On the left bank of the Vltava River rises a powerful fortress called Prague Castle. It is a major historical, political and cultural center of Prague. The Castle has long been a symbol of the Czech statehood. It occupies a vast territory, the area of which is 45 hectares. The main fortress of the city forms an impressive complex of unique palace ensembles, structures, cathedrals and monasteries.
History
In the 9th century, the first Czech ruler from the Přemyslid dynasty, Prince Borjivo I, founded Prague Castle. On a hill by the Vltava River, a wooden fortress was laid, which housed the residence of the monarch. The palace was framed by a deep moat and earthen defensive fortifications. The prince and his wife Lyudmila were baptized according to the Orthodox rite by Bishop Methodius, who was one of the founders of Slavic writing. Borjivoi I decided to build the Church of the Virgin Mary near the castle, which became the first stone building in Prague Castle. The second shrine of the prince's residence was the Basilica of St. George, founded in 920 by the son of Prince Vratislav I.
The reign of Vratislav I was very short, so the transformation of Prague Castle into a revered Christian place was continued by Prince Wenceslas. He began to build the rotunda of St. Vitus. As a result of the conspiracy of the nobles, the ruler was brutally killed. Soon, Wenceslas was canonized and his image began to be installed on the altars of all the basilicas in Prague. At the end of the 10th century, the importance of Prague Castle increased.
In addition to the princely residence, the Czech bishop settled here. A period of long construction and expansion of the territory began. Instead of wooden buildings, they began to erect houses from limestone, and the area was fenced with high stone walls. Over the next centuries, Prague Castle suffered several destruction and fires. Most of the buildings were demolished or required restoration.
The years of the reign of Emperor Charles IV were marked by significant changes in the appearance of Prague Castle. The completely rebuilt princely palace acquired the Gothic style. On the site of the destroyed basilicas, new cathedrals were laid. The defensive wall along the entire perimeter of the fortress was reinforced with bastions with artillery towers.
In 1526, the Czech throne was occupied by Ferdinand of Habsburg, who set the task for the architects to create a pompous Royal Castle. The medieval palace no longer corresponded to the new trends in architecture. Particular attention was paid to the development of the extensive park and the expansion of the existing buildings and basilicas. Despite the fact that the residence of the monarch finally moved to Vienna, construction in the Castle did not stop.
At the turn of the XVI-XVII centuries, the ruler of the Holy Roman Empire, Rudolph II, was engaged in the reconstruction of Prague Castle after a fire in 1541. He rebuilt all objects in the Renaissance architectural style. The erected buildings changed their purpose and appearance. In the 18th century, the Prussian army inflicted great damage on Prague Castle during the Seven Years' War. Cathedrals and palaces were damaged. It took 25 years to restore the destroyed facilities.
Empress Maria Theresa ordered to eliminate the mixture of different trends in the architecture of Prague Castle and create a unified architectural style. After the fall of Austria-Hungary in 1918, Prague Castle received the first president of independent Czechoslovakia - Tomáš Mosarik. The 1989 Velvet Revolution opened up access for tourists and the general public to the entire palace complex.
Sights
Prague Castle is made up of buildings and cathedrals that represent the architectural value of the Czech state. This unique monument of architecture and art has gone through all the changes in artistic eras, starting with the Romanesque style. On the territory there are palaces, the Cathedral of St. Vitus, the Basilica of St. George, defensive tower structures. Prague Castle is considered a famous medieval castle ensemble in Europe.
Changing of the Guard
The main entrance to the territory of the sights of Prague Castle is a wrought iron gate with a decorative lattice. Here, on high pedestals, the figures of the fighting titans rise. Near the striped sentry booths are two sentries, who are the guardsmen of the presidential garrison of Prague Castle. The hourly ritual attracts the attention of curious tourists. Soldiers with excellent bearing, holding guns in their hands, impeccably strike a step during the changing of the guard.
Old Royal Palace
The Old Royal Palace, founded in the 9th century, was the seat of Czech rulers. Throughout the history of its existence, the building has been repeatedly rebuilt and expanded, so its internal and external appearance is very heterogeneous. Since the 16th century, the palace housed the main state institutions - the treasury, courts, the counting chamber, the office, offices of officials and advisers. In the 19th century, the palace was in disrepair. After the First World War, when the new country of Czechoslovakia was formed, the first presidential elections were held in the palace. Since the 60s of the XX century, the Old Royal Castle has been open to visitors.
The palace amazes with its grandeur. The building consists of many buildings, rooms and corridors. The pearl of the palace is the Vladislav Hall, located on the ground floor. In this spacious room, an openwork Gothic ceiling stands out, consisting of a fan vault in the form of petal stars. The hall was intended for receiving guests and coronation celebrations. Now the presidents of the Czech Republic are sworn in there.
The second floor of the castle is represented by halls where kings, bishops, parliament and judges sat. The walls of the premises are hung with portraits of noble nobles and the coats of arms of the cities of the Holy Roman Empire. Here is the royal throne, surrounded by deputy benches. In the palace you can see museum exhibits - jewelry, ancient manuscripts and carved furniture.
Basilica of St. George
One of the ancient shrines of Prague Castle is the Basilica of St. George. The first Czech rulers of the Přemyslids were baptized and buried in it. The temple, erected by Prince Vratislav in 920, has been rebuilt several times over the centuries. In the 17th century, the basilica acquired a luxurious baroque appearance.
The brick-red and pale yellow facade of the church is decorated with massive pilasters, arched windows with lattice and decorative elements that imitate window openings. The building is crowned with two large snow-white towers. The triangular pediment is decorated with relief stucco molding - St. George slaying the dragon. On the facade of the temple, you can see two statues depicting Prince Vratislav and his granddaughter Mlada.
