Černá věž

The Black Tower at Prague Castle is the only fully preserved defensive tower from the original Romanesque fortifications of the 12th century. Originally used as the eastern access route, it now houses an archive for archaeological finds. The rectangular stone structure with its massive walls once served as a prison and watchtower. Its present name goes back to the great fire of 1541, which badly blackened the facade. Before that, the tower was known as the Golden Tower, because Emperor Charles IV had its pyramid-shaped roof covered with gilded lead plates. You can explore the historic architecture and the imposing walls, some of them three meters thick, of this important monument of the medieval city fortifications.