An Old Blue Train and Křivoklát Castle

I traveled southwest to Křivoklát this morning, for a medieval fair and a relaxing day. I took this Royal Blue Steam Train, with 12 historic cars(read: wooden seats) southwest of Prague on a two hour ride through steep valleys and beautiful fall countrysides. It was a beautiful Indian Summer day, cold to start with but then mildly warm and blue cloudless skies.

The train departed Smíchov station at 9:57 and arriving there at 11:30 and then returning on the same train which left at 3:30 arriving into Prague at 5:45. The Fall colors, enhanced by the sunshine, gave a nice glimpse of true Autumn. The train was full and the compartments were filled with families and children. I think I was the only single man. A really wonderful day and it was good for the soul.

Křivoklát Castle is one of the oldest and most important castles of the princes and kings of Bohemia. It is 900 years old. Its beginnings date back to the 12th century. During the rule of Přemysl Otakar II, and Václav II. this large, magnificent royal castle was built west of Beroun, then considerably rebuilt by Václavl IV. It was also a greatly feared prison. The period of Romanticism of the 19th century and particularly the family of the Fürstenberks, who owned the castle until 1929, saved the building from falling into decay and secured its restoration. It contains a magnificent Chapel, the Royal Hall and the Hall of Knights contain exhibitions of Gothic paintings and sculptures, and a Library still containing 53 000 volumes, in the basement the notorious prison and torture chamber with instruments of torture, and a monumental great tower with hunting collections.

And of course, a medieval fair would not be complete without great food cooked over open fires, the clanking of blacksmiths working iron and hot Medovina(honeywine). I only had a few. Six. But who was counting. But they were little, a deciliter, like an ounce and a half each.

So a rejuvenating day, filled with great sights, laughing children, the smell of good food , good hot wine, and the noise and rocking and rolling of an old puffer with black sulfur smelling smoke and cinders coming in from the windows. A good weekend. A lovely Saturday afternoon spent with a friend and Křivoklát ended it nicely. So onward and upward into a new week. Cheers +150