Celebration of Charles IV's Birthday

Step back to 1366, when Emperor Charles IV celebrates his 50th birthday at Velhartice Castle. Charles has just arrived from Znojmo, where he confirmed important succession treaties with the Austrian Habsburgs. His wife Elisabeth of Pomerania has given birth to their first child together, Anna, the future Queen of England, and from Luxembourg comes the Emperor's brother, Duke Václav, with his wife Johanna. The loyal Bušek the Younger of Velhartice has prepared a rich entertainment programme for his lord and guests, above all a knightly jousting tournament beneath the castle walls.

The event begins on Saturday, May 16 at 10:00 and on Sunday, May 17 at 10:30 on Velhartice square, where Charles IV will arrive with his retinue and Lady Elisabeth of Pomerania. In the Church of the Nativity of the Virgin Mary, there will be a blessing and a performance by the local choir, then the procession moves to the castle, where the programme continues until 17:00. Visitors will see fencing, music, jesters, knights on horseback demonstrating skills in the castle moat, falconry displays, and a demonstration of a medieval siege machine, the trebuchet. Children can enjoy pony rides. Those interested can purchase a tour of the Renaissance castle at the castle ticket office at 10:30 or 13:00.