Location: Loket, Karlovy Vary Region, West Bohemia Map
Constructed: 1230
Loket Castle, known in Czech as Hrad Loket and in German as Burg Elbogen, is a historic fortress located in the town of Loket in the Karlovy Vary Region of the Czech Republic. Perched dramatically on a granite rock outcrop, the castle is surrounded on three sides by a hairpin bend in the Ohře River, which gives the site its name—"Loket" meaning "elbow" in Czech, reflecting the river's elbow-like curve. This strategic position made it nearly impregnable, earning it the nickname "the Impregnable Castle of Bohemia." The castle overlooks a medieval town that developed around its walls, and it is situated approximately 12 kilometers from the famous spa town of Karlovy Vary (also known as Karlsbad). Today, it stands as one of the oldest and most valuable stone castles in the Czech Republic, blending Romanesque, Gothic, and Renaissance elements, and serving as a major cultural and tourist attraction.
The origins of Loket Castle trace back to the 11th or 12th century,
with the earliest structures built in the Romanesque style during the
third quarter of the 12th century. Its founding is attributed either to
Czech Prince Vladislaus I (later King Vladislaus II) or to ministeriales
(imperial officials) under Emperor Frederick I Barbarossa, who
encouraged German settlers in the region. Initially, it served as a
frontier fortress protecting a vital merchant route from Prague to
Plauen and Erfurt, and it was re-annexed by the Czech state to function
as a border stronghold. The first written mention of the surrounding
settlement as a town appears in a 1234 deed, marking its elevation to a
royal town status.
In the 13th century, under King Ottokar II of
Bohemia (r. 1253–1278), the castle underwent significant expansion in
the early Gothic style, including the addition of semicylindrical towers
to its fortifications. It became a refuge for Queen Elisabeth (Eliska)
Přemyslovna during conflicts with her husband, King John of Luxembourg.
Notably, their young son, Prince Wenceslas (later Holy Roman Emperor
Charles IV), was imprisoned here for two months in 1319 at the age of
three—an experience he later described as horrific. Despite this,
Charles IV frequently visited Loket as an adult, classifying it as
inalienable crown property in his 1350 legal code, Maiestas Carolina,
and using it as a royal residence.
The late 14th century saw major
reconstruction under King Wenceslaus IV (r. 1378–1419), which largely
shaped the castle's current form while preserving Romanesque features.
During the Hussite Wars (1419–1434), the castle withstood multiple
sieges by Hussite forces, remaining unconquered. In 1434, it was
mortgaged to Chancellor Kaspar Schlick (also spelled Slik) by Emperor
Sigismund of Luxembourg as a reward for his services. Under the House of
Schlick, one of Bohemia's wealthiest families, the castle was
transformed into a luxurious Renaissance residence and served as their
seat for over a century. This period included conflicts with local
burghers and the addition of late Gothic and Renaissance architectural
elements. However, after the Schlicks' participation in the 1546–1547
revolt against King Ferdinand I and the Habsburgs, the castle was
confiscated. It briefly passed to the Lords of Plauen (1551–1562) before
being granted to Loket's townsmen in 1598 for administrative use.
The
17th century brought turmoil during the Thirty Years' War (1618–1648),
when Loket supported Protestant forces, leading to sieges, economic
devastation, and a plague outbreak. Nobleman Jiří Popel of Lobkowicz
reportedly died in the castle's prison around 1607 or 1613. A
catastrophic fire in 1725 destroyed much of the structure, leaving only
the ground floor and underground levels intact. By 1788, it was
repurposed as a town prison, a conversion completed in 1822, and it
functioned as such until 1948, housing both common criminals and
high-ranking captives. Post-World War II, it fell into disrepair but was
placed under the care of the Ancient Monuments Department in Plzeň in
1968. In 1992, ownership was returned to the town of Loket, where it was
restored and managed by the Loket Castle Foundation (later a common
welfare corporation) as a public heritage site.
