History - Loket

The town grew out of the outer ward of the royal castle on a sharp tongue of land by a tight bend in the river Ohře. It dates back to the year 1240, during the rule of King Wenceslas I. During the Luxembourg era Loket was the temporary seat of members of the royal family and was visited several times by King Jan Luxembourg. In 1319, his wife Eliška Přemyslovna retired here with her son, the prince royal Wenceslas - the young Charles IV - who was imprisoned here for two months on the order of his father. Loket was one of the most secure places in Bohemia and even the whole of Central Europe. The thirty years war was a disaster for the town, and preceded a gradual decline. The castle lost much of its significance. It was henceforth used mainly as a depository, and even became a prison in 1822. After extensive reconstruction, the castle is now open to visitors; part of it is used as a museum (with a permanent porcelain exhibition) and is also utilized for other cultural purposes. The castle gives a pleasant feel to the centre of the town.

Culture - Loket

The natural amphitheatre was built with the participation of many of the town’s residents in the spring of 1949. The ceremonial opening took place on 2 July 1949, with a performance of Dvořák‘s Rusalka by the Prague National Theatre company. Many theatrical performances are given here to this day. A permanent exhibition of book binding was opened in Černá Věž (the Black Tower) in 2001. Loket has also been visited by a number of cultural personalities, the most significant of whom was indisputably J. W. Goethe.

Tours - Loket

Visitors should not fail to visit the stately home in v Bečov nad Teplou, the shrine of St. Maur, Mariánské lázně (Marienbaad), Karlovy Vary or Františkovy Lázně (František‘s Spa). In the town itself the town hall, kaple Sv. Anny (chapel of St. Anne), Sloup Nejsvětější Trojice (Column of the Holy Trinity) and Mariánská Kaple (Church of St. Mary) are all especially noteworthy.