Pražský hrad

Prague Castle (Czech: Pražský hrad) is one of the most important historic sites in the Czech capital. A former residence of the kings of Bohemia, two Holy Roman Emperors, and the presidents of Czechoslovakia, it is now the seat of the President of the Czech Republic. With an area of almost 70,000 square meters (about 750,000 square feet), it is considered the largest coherent castle complex in the world. The grounds stretch across the Hradčany spur and are divided into several courtyards connected by monumental gates and passageways. The complex is not only a political center but also a cultural heart of the city, drawing millions of visitors every year.

The castle's history goes back to the 9th century, when the first settlements arose on the spur. The oldest written record dates from the founding of the Church of the Virgin Mary by Prince Bořivoj before the year 885. The original fortifications consisted of timber-and-earth walls and ditches that secured access to the spur. Over the centuries, the complex was rebuilt and expanded many times. Archaeological finds show that the early fortifications dated from the 10th century, before the transition to a stone castle under Soběslav I in the 12th century. This Romanesque wall, often called the Soběslav Wall, marks an important step in the development of the fortress.

A decisive turning point in the castle's building history came with the reign of Charles IV in the 14th century. After a devastating fire in 1303, the king had the castle rebuilt and left a lasting mark on its appearance. Under his rule, the Royal Palace was remodeled, and in 1344 construction began on St. Vitus Cathedral, which remains the castle's landmark to this day. The Gothic architecture of this era gives the complex its characteristic medieval charm. Later, in the 15th century, the castle enjoyed another heyday under the Jagiellonians. The master builder Benedikt Ried created Vladislav Hall, an outstanding Renaissance hall whose elaborate rib vaulting and large windows make it one of the earliest examples of the style north of the Alps.

In the 16th and 17th centuries, the castle continued to serve as a Habsburg residence. Emperor Rudolf II held court here and surrounded himself with scholars and artists, leading to a final cultural flowering before the Thirty Years' War. The Second Defenestration of Prague also took place during this period, an event often regarded as the trigger of the Thirty Years' War. After the war, in the 18th century, the entrance courtyard was rebuilt in the Baroque style by Nicolò Pacassi for Maria Theresa. The castle remained a center of power for centuries, at times serving as barracks and even as a prison, before being converted into the presidential seat after the founding of Czechoslovakia in 1919.

The architect Josef Plečnik was responsible for the alterations of the early 20th century, which changed the look of the courtyards and their paving. This work also laid the foundation for systematic archaeological investigations that continue today and yield new insights into the early medieval history of the site. The castle's present layout is divided into four main courtyards: the First Courtyard, also known as the Court of Honor, followed by the Second, Third, and Fourth Courtyards. There are also St. George's Square and Jiřská Street in the eastern part.

Visitors usually enter the complex from Hradčany Square in the west through a monumental gate, where the changing of the guard takes place regularly. From there, the route leads through the Baroque Matthias Gate into the Second Courtyard. This courtyard is enclosed by the wings of the New Royal Palace, with its Neoclassical facade. Here you will find the Prague Castle Picture Gallery, which houses works by famous masters such as Rubens and Titian, as well as the Baroque Chapel of the Holy Cross and the Kohl Fountain. The New Royal Palace also contains the president's state reception rooms, which are open to the public only on special occasions such as national holidays.

In the Third Courtyard, the center of the complex, the Gothic St. Vitus Cathedral dominates. The cathedral is not only the architectural highlight but also houses the St. Wenceslas Chapel and the Crown Chamber with the Bohemian Crown Jewels. Next to the cathedral stands the Old Royal Palace, home to the aforementioned Vladislav Hall. Another important feature of this courtyard is the statue of St. George on a fountain, designed by Plečnik. The Mrákotín monolith commemorates the victims of World War I. From here, Jiřská Street leads to the East Gate, which can also be reached from the Lesser Town via the Old Castle Stairs.

A popular attraction within the castle is Golden Lane, a row of small houses from the Gothic and Renaissance periods. The writer Franz Kafka lived briefly in one of them, number 22. The Romanesque St. George's Basilica, with its towers known as Adam and Eve, stands on St. George's Square and is among the oldest structures in the complex. In the eastern section you will find Lobkowicz Palace, a private museum with the princely family's art collections, as well as the former Burgrave's Palace, which now serves as a toy museum and houses the largest private toy collection in the world.

The castle is surrounded by several gardens that round out its historic ambiance. On the south side, the Ramparts Garden, the Paradise Garden, and the Hartig Garden lie directly below the castle wall. On the north side, across the Stag Moat, stretches the Royal Garden, founded by Emperor Ferdinand I. Here you will find Queen Anne's Summer Palace, a Renaissance pleasure pavilion, and the famous Singing Fountain. The Palace Gardens below Prague Castle are laid out in terraces and offer lovely views of the city. This combination of historic architecture, cultural treasures, and green oases makes Prague Castle an unforgettable destination that brings the rich history of Bohemia vividly to life.