In the 19th century,
the castle attracted cultural figures like Johann Wolfgang von Goethe,
who visited on his 74th birthday in 1823, inspiring later restoration
efforts. A monument in the town commemorates his influence.
Loket Castle exemplifies a evolution of architectural styles,
starting with Romanesque foundations from the 12th century,
transitioning to Gothic in the 13th–14th centuries, and
incorporating Renaissance elements in the 16th century. The core
structure includes thick rampart walls (up to 2.5 meters thick) from
before 1230, a polygonal tower, and a rare Romanesque rotunda— the
smallest of its kind in the world, with an inner diameter of just
3.6 meters and walls 75–80 cm thick, dedicated to St. Agnes and
rediscovered in 1966 during excavations. The 26-meter-high Castle
Tower, originally Romanesque, offers panoramic views and features
remnants of a chamber, fireplace, and privy.
Key buildings
include the Margrave's House (rebuilt in the 19th century after the
1725 fire, now housing a porcelain museum), the 15th-century
Burgrave's House, and a 16th-century palace with two wings. The
Eastern Wing features the Ceremonial Hall and Chamber with
17th-century murals, painted lock tiling, and a Late Baroque
allegory of Justice. The District Office displays 15th-century
murals, and the Tower Wing hosts an exposition of historical arms. A
chapel contains frescoes from Wenceslaus IV's reign, depicting a
fruit tree garden (discovered in 1986), while the Gothic and
Renaissance portal is crafted from ochre-colored sandstone.
Underground dungeons preserve medieval torture chambers with
instruments, mannequins, and sound effects for immersive exhibits.
Archaeological finds, such as a Renaissance kitchen from 1528–1536,
add to the site's historical depth.
The castle's fortifications,
including semicylindrical towers and strongholds, underscore its
defensive design, while the surrounding town's colorful painted
houses and Baroque church (with paintings by Petr Brandl) complement
the site.
Loket Castle holds immense historical and cultural significance as a
symbol of Bohemian resilience, having served as a royal residence,
administrative center, dynasty seat, and prison. It stored vital
documents like decrees and legal records during the Middle Ages and was
linked to key figures such as Charles IV and Goethe. Its impregnable
status during wars like the Hussite and Thirty Years' Wars highlights
its military importance.
Legends abound, including tales of the White
Lady ghost haunting the halls, alchemists conducting secret experiments
in the dungeons, and the "Loket Dragon" (Sarkan) allegedly hidden in the
tower. The "Loket Meteorite," a stone in the museum believed to possess
magical powers, ties into local myths. Another legend involves the
statue of Gottstein, a gnome-like figure with a golden beard and club:
touching his beard while making a good wish (and leaving money) grants
it, but touching the club or harboring ill thoughts brings wrath within
a year. There are also unverified claims of Jan Hus being held here.
Culturally, the castle has appeared in several films, including "Casino
Royale" (2006), "The Illusionist" (2006), "The Brothers Grimm" (2005),
"The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe"
(2005), and "Hannibal Rising" (2007), leveraging its Gothic atmosphere.
It is also featured in a 15-minute film about Karlovy Vary.
As of 2025, Loket Castle is fully restored and open to the public, attracting thousands of visitors annually. Managed by the Loket Castle Foundation, it offers guided tours through various expositions, including a porcelain museum (with spa cups, Art Deco sculptures, tea sets, and Baroque vases), historical arms and armor, archaeology displays, former prison cells, and immersive torture demonstrations. The Ceremonial Hall is available for events like weddings, concerts, theater, and medieval feasts. Ongoing projects include roof repairs (which may restrict courtyard access) and the construction of a Creative Cultural Center, relocating the porcelain exhibit to the North Palace and Rotunda Wing. Visitors can climb the tower for views, explore the rotunda, and engage with interactive elements like the torture chamber's sound effects and mannequins. The site emphasizes its heritage value, with entry fees supporting preservation.