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In the 15th century, King Vladislav II laid the corner-stone for this tower at the city’s eastern gate, intended to complement the Royal Court nearby. Used to store gunpowder in the 17th century, hence the name, the tower was damaged during attacks by Prussian forces in 1757. The Neo-Gothic façade seen today, with its sculptural decoration, dates from 1876.

The first and main focus of most tourists’ visit to Prague is the gloriously ornate and varied castle complex (see Prague Castle). Its determined survival in the face of an often turbulent history only seems to add to its attractiveness and fascination. Despite its medieval appearance, however, it is still as much of a political stronghold as it has always been, as the seat of the modern-day Czech government, overseen by President Václav Klaus whose office is here.

In 1968 First Secretary Alexandr Dubček introduced economic and social reforms that did not sit well with Moscow. Warsaw-Pact tanks rolled through Prague streets killing more than 100 protestors.

Čapek’s science-fiction play is a study of labour relations and social structures.

The Courthouse Steps lead from Hradčany’s former mayoral residence, now the hotel Zlatá Hvězda, to the old courthouse at Loretánská 1. At the bottom are two statues, St John of Nepomuk on the left and what appears to be St Joseph in Renaissance garb on the right. There are more steps than is immediately apparent, making the pub halfway up a convenient stop-off point.

The melancholy emperor (1576–1611) was not much good as a statesman and was under threat from his ambitious brother, Matthias, but he was a liberal benefactor of the arts and sciences. Among his achievements were the support of Johannes Kepler’s studies of planetary motion. He also promoted religious freedom.

From its construction in the 1970s until Czechoslovakia split into Czech and Slovak republics in 1993, this was the Federal Assembly building. If there are bored young soldiers guarding the entrance when you visit, it means Radio Free Europe is still broadcasting to Afghanistan.

Grateful to the Red Army for liberating Prague in 1945, Czechoslovakia gave Soviet Communism the benefit of the doubt in the February 1948 elections.

This 11th-century chapel is the oldest in Prague and most likely to be the oldest Christian house of worship in the country. It was reconstructed in 1878.

Visitors may regret the disappearance of the maze and pineapple trees that once featured here, but will likely appreciate the absence of Rudolph II’s lions. Within the English-style garden are the former Presidential Residence (the First Lady didn’t like it), the sgraffitoed Ball Game Hall and the Royal Summer Palace, also known as Belvedere.