I’ve never met anyone who doesn’t like wine. And an entire weekend-long festival dedicated to celebrating it sounds like a party I’d definitely want to attend. So, if like me, you’re looking for a fun weekend that’s dedicated to wine and don’t mind an interesting history lesson too, the Karlstejn Castle historic Wine Festival is right up your alley.
Wine and its importance have a beautiful history together. In medieval times wine was much more than the celebratory libation it is today as clean drinking water was difficult to find. It was quite literally the life blood of society. Citizens of all ages, denominations, and social stature, drank wine regularly to sustain themselves. So it makes sense that it was regularly celebrated in festivals which would take over cities for days.
Today we may not depend on wine as much for survival, but we still have every reason to continue celebrating one of society’s favorite beverages. One of the Czech Republic’s best annual festivals takes place in Karlstejn with the regal Karlstejn Castle as a backdrop, definitely putting anyone attending into a medieval frame of mind. Built in the 14th century, the castle was the seat of the King of Bohemia and housed the royal jewels and holy relics.
Experiencing this festival is like taking a trip back in time. Surrounded by people in medieval dress, you’ll watch performers do magic tricks, swallow fire and fence, of course. There are food stands where you’ll sample traditional Czech cuisine and a bazaar where you’ll find some medieval themed trinkets, crafts, and decorations.
Then, of course, there’s the wine. You can choose from a selection of local and fermented wines to taste and purchase. The highlight of the festival is definitely the parade with everyone in full medieval regalia posing as the Holy Roman Emperor and Czech King Karel IV and the members of his royal court. It marches from the Karlstejn vineyards right through the village to the castle.
This festival celebrates so much more than wine as it’s a cultural re-enactment of the life of Czech people many years ago. So, grab a glass and enjoy!
http://www.czechtourism.com/e/karlstejn-grape-harvest/
https://travelsquire.com/ts/czech-republic/stories/