Prague Castle

Prague Castle (in Czech: Pražský hrad) is the largest ancient castle in the world. It is perhaps the most important landmark in the magnificent city of Prague and it absolutely dominates the city's skyline. More than 1.8 million tourists visit Prague Castle every year, and indeed, it is hard to miss it. You will see it from many places along the Vltava and from numerous observation points in the Czech capital.

Getting There

Finding Prague Castle is very easy and there are multiple ways to get there. The most popular and convenient option is tram line no. 22 and the stop Pražský hrad. The Malostranská metro station on line A is also nearby. However, going to the castle from there requires an uphill walk. If you don't feel like it, you may choose the metro when exiting the castle and it will be a pleasant downhill stroll.

Opening times are different for various parts of the castle and they vary by season. It's recommended to check them on the official website.

History of Prague Castle in a Nutshell

The history of Prague Castle dates back to the 9th century, when Duke Bořivoj I built the Church of the Virgin Mary there. This church was destroyed in the 13th century. In the 10th century, Duke Vratislaus I (Vratislav I) with his son Wenceslaus I (Václav I), a.k.a. St. Wenceslaus, founded the Basilica of Saint George nearby.

In the 12th century, the settlement was re-built into a medieval stronghold. In the 14th century, during the reign of King Charles IV, the foundations of St. Vitus Cathedral were laid. Charles IV also strengthened the fortifications of the castle and the royal palace was re-built in the Gothic style.

In 1382, Bohemian kings moved out of Prague Castle and lived in the Royal Court for more than a century. The Royal Court (Králův dvůr) was located in the Old Town. The building of the Royal Court was abandoned for a long time and dilapidated in the 19th century. It was demolished in 1903. On its site, the beautiful Municipal House (Obecní dům) was built.

In 1483, Bohemian rulers returned to the castle, when the dynasty of Jagellons decided to use it as their seat. Subsequent centuries witnessed further development of Prague Castle. Vladislav II commissioned the magnificent Vladislav Hall and it was completed in 1502. The hall is still used by the modern Czech state for representative and ceremonial purposes.

The next dynasty, the Habsburgs, remodelled sections of the castle in the Renaissance style. They also added new buildings and the Royal Gardens (Královská zahrada). During the reign of Rudolf II, Prague Castle became the residence of Holy Roman Emperors and the whole city of Prague gained on importance. Prague became the center of the Holy Roman Empire.

In 1618, the second Prague Defenestration took place at the castle. Defenestration is a rather violent incident in which multiple people get thrown out a window. The word "defenestration" is derived from the Latin word for window: fenestra. In 1618, two Catholic counts and their scribe were defenestrated by Protestants from the third floor of Ludwig Wing in the Old Royal Palace. All of them survived the incident, but the event triggered a long period of religious conflicts, known as the Thirty Years' War. It was a very bad period for Prague Castle, it was damaged and robbed.

In the second half of the 18th century, Empress Maria Theresa ordered major rebuilding and renovation of Prague Castle. The Holy Roman Empire was dissolved in 1806 when the last Holy Roman Emperor, Francis II, abdicated. From 1804, he reigned as Emperor Francis I of Austria. The imperial seat of the Austrian Empire was not Prague, but Vienna. The importance of Prague Castle and the whole city diminished significantly. In 1848, Emperor Ferdinand V abdicated and chose Prague Castle as his residence.

In 1918, the first Czechoslovak Republic was proclaimed. Prague was the capital of the new state and Prague Castle became the seat of the Czechoslovak president Tomáš Masaryk. Nowadays, it is also the residence of the head of state: the president of the Czech Republic.

But Prague Castle is much more than that. Many sections of the castle are open to the public and millions of tourist gladly visit it. The castle is the place where Czech crown jewels are kept. Countless historical and artistic treasures are displayed or stored there. It is a symbol of Czech statehood and the history of Czechia throughout the centuries.

Main Places of Interest in the Prague Castle Complex