Discover and visit Prague Castle

Prague Castle is a magnificent example of Prague’s Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque architecture. Built in the Middle Ages, it has been the seat of power for over 1,000 years.

Today, the castle is open to the public and can be visited.

The beauty of Prague Castle

The beauty of Prague Castle is world-famous and it is one of the most visited sites in the Czech Republic. Prague Castle is made up of several buildings, including St George’s Cathedral, St James’ Basilica, the Royal Palace and Hradčany Castle.

St George’s Cathedral is the largest church in the castle and houses the relics of Princess Ludmila, grandmother of St Wenceslas and Bohemia’s first martyr. The Basilica of St James is a Baroque church built in the 17th century. The Royal Palace is the seat of the Czech government and is open to the public. Hradčany Castle is the oldest building in the castle and houses the flats of the Czech president.

A guided tour is recommended to learn more about the castle’s history and monuments.

The history of Prague Castle

Prague Castle is one of the Czech Republic’s most important historical monuments. It was built in the 9th century to protect the royal family who ruled the kingdom of Bohemia. This initial wooden structure was later replaced by a more permanent stone structure, which became the seat of the Bohemian kings, and later of political and religious power. A princely, royal and then imperial residence, it became the seat of the President of the Republic when the Austro-Hungarian Empire was dismantled in 1918.

The first wooden structure built in 870 was a church dedicated to the Virgin Mary. Then, in the 10th century, the Basilica of St George and the Basilica of St Vitus were built at the instigation of Vratislaus I, Duke of Bohemia, followed by his son St Wenceslas.

A Romanesque palace was built in the 12th century, but it was King Ottokar II of Bohemia who rebuilt the royal palace, transforming it into a residence and a place of entertainment. Charles IV transformed it in Gothic style in the 14th century, and the royal palace was added by King Vladislav II in the 15th century. The Habsburgs then added a touch of Renaissance style to the new buildings, the most recent reconstruction being carried out by Empress Maria Theresa in the 18th century.

Prague Castle is an open book on the different eras it has lived through, through wars, destruction and the desires of the different monarchs who have ruled Prague.

The legends of Prague Castle

Legend has it that a princess named Libuse gave the order to build a fort from Vysehrad, pointing with her finger towards the north-east forest. She then asked that the fort be called Praha…

Another legend has it that the bell in St Vitus’s cathedral hangs from the end of a rope braided from the golden hair of a princess, which must not be broken under any circumstances, otherwise misfortune will strike. The rope broke in 2002… That same year, torrential rains flooded Prague and the whole country, causing the rivers to overflow and provoking a national disaster. Unfortunately, this legend has now become reality…

Saint Vitus or Saint Vitus Cathedral in Prague Castle

The cathedral of St Vitus, or St Vitus, is the most important building in Prague Castle.

Built in the 14th century, it is dedicated to Saint Vitus, the patron saint of Bohemia. This jewel box contains some real treasures: the sarcophagi of the emperor’s Přemyslid ancestors, Alfons Mucha’s Art Nouveau stained glass windows, Venetian mosaics, gold leaf frescoes and paintings of striking beauty.

The crown jewels, including the 16th-century imperial globe, the crown of St. Wenceslas (1346), the royal sceptre and the coronation cloak, are preciously locked away in a 7-lock vault.

The grandeur of Prague Castle

Prague Castle is considered to be one of the largest ancient castles in the world, and is even listed in the Guinness Book of Records. This jewel covers no less than 18 hectares and covers an area of 753,474 m2, with a length of 570 metres and an average width of 130 metres. It’s best to bring good walking shoes if you’re planning to visit it all!

Today, it houses the Prague National Museum, the Palace of Archduke Charles, the Golden Lane and several other attractions. The grandeur of Prague Castle is obvious as soon as you see it, and it is surrounded by magnificent gardens and inner courtyards that are just as superb and imposing. Here you can admire statues, fountains and sculptures, as well as a sixteenth-century tropical garden created at the request of the Germanic Roman Emperor Rudolf II.

There are 4 churches at Prague Castle: St Vitus Cathedral, St George’s Basilica, the Chapel of All Saints and the Holy Cross Chapel.

Prague Castle has 5 halls, the 2 most important of which are the Spanish Hall and the Vladislav Hall, which are still used today for special events (galas, political dinners, etc.).

Golden Lane, formerly Goldsmiths’ Street, is typical of 15th-century buildings. You can see well-preserved medieval buildings housing exhibitions of armour, textiles, scenes from medieval life and shops selling local crafts. Visit 22 Golden Lane, the site where author Franz Kafka once wrote some of his works while staying with his sister.

The magnificence of Prague Castle and its inner courtyards

Prague Castle is situated on a hill overlooking the city and comprises several inner courtyards.

• The first courtyard, called the Court of Honour, is the largest and most imposing, with its many statues and the imposing St Vitus Cathedral, which dominates the castle.

• The second courtyard, known as the Cour des Lions, is equally impressive, with its central fountain and two stone lions.

• The third courtyard, known as the Royal Courtyard, is smaller but just as magnificent, with its formal gardens and Baroque palace.

Prague Castle opening times

Prague Castle grounds are open daily from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m., the historic buildings from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. from 1 April to 31 October and from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. from 1 November to 31 March.

How long does it take to visit Prague Castle?

It takes a good 3 hours to tour the castle, which is, as we said earlier, very big!

Prague Castle is a magnificent and fascinating place that is well worth a visit. If you’re in Prague, don’t hesitate to pay it a visit!