Czech and Prague Sightseeing

The Prague Castle

The Prague Castle is the castle in Prague where the Czech kings, Holy Roman Emperors and presidents of the Czech Republic (and Czechoslovakia) have had their offices. The jewels of the Bohemian Kingdom are kept here. Prague Castle is one of the biggest castles in the world at about 570 meters in length and an average of about 130 meters wide.

History

The history of the castle stretches back to the 9th century (870). Basilicas of St. George and St. Vitus were founded in the first half of the 10th century. A Romanesque palace was erected here during the 12th century. In the 14th century, under the reign of Charles IV the royal palace was rebuilt in Gothic style and the castle fortifications were strengthened. In place of rotunda and basilica of St. Vitus began building of a vast Gothic church, that have been completed almost six centuries later. During the Hussite Wars and the following decades the Castle was not inhabited. In 1485 King Ladislas II Jagello begins to rebuild the castle. The massive Vladislav Hall was added to the Royal Palace. Then were also built new defence towers on the northern side of the castle. A big fire of 1541 destroyed large parts of the castle. Under Habsburgs some new buildings in renaissance style appeared here. Ferdinand I built Belvedere, summer palace for his wife Anne. Rudolph II used Prague Castle as his main residence. He founded the northern wing of the palace, with the Spanish Hall, where his precious artistic collections were exhibited. The last major rebuilding of the castle was carried out by Empress Maria Theresa in the second half of the 18th century. In 1918 the castle became the seat of the president of the new Czechoslovak Republic. The New Royal Palace and the gardens were renovated by Slovenian architect Joze Plecnik.

After Czechoslovakia split into the Czech Republic and Slovakia, the castle became the seat of the Head of State of the new Czech Republic.

Objects of the Prague Castle

• The neighbourhood around the Prague Castle is called Hradcany.
• St Vitus Cathedral
• St George’s Basilica and convent
• Old Royal Palace
• Belvedere (Royal Summer Palace)
• Lobkovicz Palace
• Rosenberg Palace
• New Royal Palace (Spanish Hall, Rudolph’s Gallery)
• Dalibor Tower
• Powder Tower – Mihulka
• Golden Lane (Zlatá ulička)
• Supreme Burgrave’s House
• Ball Game Hall
• Riding School
• Imperial Stables
• Old Provost Residence
• New Provost Residence
• Royal Garden
• Riding School Terrace Garden
• The Garden on the Bastion
• South Gardens
• Paradise Garden
• Garden on the Ramparts
• The Hartig Garden
• Deer Moat

Location:

• Prague castle on Google maps


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