Right in the centre of Karlovy Vary, you can see the tall castle tower above the openwork Market Colonnade - the only surviving part of the castle of King Charles IV of Bohemia.
The Gothic castle was erected on the most convenient place in the town - on a rock formation raised above the Teplá River - in 1358. The tower offered a magnificent view of the surrounding countryside. It was from here that Charles IV, the founder of Karlovy Vary, liked to observe the places that were 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 pleased its owners for about two and a half centuries, and then it was destroyed by an enormous and merciless fire in 1604. It was decided not to rebuild the fortress destroyed by the elements because it would have been too costly, but the tower was not. The tower was a strategic observation point and an excellent vantage point, so it was rebuilt in the Baroque style.
The tower was also used as a strategic observation point, a great vantage point, so it was rebuilt in the Baroque style.
The tower was also used as a tribune to deliver welcoming speeches in honour of important people on official visits to the city.
To get to the foot of the tower you can use a special lift, which is accessed through the colonnade. There is a viewing platform where you can see almost all of Karlovy Vary and take excellent pictures.
In the Castle Tower itself there is a fashionable restaurant serving Czech cuisine. The cosy atmosphere of the old castle will be a chic addition to a hearty dinner.
