The morning of day five was all about relaxation for me at the hotel spa. After days of intense walking, I decided it was time to give legs a bit of rest. From the list of treatments, I went for a lymphatic drainage massage and a detox bath. Both pleasant, but not life changing.
After recharging, we wanted to build up an appetite before lunch, so we decided to head up to Diana’s Tower. You’ve got two options to get there: hike up one of the scenic trails or take the funicular for a quicker ride to the top. The tower stands 35 meters tall, offering a breathtaking 360-degree view of the town, surrounding forests, and even distant mountain ranges on clear days.
The main plan for the day was visiting Loket, just a 20-minute drive from Karlovy Vary. This charming town is home to a beautiful medieval castle, which was build in 13 century, and has seen a lot.
Apart from its undeniable charm, Loket is steeped in fascinating legends and historical facts.
According to local legend, this is where the famous writer Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, in his later years, proposed to the much younger Ulrika von Lewetzov on the terrace of the Bílý kůň Hotel. Unfortunately for Goethe, Ulrika did not accept his proposal, but the story remains one of the town’s most famous love tales.
One of Loket’s most famous legends involves a mythical dragon, or šarkan, said to have terrorized the town in ancient times. According to legend, the dragon lived in the surrounding forests, devouring livestock and even people. Locals finally defeated it by tricking it with a poisoned sheep. Today, this tale is commemorated with dragon imagery around the town and castle, adding to its mystical atmosphere.
Loket is home to a rather bizarre legend about an “indestructible” meteorite. According to local lore, an iron meteorite fell into the courtyard of Loket Castle around 1400 (though some say as late as 1422), weighing approximately 107 kilograms. The locals believed that the meteorite had magical properties.
During the 19th century, Loket Castle was repurposed as a prison. It’s said that the dungeon and torture chambers in the castle were notorious for their cruelty. The castle’s museum now exhibits a collection of medieval torture devices, including the Iron Maiden and a rack, offering a glimpse into the darker side of the castle’s history. Very creepy!
I would definitely recommend a visit to this small city. As a bonus, it’s not overrun with tourists.
On the way back to Karlovy Vary, we decided to give our stomachs a break from the hearty Czech cuisine and dine at a Georgian restaurant. The place was small, but the food was absolutely delicious!
And this is was the end of the Day 5
