Thanks to Vrchlický’s comedy Night at Karlštejn, almost everyone is aware of Karlík Castle’s existence. Nevertheless, only a few know where the castle can be found, and even fewer people are aware of the fact that there is hardly anything left of it.
Karlík Castle used to stand on the sharp promontory called Hrádek. It adjoined Karlické valley that is located in the north of Dobřichovice. The castle was built on a strategic place and used to stand on the raised southern part of the crest of the hill. The only access path was dug through with a ditch in front of which was a mound.
The solid castle had a trapezoidal ground plan, and towered high above the ditch. It is quite difficult to say what it originally looked like. The most probable option appears that the north face was fortified with a wall that had an entrance gate. On the south face was a building with a fireproof roof. Only an archaeological survey could shed more light on the mystery of the original appearance of the castle, and answer the question of its date of origin.
Currently we have too little information. The castle was founded in 1358, ten years after Karlštejn, and was built as a strategic castle. Allegedly it was destroyed after it had been besieged by Hussites in 1422, although there aren’t any references to it in any preserved documents. The only fact, that seems to be for certain, is that in 1544 Karlík wasn’t known as a castle any more, but as a mill and a pond.
How to find the castle
If you walk from Dobřichovice to Karlík Castle, you will pass through a village that bears its name. Turn right behind the second foot bridge, where a yellow sign is, bear in mind that this sign is not to be found on a map though. Walk about 100m uphill until you reach the ditches and mounds of the castle. Don’t expect too much as all that is persevered is some low walls and a ditch with a mound.
You will probably appreciate the surrounding countryside more than the castle itself. It is quite noticeable that the castle used to tower high above Karlický stream, unfortunately the view of the valley is now hidden behind trees. The surrounding rocks are, however, a source of enjoyment, especially for botanists. There is a spring below the place where the castle used to stand, and some cottages in the valley. It is quite nice to cycle uphill to Mořina, and carry on to Karlštejn Castle or to the quarry Amerika .
Hájek, Vrchlický and Gott
What is the connection between these otherwise completely different men who were born in such different times? Václav Hájek of Libočany wrote that Karlík was built for the empress and her escort, as it was forbidden for a woman to enter Karlštejn. Of course, this is nonsense. Firstly, Karlík has never been a majestic and elaborate castle that could accommodate a queen and her court. Secondly, women were allowed into Karlštejn. Emperor Charles IV issued an order banning women only from the Big Tower as the place had a religious significance. Therefore, no man was allowed to sleep with a woman in the tower, not even if she was his wife.
In spite of that, Hájek’s fabrication inspired Jaroslav Vrchlický to write a comedy called Night at Karlštej. This became the inspiration for the film musical of the same name. Karel Svoboda wrote the music and Jiří Štaidl was an author of the script.
There is also a connection between Karel Gott and the castle. No, we don’t mean the famous singer’s first name. What we have in mind is the singer’s former lover, Marika Sorosova. After he had split up with her, he built her a villa in the village Karlík, right under the old castle.It seems as if he too was inspired by the old legend.
Source: praha.eu
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