Prague Castle

Prague Castle Overview

Prague Castle and Charles Bridge online webcam

Prague Castle belongs among the most significant of Czech monuments and is one of the most important cultural landmarks in the Czech Republic. The scale of Prague Castle captivates and enthralls every visitor no matter who they are and regardless of their interest in historical sights. Don't be mistaken that it is just one enormous structure because it is in fact a huge collection of buildings both secular and spiritual on Hradcany or 'Castle Square' towering above the city.

Prague Castle was according to the oldest literally sources first laid out in the year 880 by Prince Borivoj of the family Premysl. We know that he had an impressive fort built on the site of the the present castle. In the decades and centuries which followed came the Ottoman style Basilica of St George in the first half of the 900s which led to the setting up of the fiirst Christian monastery on Bohemian soil, Before the century ended Prince Wenceslas had founded the gorgeous Rotunda of St Vitus in Romanesque style. This church became particularly holy to the Czechs as their Saint Wenceslas was buried within it and so the tomb became a place of pilgrimage for the whole country. Another major milestone was reached in 973 when the Vatican decided to award Prague a bishopric and this encouraged a great flurry of building works. The afore mentioned Rotunda of St Vitus was considered too small and so was enlarged into a Basilica. In the mid 12th century prince Sobeslav ascended to the throne and a far-sighted man he was. He commissioned colossal building works to last long after him primarily a stone Romanesque palace of immense grandeur and size. Sadly not too much of it is recognisable today. However if his contribution was memorable that of Charles the Fourth and his son Wenceslas is, for the moment at least, timeless.

The magnificent Gothic cathedral of St Vitus was their brainchild and although it took almost forever tto complete it stands exactly on the place where they imagined it. The large scale remodelling of Prague Castle itself was also put into effect. Wars, new princes and kings and emperors ascending to the throne, as well as extraordinary changes in architectural thinking would profoundly alter the appearance of the prague Castle complex in the centuries ahead but today it is undoubtedly the most familiar spectacle and attraction of the entire country.

Today it is not only the residence of the Heads of State but also it is recognized on UNESCO's list as an exceptional cultural and historical landmark. Visiting Prague Castle is an essential and unmissable part of your visit to this city and I recommend you to at least include the first courtyard and Saint Vitus Cathedral while you are up there. There is both a long and a short path through the grounds of the castle completely open to the public. You may also visit the exposition "The Story of Prague Castle" or the art gallery of Prague Castle and Powder Tower. When the weather is favorable you can lengthen you visit to take in the Castle Gardens and Stag Moat.

Prague Castle Price List and Opening Hours

In Prague Castle you can visit:

1. Old Royal Palace with Vladislav Hall

2. Permanent exhibition The Story of Prague Castle

3. Basilica of St. George

4. Convent of St. George with exhibition of National Gallery

5. Golden Lane with Daliborka Tower

6. Prague Castle Picture Gallery

7. Powder Tower with Castle guard exhibition

8. Cathedral of St. Vitus

9. St. Wenceslas vineyard