Tour T17 - Orlik and Zvikov from Prague

Orlik Castle sits beside the Vltava River on a lush parcel of land that juts out into the water. Built in the 13th Century, the Early Gothic style Orlik Castle underwent major reconstruction in the 19th Century, which resulted in a strange neo-Gothic creation. Orlik was acquired by the Schwarzenberg family in the early 1700s but was confiscated by the communist in the 1940s. Following the end of the Communist Regime the castle reverted back to the Schwarzenbergs. The interior of Orlik Castle was redone in Empire Style and displays armory and the family furnishings. There is also an impressive carved ceiling in the Knights Hall. Zvikov Castle belongs to one of the most important Czech Gothic castles. It towers on a once high rocky promontory over the Vltava and Otava confluence but the valley below the castle was flooded after building the dam so nowadays the castle protrudes above the surface just several meters. Zvikov castle was probably founded by the end of the rule of the king Premysl Otakar I. (died in 1230).

The trip includes visits to Zvikov castle and Orlik castle.

About the tour types, vehicles and payment conditions

Orlik and Zvikov from Prague	Limousine (?)		Mini-van (?)
	CZK	EUR	CZK	EUR
Change the guiding language (if available): EnglishJapaneseCzechRussianSpanish
English-speaking driver only (?)	7265	285	7805	307	Order
English-speaking driver-escort (?)	8275	325	8815	346	Order
Driver and English-speaking guide (?)	11305	444	11850	465	Order
Note: * Orlik castle is open from April 1 until October 31, except for Mondays * Zvikov castle is open from May 1 until September 30, except for Mondays & in April and October during the weekends * It takes about 1.5 hours to reach Orlik and Zikov from Prague

The rates are per vehicle, not per person.

Tour list | More about Orlik | More about Zvikov

Sightseeing at Orlik castle

Orlik castle was built in the 13th century. It was remodeled in the years 1849 - 1860 by the architect B. Grueber in the Neo-Gothic style. To the castle belongs Castle Park (180 hectares). The Small Empire Hall, The Big Empire Hall and The Teska-Court are very interesting. In The Small Empire Hall are portraits of The House of Schwarzenberg. In The Big Empire Hall are furnishings from the Napoleon's time. It's the time, when the builder of the junior's line of the family worked as an Austrian ambassador in Paris. In the Teska Court there are magnificent exposition of the Czech wood-carving master Jan Teska and Havana's ceramic tile stove, and collection of weapons with ornamentation, gifts for Napoleon and the Russian czar, and 18 000 books in the library and about 300 valuable's fire-arms.

The last important constructional changes of Orlik castle date from 1849 - 60, when architect B. Grueber gave the facade of Orlik castle its present Neo-Gothic appearance. Later on, the 180-hectare park was finished, which Field-Marshal Karl of Schwarzenberg and his wife Maria Anne started to lay out at the beginning of the 19th century.

In the northwestern direction from the Orlik castle, a family vault was built in 1861 - 64. In 1960, the construction of Orlik Dam was completed, raising the level of the River Vltava by about 60 metres, which altered the scenery of the whole area. The castle which was originally built on a high rock has been turned into a water castle almost surrounded by water.

Orlik photos

Related links

Orlik castle homepage

Sightseeing at Zvikov castle

Czech King Wenceslas I built this Royal gothic castle in 1234 on a hill towering over the confluence of Vltava and Otava rivers. Major building was done by the son of King Wenceslas I, King Premysl Otakar II. (also called the King of gold and iron). It was he who added a four-wing huge Gothic palace to the Zvikov castle with an irregular layout, unusual for that time. On the ground and first floors, the wings are connected by arcade passages with circular windows facing the courtyard.

The Zvikov Castle has been used for the filming of many movies. The communists dammed up the river, so the Zvikov castle is much closer to the water then when it was originally built.

Zvikov photos

Related links

Castle Zvikov homepage

Tour types:

• Driver only: you walk around the sight-seeing spots by yourself
• Driver-escort: driver escorts you from parking to sight-seeing spots and gives basic explanation in English, helps you with tickets etc.
• Driver and guide: a licensed guide gives you detailed explanation
  
  

Vehicle types:

• Mercedes-Benz E-class: a limousine for up to 2 passengers and guide
• Mercedes-Benz V-class: a mini-van for up to 6 passengers and guide
  
  

Payment conditions:

• The rates are quoted PER VEHICLE (not per person) and include VAT, fuel expenses, parking fees, guiding fee in English or German language (if applicable) and driver/guide meal expenses. The rates DO NOT include admission fees.
• The prices are quoted and will be charged in Czech Crowns. The price in Euro is for your information only.
• Full prepayment is requested 1 working day before the service date.
• Payment is possible by a money wire transfer onto our account or by credit card. Accepted credit cards: Amex, Visa, Visa Electron, Master Card, and Maestro.
  
  

Tour conditions and ordering

• Confirmation of your booking will be sent within 24 working hours.
• All tours and trips are available in English, German, Italian, Japanese, French or Spanish language upon the client's request
• All the guides are licensed for Prague and the Czech Republic.
• All the tours are done by the top quality Mercedes-Benz vehicles.
• You will be picked up at your hotel in Prague and dropped off in Prague at place of your choice.
• The tours are private tours, done exclusively for you – there will be no strangers in the car with you.