DK Travel : Prague : Prague Castle

Prague Castle

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Crowned by the distinct spires of St Vitus’s Cathedral, Prague Castle (Pražský Hrad ) is the metaphorical and historical throne of the Czech lands. Prince Bořivoj built a wooden fortress here in the late 9th century, establishing the hilltop overlooking the river as the Přemyslid’s dynastic seat. The castle later became the capital of the Holy Roman Empire. Much of the castle was rebuilt in the 16th century, resulting in the glorious Renaissance edifice seen today. Today it is home to the President of the Czech Republic.
For more sights around Hradčany (see Prague Castle and Hradčany)

Top 10 Features

1. Old Royal Palace

While Prince Bořivoj made do with a wooden structure, subsequent residences were built on top of each other as the tastes of Bohemia’s rulers changed (see Features of the Royal Palace). Halls are decorated with coats of arms.
2. Gardens on the Ramparts

Ferdinand I and his son Maximilian II gave the dour castle some greenery in the late 16th century, and the First Republic architect Josip Plečnik created the lined paths, steps and grottoes that extend to Malá Strana.
3. Summer Gardens

Ferdinand I also created these “pleasure gardens” for his wife Anne. Italian in style, they included a maze, a zoo, and the Belvedere.
4. Battling Titans

These stone giants have dominated the First Courtyard since Empress Maria Theresa asked Ignatz Platzer to sculpt them in the 18th century.
5. St George’s Convent

Princess Mlada established the first Czech convent here in the 10th century. The Romanesque building now houses artworks from the National Gallery.
6. St George’s Basilica

Prince Vratislav built the basilica in AD 921. The chapel of St Wenceslas’s grandmother, St Ludmila, is decorated with beautiful 16th-century paintings.
7. White Tower

The White Tower contains a torture chamber and, today, shops selling grisly souvenirs. The gangways from which archers once watched over the moat are lined with replicas of weapons.
8. Powder Tower

This was Rudolf II’s top research facility, where alchemists sought the Philosopher’s Stone. Oddly, the Czech name “mihulka ” implies a place where lampreys are kept.
9. Golden Lane

The colourful hovels built into the castle wall were home to goldsmiths so they could avoid guild dues in town.
10. Daliborka

Dalibor, something of a Czech Robin Hood, was captured and became the first prisoner of the tower that now takes his name.

Practical Information

The Castle Guard changes every day at noon, but the big show is on Sundays. At 10am each day a brass quartet serenades Malá Strana from a pavilion overlooking the Old Castle Steps. Hradčany, Prague 1 224 373368 www.hrad.cz Castle grounds: Open Apr–Oct: 5am–midnight daily, Nov–Mar: 6am–11pm daily Royal Palace: Open Apr–Oct: 9am–5pm daily, Nov– Mar: 9am–4pm daily St George’s Convent: Open 10am– 6pm Tue–Sun St George’s Basilica: Open Apr–Oct: 9am–5pm daily, Nov–Mar: 9am– 4pm daily Adm Kč220 (includes St Vitus’s Cathedral, St George’s Basilica, Powder Tower and Old Royal Palace)

Reviews

foxyraerae

Prague Castle was deffinatly worth the visit. It was very beautiful! loads of history and fantasic views over prague. The holiday as a whole was amazing and i would really love to go back there. Its also excellent for romantic retreats as prague has a lot of lovely resturants to offer as well.

about a year ago

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