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Four Seasons Hotel Prague Celebrates 700th Birthday of Famous Czech King and Holy Roman Emperor Charles IV

Walking tour around Prague sites with the legacy of Charles IV.

Four Seasons Hotel Prague is introducing a new guided walking tour to celebrate the 700th birthday of one of the most famous Czech Kings and Holy Roman Emperor Charles IV (1316-1378)

Chef Concierge Petr Zezula says: "Charles IV, King of Bohemia and Holy Roman Emperor, stands among the most exceptional personalities of Czech and European history. Prague was his chosen city, the beloved crown of his realm; here he created a shining European metropolis widely admired for its beauty. We are pleased to introduce a private guided walking tour to see and remember some of the places he is associated with, including Charles Bridge, Karlštejn Castle and Charles University.“

The guided walking tour is priced at EUR 42 per hour and can be arranged with the Concierge. The tour will be built based on the guest’s interests and can include any of the following sites:

House at Stupart's  - Birthplace of Charles IV

Charles IV lived here upon his return from France in 1333 as Prague Castle at that time was uninhabitable and deserted.  The house was owned by his father Jan of Luxembourg.

Prague Castle

A UNESCO World Heritage site, Prague Castle consists of a large-scale composition of palaces and ecclesiastical buildings of various architectural styles, from the remains of Romanesque-style buildings from the 10th century through Gothic modifications of the 14th century requested by Charles IV.

St. Vitus Cathedral

To many people St. Vitus Cathedral is the highlight of Prague Castle. While the Prague Castle complex houses many buildings, St. Vitus is the one that dominates the skyline wherever one is in the city. Vitus Cathedral is a Gothic masterpiece, and the spiritual symbol of the Czech state. The cathedral was commissioned by Charles IV, and construction began in 1344 on the site of an earlier 10th century rotunda. As well as being the largest and most important temple in Prague, St. Vitus Cathedral has also overseen the coronation of Czech kings and queens.

Crown Jewels

Czech Crown Jewels include the Crown of Saint Wenceslas, the royal orb and scepter, the coronation vestments of the Kings of Bohemia, the gold reliquary cross, and St. Wenceslas' sword. They were originally held in Prague and Karlštejn Castle. Since 1791 they have been stored in St. Vitus Cathedral at Prague Castle. The crown was made for the coronation of Charles IV in 1347, making it the fourth oldest in Europe.

New Town of Prague

The carefully planned New Town was founded by Charles IV in 1348. Twice as large as the Old Town, it was mainly inhabited by tradesmen and craftsmen. During the late 19th century its outer fortifications were demolished and redeveloped to its present appearance.

Charles Bridge

Four Seasons Hotel Prague is located next to the Charles Bridge, a famous historic bridge that crosses the Vltava river in Prague. Its construction started in 1357 under the auspices of King Charles IV, and finished in the beginning of the 15th century.

Charles University

Charles University in Prague is the oldest and largest university in the Czech Republic. Founded in 1348, it was the first university in Central Europe, east of France and north of Italy. Four Seasons concierge recommends visiting Klementinum, the historic complex with stunning baroque library hall, located in Old Town, only 5 minutes walk from the Hotel.

The Hunger Wall

The Hunger Wall is a medieval defensive wall of the Lesser Town of Prague. It was built on Petřín Hill between 1360 and 1362 by order of Charles IV. According to myth, the purpose of the wall was not strategic but to employ and thus feed the poor. Another myth is that Charles IV himself worked on the wall several hours every day "to help his beloved people."

Karlštejn Castle

Four Seasons Hotel Prague is also offering an opportunity to visit Karlštejn, located about 30 kilometres (19 miles) southwest of Prague.  Karlštejn Castle is a large Gothic castle founded 1348 by Charles IV. Above the village of the same name, it is one of the most famous and most frequently visited castles in the Czech Republic.