Above Republic Square, like a silent guardian and witness to many historical events, rises the Powder Tower - a beautiful Gothic structure that has become one of the symbols of Prague. During its existence, it has seen a lot, and today tourists, climbing its steps, seem to travel to the distant past, with each step moving several decades ago.
The history of the Powder Tower
Formally, the history of the Powder Tower began in 1475, but it is not the first of its kind in this place. Its predecessor, the Mountain Tower, or as it began to be called at the end of the 15th century - Stripped, appeared here two centuries earlier. So, in the 13th century, Stare Mesto was reliably protected by fortress walls with 13 towers, one of which was called Gorskaya. A rather important road connecting Prague with Kutná Hora passed through it. However, soon, in the middle of the XIV century, the Czech Republic and its present began to literally shake the changes. The successful ruler Charles IV began to expand literally everything that was possible, because the country was flourishing, the treasury was full as never before and there was enough money for all undertakings. This is how Nove Mesto appeared, and the old fortress walls gradually lost their significance. The mountain tower, which was falling into decay, became a place for collecting the toll. Over the years, it has become completely dilapidated, having received the name Skinned among the people.
However, the royal residence, despite all the innovations, was still located on the Old Town Square and the rulers could not allow the devastation to settle next to it. It was decided to demolish the old tower and build a new one in its place, which was supposed to delight everyone passing or passing by. The author of the project is the architect Martin Reisk. However, it was not possible to complete the construction of the New Tower - the political and economic situation in the country was changing, there was no money, and the need for it disappeared. So it stood without a roof for almost 250 years, until in the 17th century this place was looked after as a powder warehouse. At the same time, the tower received its modern name, which quickly took root.
[leveltravel country = ”CZ” city = ”Prague”]
Facade decorations and interior decoration
The Powder Tower acquired its modern look in the 19th century. Unfortunately, most of the earlier facade decorations were destroyed during the Seven Years' War. Architect Josef Motzker, in the company of the best Czech sculptors, tried in every possible way to give it a neo-Gothic appearance and achieve similarity with the Old Town Tower of Charles Bridge, as originally intended. So the tower was decorated with coats of arms, sculptures of Czech kings, angels and saints, who today can be looked at for an infinitely long time, not believing that they are relatively young.
The highlight of the interior is Romanesque stained glass windows with symbolic religious themes. The ceilings of the second floor are decorated with mysterious coats of arms, each of which was not here by chance. Also, tourists are attracted by the opportunity to visit a small exhibition of armor and weapons and, of course, having overcome 186 steps of a spiral staircase, enjoy magnificent views of Prague from a 44-meter observation deck.
Opening hours and ticket prices
In the summer season, from March to October, the doors of the tower are open from 10-00 to 20-00. In winter, it works from 10-00 to 18-00. A full adult ticket costs 90 CZK, a concessionary ticket, for children and some categories of citizens - 65.
How to get there on your own
Getting to the Powder Tower, located on Republic Square, is not difficult. Nearby is the Namesti Republiky metro station (yellow line) and a public transport stop of the same name, through which tram lines 5, 8, 24 and 26 pass.
