduct - all of which were built as romantic architectural 'whims', intended to add variety to the landscape and excite walkers.

Comparing all eight castles, it is clear that each offers unique experiences and attractions. Prague Castle and Český Krumlov are sprawling complexes, ideal for a full-day visit, while smaller sites like Kokořín and Rožmberk can be visited in a few hours. In terms of accessibility, castles closer to Prague (Prague Castle, Karlštejn, Křivoklát) are more easily accessible to tourists, while those farther away (Lednice, Český Krumlov) require a longer journey, but compensate with smaller crowds of visitors. Ticket prices vary - the cheapest are admissions to smaller castles like Kokořín (average price), the most expensive to popular attractions like Prague Castle and Hluboká (expensive). For families with children, the most attractive castles will be those offering additional attractions - Hluboká with its extensive park or Lednice with its romantic buildings in the garden.