I still remember the first time I was to Venice in Italy. I bought a small plastic gondola thinking to have something typical. Was it true? No, like 99% of souvenirs, it was a Chinese product. And exactly the same thing can happen to you in Prague, as well.

Walking through the historical centre of Prague you can see lots of souvenir shops bur they don’t sell any valuable products. To get something really nice you must know where to go shopping.

Among all the Czech souvenirs I personally love the Moser Glass. Their products are bloody expensive but it doesn’t matter. You are going to buy something you’ll love for the rest of your life. And the other generations will love it, as well.

If you don’t like the glass you might want to buy garnets (typical Czech reddish semi-precious stones). But be careful, the quality of them in the centre of Prague is usually very low. You’d better to take a day trip to Turnov … prices there are much lower and the quality is very high. Btw. the local factory has an online shop as well.

There are plenty of typical products in the Czech Republic and you can buy whatever you like. But, please, do not buy Chinese fakes and other stuff.

I started blogging about Prague and the Czech Republic a year ago, in July 2010. Not in English but in Italian language. In one year I’ve written 150 articles about history, monuments, life in Prague, etc. The old blog is very successful and has become the most visited website about Prague in Italian language.

Firstly, I used to offer only private tours. But after a year I started to have so many requests that I had to change my way of working. Actually I’ve started with a daily city tour in Italian language. It means the people pay a small amount of money per person, I put them on a bus and take them around the city centre of Prague. The city tour is much cheaper then a private guide and, if organized in one language, it still offers a great quality.

Well, guys, once I will reach 1000 visitors a day on this blog, I will start providing the same service in English, as well.

The Karlstejn Castle was designed to protect the imperial crown jewels and many holy relics. So, besides all the beauty, it was a great fortress that could resist to all the enemies. Btw. It was conquered only by the Swedish army at the end of the Thirty-Years War.

The castle was carefully restored at the end of the 19th century (1887-1899) by Josef Mocker. But it didn’t loose anything of its medieval appearance.

The real jewel of the castle is the chapel of the Holy Rood decorated by Mr. Theodoric by gilded stucco, precious stones and 129 painted wooden desks, the largest collection of the Gothic paintings in the world. The vault, fully gilded and decorated with venetian mirrors, reminds the night sky with stars. The visit of the chapel takes part of the 2nd route and must be booked in advance!

The standard visit of the Karlstejn castle takes you to the 1st route. The visitors must join a guided tour, usually in Czech or English language. The guided tours in other languages aren’t guaranteed. The pre booked groups of at least 30 persons can have their own interpreter. No photos and videos are allowed inside the castle.

The 1st route begins in the Imperial Palace and takes you to visit the Knights Hall with the chapel of St. Nicholas which was used by the soldiers protecting the whole area from the thieves. Later you move to the Ancestors‘ Hall with portraits of the Premislids‘ family remembering the Bohemian origins of Charles IV. The frescos from the 14th century were destroyed and now you can see only some newer paintings. There is also the Audience Hall (completely covered with wood) where Charles IV used to meet his guests. And at the end there is his bedroom with the private chapel, as well.

After the visit of the Imperial Palace you move to the Tower of Virgin Mary to see the Karlstejn’s Tresury. Among the relics you can admire a crocodile’s scole which used to be considered as the dragon killed by St. George. There’s also a 2000-years-old gem taken to Prague by Francesco Petrarca as a present for the Emperor’s wife. Coming to the last chamber there are copies of both, the Czech and the Imperial Crowns.

KARLSTEJN CASTLE: #1 TOURIST ATTRACTION OUT OF PRAGUE: After the Velvet Revolution in 1989 the Karlstejn Castle became one of the most visited places in the Czech Republic. Definitely it is a great place to see for those who like the Gothic architecture. But it’s not a must-see especially if you love the noble residences with rich furniture and art collections. You decide what you want to do on your holiday. The travel agents can’t force you to do this excursion. They do that mostly because they are lazy or not enough informed about the Czech Republic.

Entrance fees: 270 CZK (adults), 180 CZK (students, children). For further information about the Karlstejn castle I invite you to see its official website: www.hradkarlstejn.cz. Especially if you are planning to visit the castle in the winter period you’d better to check the opening hours.