Description of the attraction
Right in the center of Karlovy Vary, above the openwork Market Colonnade, you can see the high castle tower - the only surviving part of the castle of the Czech king Charles IV.
The Gothic castle was erected in the most convenient place in the city - on a rock formation raised above the Teplaya River in 1358. The tower offered a magnificent view of the surroundings. It was from here that the founder of the city of Karlovy Vary, Charles IV, loved to observe places dear to his heart.
The castle on the rock was often used by Czech kings as a residence. The royal court stayed here, coming to hunt in the local forests. The castle delighted its owners for about two and a half centuries, and then was destroyed by a grand and merciless fire that occurred in 1604. It was decided not to restore the fortress destroyed by the elements, because it would have required too much money, but the situation was different with the tower. The tower was a strategic observation point, an excellent observation deck, so it was rebuilt in the Baroque style.
The tower was also used as a tribune for delivering welcoming speeches in honor of important people who visit the city on official visits.
You can climb to the foot of the tower using a special elevator, which can be reached through the colonnade. There is an observation deck, from where you can see almost all of Karlovy Vary and take great pictures.
In the Castle Tower itself, there is a fashionable restaurant serving Czech cuisine. The cozy atmosphere of the old castle will be a chic addition to a hearty dinner.
