Karlstjen

Florian, whose grandfather was forced to emigrate from Bohemia to Germany after World Ward II, said Karljsten wasn't to be missed so I was glad had Chris had put it on our itinerary.  The large Gothic castle, built in the 14th century, sits high atop a mountain, a little less than an hour from Prague.

To get inside, we had to take a tour.  As Chris predicted, there wasn't all that much to see.

 Karlstejn is famed for housing the Bohemian crown jewels but they were fake.

Jan Hus again.

Here's what the royal privy looked like.

It's that brown wooden structure hanging off the side of the castle.  No manure required on the grounds directly below.

Karlstejn is more than one structure which has a strategic advantage when retreat from an advancing army is required.  This bridge connects the two main buildings.

The warmest rooms were paneled in wood.  You really could feel the difference as soon as you entered.

There was beautiful lead work in the windows, too.

Despite a few pretty items, neither of us was tempted by the souvenir shop.