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According to the Guinness Book of World Records, the Prague Castle (Pražský hrad) is the largest coherent castle complex in the world, with an area of almost 70,000m˛.
A UNESCO World Heritage site, it consists of a large-scale composition of palaces and ecclesiastical buildings of various architectural styles: Romanesque, Gothic, Renaissance and finally Baroque. Its many attractions include St Vitus Cathedral, The Old Royal Palace, Golden Lane houses, St George's Basilica and convent and several museums.
The castle was most likely founded in around 880 by the first Duke of Bohemia, Prince Borivoj. It has been home to the rulers of Bohemia for almost a thousand years, and is now the official home of the President of the Czech Republic.
Attractions....
St Vitus Cathedral (Katedrála svatého Víta). Though many other important buildings are located in the Prague Castle complex, it is St Vitus Cathedral that dominates the skyline when you look up at the hill where the castle is located. It is the largest and most important Church in Prague. The coronations of Czech kings and queens took place here, and it is here that many of the sovereigns are entombed.
The present cathedral is the third Church consecrated to St Vitus built on the site and dates from 1344, but was not completed until 1929. St Wencelas chapel is the most important chapel in the cathedral. Its walls are covered in Gothic frescoes and decorated with precious gems. It is here, in the Coronation Chamber, that the Czech crown jewels are kept under lock and key. Other highlights inside the cathedral include: St John Nepomuk's tomb, - covered in a huge sculpture crafted from solid silver; The Royal mausoleum - the burial tomb of Ferdinand I and members of his family; The royal crypt - contains tombs of Charles IV and other Kings; the chapel of St. Vitus - which contains the saint's tomb and relics.
The Old Royal Palace (Starý královský palác) was the official seat of Czech rulers for centuries. A Romanesque palace was built here by Sobeslav in 1135, but was later rebuilt in Gothic style at the beginning of the 14th century by order of Emperor Charles IV.
The most remarkable room in the palace is the Vladislav Hall, named after the King Vladislav Jagiello who commissioned its build around the year 1500. The hall was designed by architect Benedikt Ried who combined the art of Late Gothic with elements of the newly arriving Renaissance style in its structure. The Palace is also home to the Permanent exhibition 'The Story of Prague Castle' that explains the one thousand year history of Prague Castle.
Golden Lane (Zlatá Ulicka) is a street with popular row of small, colourfully painted houses, which were built into the Northern wall of the castle in the 16th century as living quarters for the castle guards, but within a century they had been turned into goldsmith workshops, which is how the street required its name, Golden Lane. Today, the houses are gift shops selling Bohemian Glass and other trinkets to tourists.
There are four houses of specific interest on Golden Lane. No 20 still closely resembles the decoration of the dwellings as they would have looked in the 16th century; No 13, has kept to the original building regulation, and most clearly demonstrates how the houses were built into the arches of the castle wall; The staircase in No 12 gives access to the Daliborka tower - the tower was used as a prison and torture chamber; and house no 22 was occupied by author Franz Kafka from 1916 - 1917.
St George's Basilica and Convent (Bazilika sv Jiri - Klášter sv. Jirí) was the second church at Prague Castle, its interior is a fine example of Romanesque style architecture. 19th century Bohemian art - painting, sculptures and applied art are displayed in the convent.
The Prague Castle Picture Gallery with works of Titian, Aachen and Rubens can be found in a wing of the Royal Palace.
The Powder Tower (Prašná vež), an alchemist´s laboratory at the time of Rudolph II. It now houses a permanent exhibition about Prague's Castle Guard.
The Royal Garden situated close to the castle complex is a place to relax (Check opening times!)
Opening Times
Summer Tourist Season: 1 Apr - 31 Oct
Prague Castle complex: daily 5am till midnight
Premises requiring tickets: 9am to 6pm
Winter Tourist Season: 1 Nov - 31 Mar
Prague Castle complex - daily 6am till 11pm
Premises requiring tickets - daily 9am to 4pm
Cathedral of St. Vitus opens 12 Noon on Sundays.
Entrance Fees
Long Tour Ticket: 350 Czech Crown
Entitles you to visit: Old Royal Palace and the permanent exhibition 'The Story of Prague Castle'; St George's Basilica, Convent of St. George; Golden Lane with Daliborka Tower; Prague Castle Picture Gallery; and Powder Tower.
Short Tour Ticket: 250 Czech Crown
Entitles you to visit: Old Royal Palace and the permanent exhibition 'The Story of Prague Castle'; St. George's Basilica, Golden Lane with Daliborka Tower.
NOTE: Tickets are valid for two days - the day of the purchase and the following day.
St Vitus Cathedral is free.
How To Get There
Tram No. 22
Metro: A - Malostranská
External Links:
Official Web Site
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