The church consists of three naves and the main apse, where the stone sarcophagi with the remains of the princes Vratislav and Boleslav are located. About 140 representatives of the Přemyslid dynasty are buried under the shrine. The interior of the basilica is decorated with arched aisles and paintings on the vaults.
Golden Lane
From the Cathedral of St. George begins a picturesque street with colorful two-story wooden houses. It arose in the second half of the 16th century as a result of the reconstruction of Prague Castle. This small quarter is called Golden Lane, because jewelers, bell-makers and chasers lived here. Later, archers began to settle on this street. Small houses now house souvenir shops and shops.
Powder Tower Migulka
In the northern part of Prague Castle, there is a four-story artillery tower. It is called Migulka, because it looks like a lamprey fish.The building was built in the 15th century and was never used for its intended purpose. For some time there was a prison in the tower, then a laboratory was equipped in it, where tests of nuclei and gunpowder were carried out. In the 20th century, the tower served as housing for the guards of the cathedral. Now the building houses a museum of military history.
St. Vitus Cathedral
One of the most recognizable landmarks of the Czech capital, St. Vitus Cathedral, is located in the center of Prague Castle. This greatest temple is a masterpiece of Gothic architecture in Eastern Europe. The cathedral was built with interruptions for 585 years. In 929, on the site of a pagan temple, Prince Vladislav I built a rotunda, in which the remains of St. Vitus were laid. The fame of the religious building grew, which contributed to an increase in the number of pilgrims. The small building could no longer accommodate all the faithful, so in 1096 it was rebuilt into a three-nave rectangular basilica crowned with two spiers.
The construction of St. Vitus Cathedral began in 1344 during the reign of Emperor Charles IV. Chapels, a magnificent altar and a clock tower were erected. Popular unrest in Prague, as well as feudal strife in medieval Europe, delayed the construction of the cathedral for a long time. After the end of all conflicts, the rulers of the Holy Roman Empire continued to finish building the cathedral. Architects from different eras have decorated the basilica with domes, arched galleries and stained glass windows. In 1929, St. Vitus Cathedral was finally built.
The facade of the cathedral is decorated with mosaics, relief images, stone lace, fancy ornaments in the form of Gothic petals, lancet windows, and many chimera figures. Three massive bronze portals form the entrance to the basilica. Two Gothic pointed spiers, as well as a massive tower with a bell and clock, give the temple a special monumentality. The interior of the cathedral impresses with its beauty and dimensions.
Its length is 124 meters and a width of 60 meters. The walls of the basilica are painted with frescoes depicting scenes from the Passion of Christ, as well as the legend of St. Wenceslas. The ceiling is decorated with a cruciform vault. The halls are separated by arches that rest on massive columns. Vitus Cathedral consists of 21 chapels. They contain royal attributes of power (crown, orb, scepter), precious jewelry, icons in gilded frames, statues and gravestones of Prague bishops and kings.
South tower
The tower of St. Vitus Cathedral, which adorns its southern façade, deserves special attention. This one-hundred-meter building of the basilica is the architectural dominant of the building. Over the centuries, the tower was completed and transformed by many architects. Its construction was completed in 1770. The tower is decorated with vertical Gothic ribs, narrow windows and topped with a baroque dome. The building is decorated with a gilded clock with two dials and a bell. There is an observation deck at the top of the tower, to which 297 steps lead.
Rosenberg Palace
The mansion of the noble Czech nobles, the Rožmbergs, stands out noticeably against the background of the entire architectural ensemble of Prague Castle. This pompous palace was erected in 1574. Over the centuries, the building has undergone extensive reconstruction, as a result of which the building was connected to the Royal Palace.
The three-story building consists of four wings, two of which have arcade galleries and cornices. In 1753, by the decision of Maria Theresa, the Institute for Noble Maidens settled in the palace, where 30 unmarried noblewomen lived. The girls lived in a separate building of the palace, while the rest of the rooms housed the chapel, classrooms, living rooms and apartments of the abbess. The halls are decorated with frescoes depicting the life of the students of the Institute.
Royal garden
Prague Castle is surrounded by magnificent green spaces. In the 16th century, several gardens were laid out on the territory. For their arrangement, craftsmen from Italy were invited. Grapes, tulips, various exotic plants and many evergreen trees were grown here. The gardens were intended for the rest and entertainment of the monarchs. Among the lawns there are small colorful buildings with arches, lined with bright plaster. There is also a terrace with picturesque figures of lions and angels. Sports events and theatrical performances were held in the royal garden.
Deer ditch
There is a deep moat between the royal garden and the fortifications. This natural depression is named Olenya. Many of these animals grazed here. The gorge defended Prague Castle from surprise attacks from enemies. When the Deer Moat lost its military significance, it became part of the reserve and a place for horse riding training. The moat is a forest park with small clearings with paths and tall trees. In summer, here you can hide from the bustle of the city and enjoy the scent of herbs and flowers.
Opening hours and ticket prices
The territory of Prague Castle is open to the public every day from 5:00 to 24:00. The entrance to the complex is free, but you have to pay to visit certain objects. Cathedrals, museums and palaces receive tourists from 9:00 to 18:00. It is recommended to purchase a single ticket for 350 CZK, thanks to which you can visit all the iconic places and premises of Prague Castle.
Where is it and how to get there
The complex is located in the historic district of Prague - Hradnacany. The sight rises on the left bank of the Vltava River. You can get to Prague Castle by trams # 10, # 20, # 22. The Pražský hrad stop is located 300 meters from the palaces. You can also use the metro service to the Malostranská station. The distance from the metro to the complex is about 400 meters.
