Prague Castle

In 2000, a monument of T. G. Masaryk (1850 - 1937) was unveiled on the occasion of the 150th anniversary of the first Czechoslovak President´s birth. The monument reminds us that Prague Castle became the presidential residence during T. G. Masaryk´s Presidency. His portrait is on the 5000 CZK banknote which is the highest denomination. The Archbishop Palace is a monumental late Baroque structure. Archbishop Příchovský´s emblem decorates the frontage. The building is still the archbishop´s official residence in Prague. The passage next to

The 1st Courtyard was created in the 18th century during Empress Maria Theresa´ reignjust filling up the castle trench. The Prague Castle western side thus acquired a grandier appearance. Important foreign delegations come here or one can watch the ceremonial changing of the guards, accompanied by music. The buildings are constructed in the Italian-Viennese Classic style. The attics are decorated with statues and military trophies by I. F. Platzer. The 1st and the 2nd Courtyards house representative halls of the Czech Republic Government, which are accessible to the public twice a year. The flagpoles are 25 meters tall, bearing the Czech

This entrance leading to the Office of the President of the Czech Republic was finished in 1996 by architect B. Šípek, following President Václav Havel´s initiative. The doors are decorated with golden female leopard contrasting with the male Czech Lion. The chapel of St. Cross interior from the 18th century is decorated with statues of St. Peter and St. Paul. The chapel is used for administrative purposes (one of the places to buy tickets and to get necessary information). Inside the chapel, you can see through the glazed door into the main nave. The early

The 4th Courtyard is accessible through the latticework gate from the Hradčany Square. It is just a small courtyard adjacent to the western wing. It links the castle to the garden at Bašta which was modified into a southern and Japanese garden style in 1930 by Slovenian architectural designer J. Plečnik, who lived in Prague. After the formation of the First Czechoslovak Republic in 1918, Plečnik worked on different

There are long vaulted horse stables on both sides of the passage. The stables were built towards the end of the 16th century to accomodate Emperor Rudolf the Second Spanish horses. Rudolf the Second was a passionate breeder of these horses. This also affected the later naming of the Spanish Hall, which was built in the beginning of the 17th century, together with the Rudolf's Gallery above the stables. The Spanish Hall is the most famous of the ceremonial halls. For instance, the last presidential elections were held here. All other rooms are used as exhibition space. Prague Castle Painting Gallery

The St. Vitus Cathedral, St. Wenceslas and St. Adalbert (The consecration includes the 3 saints buried here) is in the 3rd Courtyard. It is the main and largest church in Prague and it is the third structure built on the same place. The cathedral was founded in 1344 and the first architect was a Frenchman named Matthias of Arras. The cathedral was completed much later in 1929 and you are now standing in front of its newest section. The western towers dominate thanks to their height (82 meters), and visitors should try to

Here, the cathedral beautifully shows itself to the city. One can see how the tower separates the old gothic part of the Cathedral from the newer neo-gothic side. This is also clear when looking at the Cathedral from the Charles bridge.The oldest part is from the 14th century with its gargoyles and flying butresses. The original entrance is decorated with a mosaic from the 14th century depicting the Last Judgment. The latticed windows in the mosaic lead to the chamber of the crown jewels. The tower is almost 100 metres and has an observation gallery. The tower is decorated with two unusual clock faces, the top

The Old Royal Palace is a complex of several buildings built over many centuries that gradually came to constitute what is today known as Prague Castle. It was founded in the 9th century as royal residence, served emperors until the accession of the Habsburg in 1525. The palace was repaired in the 20th century, today it is accessible to the public as a historical monument. The lower Romanesque and Gothic floor features a permanent exhibition named "Příběh Pražského Hradu" (The Story of Prague Castle).

The Benedictine Nuns at St. George Convent, the oldest in Bohemia was founded in 973. Today there is a permanent National Gallery exhibition of 19th century Czech Art. While you would not guess it because of its early Baroque facade, the church is actually the best preserved Romanesque monument in Prague, and the oldest church at the Prague Castle. It was founded around the year of 920. The gable is decorated with a relief of St. George with the dragon, and the statues show Mlada, founder of the Monastery as well as Vratislav the First, founder of the church. The chapel of St. Jan Nepomucký adjoins on the side.

Access to the "Zlatá Ulička" (Golden Street) isn´t free, there is an entrance fee. The street is a picturesque and bizarre urban development, which contrasts with the majestic architecture of the Prague Castle. It is the last remaining exemple of small residential houses that belonged to the Prague Castle area. The current street was created during Rudolf the Second´s reign who granted the twenty-four castle shooters permission to build their small houses against the vaults of the bailey fortification (18 to 20 square meters in area). There are altogether

Going through the gate decorated with four coats of arms, we have just arrived at the Highest Burgrave Office. All four coats of arms belonged to the Highest Burgrave. The palace acquired its Renaissance appearance after the 1541 fire. Who was the Highest Burgrave? It was the Kingdom highest official and represented the King when he was absent. The building was used before 1989 for the needs of the House of Czechoslovak Children. A statue of Youth from 1963 also relates to this period. It is connected to a small story. The Communist Control Committee ordered the removal of the boy's genitalia from the statue and only after

The Black Tower used to be part of the Medieval fortification. The changing of the guards takes place every hour at the main gate. Stop where the former barbican used to stand (a strong defensive tower). In the 19th century, a canon ball shot from here signaled the hour of noon. Enjoy the amazing view over Prague, the Lesser Town, St Nicolas, the Vltava, the Old Town and more from the terraced gardens sloping down from the Prague Castle (the entrance can be found in the Southern Gardens of the Prague Castle). Prague,

The Southern gardens were originally designed to connect the Rajská garden and the garden na Valech. The architect Plečnik modified them at the time of Tomáš Garrigue Masaryk Presidency. After their expensive reconstruction, the terrace-shaped gardens were made accessible to the public for a small fee. From the gardens, you can see through the Lesser Town all the way to the Petřín Hill and the Petřín Tower. In addition, you can see churches of the Lesser Town and their towers. You already know St. Mikuláš church dome. Nearby is also the Charles Bridge and Vltava River. The Mánes Bridge leads