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The 65m-tall Powder Gate (Prasna brana) in the old town, marks the beginning of the Royal Route that the monarchs of Bohemia walked on their way to St Vitus Cathedral to be crowned.
The gate was built in the 14th century as a coronation gift by the city council to King Vladislav II. Its design, by Mathias Rejsek, is modelled on the Old Town Bridge Tower (at Charles Bridge) which had been built a century earlier.
The gate was never completed to its original design, as work stopped when the Royal Court moved from the Old Town Square and returned to Prague Castle in 1488.
A spiral staircase was added to the gate in 1592.
Many of the original sculptures on the facade of the tower were destroyed during the Prussian occupation in 1757. The statues you see today are the result of the major restoration made between 1875 and 1886 by the architect Josef Mocker in neo-gothic style.
The gate, which was originally called 'The New Tower', gained its present name The Powder Gate (Tower) in the 18th century when it was used to store gun powder.
The tower is open to the public and offers views of the city. It also houses a permanent exhibition on the "Towers of Prague."
(Note: Do not confuse this tower with the one at Prague Castle that is also called 'The Powder Tower')
Opening Hours & Price
Apr-Oct: Daily 10am-6pm
(May also open at other times of year - please check!)
Entrance fee: 50 Czech Crown
Address
Powder Gate
námestí Republiky
Old Town, Prague 1
How to Get There
Metro: B - námestí Republiky
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