The Powder Tower

Dark, austere, and intimidating, the Powder Tower does not attract as many tourists as its flamboyant neighbour, the Municipal House. Aesthetically, a stark contrast separates the two, yet historically, they stand as equals. In the 14th century, as Prague flourished in trade and craftsmanship, King Charles IV dreamed big for the future of his city. He wanted to extend the city as well as elevate its reputation. To do so, he commissioned the construction of New Town in the East, and ordered the demolition of the outdated fortifications around Old Town. One of these old structures was the Mountain Gate. In ruins, it tarnished the prestige of the Bohemian Kings’ palace, which once stood where the Municipal House is today. In 1475, King Vladislas II asked for a new entrance gate to be built in the Old Town, prioritizing elegance over defense. However, with the royal palace relocating to Prague Castle, both motivation and funding weared off, leaving behind an unfinished tower, deemed worthless by the authorities. In the 17th century, the structure found a new purpose as a gunpowder storage facility. This transformation led to being renamed from the “New Tower” to the “Powder Tower” (Prašná brána). Damaged in the 18th century, the 44-meter-high monument underwent a Neo-Gothic restoration in 1886, inspired by the Old Town side of the Charles Bridge Tower. Today, cars pass under its arch, but in the past, only Bohemian kings were allowed. From this very spot, they would begin their coronation procession, following the Royal Route to Prague Castle—a tradition that once echoed through these historic streets.