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Loket, a picturesque Gothic royal castle, was founded on the site of an older Romanesque building in the 13th century. It was extended during the period of Wenceslas IV, rebuilt in the 16th century and partially destroyed in the 19th century.

Since the beginning, the architecturally imposing castle used to be a place of frequent stays of Czech sovereigns and their families as well as a venue of important diplomatic negotiations. The records of the Zbraslav chronicle confirm the important position of Loket in the kingdom during the reign of John of Luxemburg. Before the first half of the 14th century, Charles IV stayed here several times, and besides managing the state affairs, he used to go out hunting in the large royal game park. Loket also proved to be an important stronghold during the battles of Charles’ son Wenceslas IV with Ruprecht of Pfalz. In 1382, King Wenceslas IV confirmed the freedom of the town and entrusted the castle and the regional administration to the hands of his most favoured Zdim�r of Sedlec (1382-1397). A partial rebuilding of the castle can be dated to the same period.

The prison set up in the building has been used as the town museum since 1898. Its exhibition is dedicated to historical porcelain and the history, archaeology and building development of the castle (a torso of the Romanesque rotunda, prison cells, tower with a lookout). There is also a permanent exhibition of ghosts.

The history of the Loket castle is long and rich. Since last May, there has been a unique exhibition of jailing, which presents almost all 15th century instruments of torture.