Loket Castle

A gem in the countryside

The impressive interiors and courtyards of Loket Castle in west Bohemia combine a charming antiquity with the beauty of the raw medieval period. The medieval mural paintings offer a view of gardens with fruit trees, flowers and birds beyond the walls, and you can also see the collections of arms, porcelain and tin tableware. The chambers are furnished with historical painted furniture, you can see an old Loket pharmacy there, or a real meteorite. It reportedly fell into the courtyard in August 1422 and the famous German poet Johann Wolfgang Goethe was interested in it. The castle prison with a torture chamber is notorious. There are several storeys of cold and wet cells that have been preserved in the original condition from 1822–1948 when the castle was used as a municipal prison.

What to do there

Loket Castle hosts interesting events every year. During the second weekend in August, Loket Castle returns to medieval times with knightly tournaments on horses, dancers and Gothic music, and the regent’s and burgrave’s procession. You will taste food from that time and mead. The first October weekend is full of wine and music at Loket Castle during the popular grape harvest with folk music and dances. And on the second Advent weekend in December, the castle transforms into a magical place. Carols and nativity scenes calm down the everyday hustle and bustle and the marketers will help you choose original Christmas gifts and warm up with Christmas dishes and drinks.

What to see nearby

You will fall in love with this ancient town and castle also thanks to the fact that it is surrounded by several other beautiful places. They include the popular spa of Karlovy Vary and the nearby Svatošské Rocks, a rock town in the valley of the Ohře River. Or the chateau in Bečov nad Teplou, situated about 20 km from Loket and made for lovers of historical sites and mysteries. It is where the Reliquary of St. Maurus is kept. The rare artefact, the value of which is compared to that of the Czech crown jewels, comes from the first quarter of the 13^th century.