Central Bohemia (Středočeský kraj) encircles Prague with a landscape of medieval castles, limestone gorges, UNESCO heritage towns, and pastoral river valleys. The region holds more castles per square kilometer than almost anywhere in Europe, anchored by the iconic Karlštejn Castle, the silver-mining heritage of Kutná Hora, and the forested wilderness of the Bohemian Karst.
Historical timeline
Key moments that shaped Central Bohemia.
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1
Celtic Boii tribes settle in Bohemia, giving the region its name
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2
Přemyslid dynasty consolidates control over Bohemia
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3
Sázava Monastery founded by Saint Procopius
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4
Silver discovered at Kutná Hora; boom begins
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5
Emperor Charles IV founds Karlštejn Castle as imperial treasury
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6
Jan Hus preaches reform; executed 1415 in Constance; Hussite Wars begin
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7
Habsburg dynasty takes Bohemian throne
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8
Battle of White Mountain; Czech Protestant nobility defeated; Counter-Reformation begins
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9
Archduke Franz Ferdinand assassinated in Sarajevo; he lived at Konopište Castle
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10
Nazis destroy Lidice village in reprisal for assassination of Reinhard Heydrich
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11
Velvet Revolution; Czechoslovakia peacefully regains democracy
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12
Kutná Hora historic centre inscribed as UNESCO World Heritage Site
Historical sites
Places where Central Bohemia's past comes alive.
Karlštejn Castle
Where: Karlštejn, Central Bohemia
Admission: Tour I: Adults CZK 320 (~$14); Tour II (Chapel of Holy Cross): CZK 560 (~$25)
Kutná Hora — UNESCO Historic Centre
Where: Kutná Hora, Central Bohemia
Admission: Free to walk; individual sites CZK 70–200 (~$3–9)
Sedlec Ossuary
Where: Kutná Hora–Sedlec, Central Bohemia
Admission: Adults CZK 120 (~$5); children CZK 60 (~$3)
Czech Silver Museum Hrádek
Where: Kutná Hora, Central Bohemia
Admission: Adults CZK 200 (~$9) including underground mine tour
Konopište Castle
Where: Benešov, Central Bohemia
Admission: CZK 220–300 (~$10–13) per tour circuit
Lidice Memorial and Museum
Where: Lidice, Central Bohemia
Admission: Museum: Adults CZK 90 (~$4); grounds free
Křivoklát Castle
Where: Křivoklát, Central Bohemia
Admission: Adults CZK 220–280 (~$10–12)
Sázava Monastery
Where: Sázava, Central Bohemia
Admission: Adults CZK 100 (~$4); children CZK 50 (~$2)