Contents
- 1 Prague Castle District – A Short History
- 2 Prague Castle: A Timeless Jewel in the Heart of Europe (Prazský hrad)
- 3 St Vitus Cathedral Prague (Katedrála sv. Víta, Václava a Vojtěcha)
- 4 Basilica of St. George Prague
- 5 Sternberg Palace Prague (Šternberský palác)
- 6 The Loreto Prague
- 7 Visit The Museum Of Miniatures
- 8 Martinic Palace Prague (Martinický palác)
- 9 Capuchin Monastery Prague (Kapucínský klášter)
- 10 Czernin Palace Prague Castle District (Černínský palác)
- 11 Getting Around In Prague
- 12 How To Get To Prague Czech Republic
- 13 Prague Castle District Map
Prague Castle District – A Short History
The history of Prague begins with the Prague Castle District, founded in the 9th century by Prince Bořivoj. Its commanding position high above the river Vltava soon made it the center of the lands ruled by the Přemyslids. The buildings enclosed by the Castle walls included a palace, three churches, and a monastery.
Around 1320 a town called Hradčany developed in parts of the Castle’s outer bailey. The Castle has been rebuilt many times, most notably in the reigns of Charles IV and Vladislav Jagiello.
After a fire in 1541, the badly damaged buildings were rebuilt in Renaissance style and the Castle enjoyed its cultural heyday under Rudolph II. Since 1918 it’s been the seat of the Republic of the President. The Changing of the Guard takes place every hour. At noon the ceremony includes a fanfare.
Prague Castle: A Timeless Jewel in the Heart of Europe (Prazský hrad)
Perched majestically above the Vltava River, Prague Castle is not just a symbol of the Czech Republic but a testament to the rich tapestry of European history. With its blend of architectural styles and historical significance, this sprawling complex draws millions of visitors each year, eager to explore its storied past and stunning vistas.
A Walk Through History
Prague Castle’s origins date back to around 880 AD, founded by Prince Bořivoj of the Přemyslid Dynasty. Over the centuries, it has evolved from a simple fortification into the largest ancient castle complex in the world, covering nearly 70,000 square meters. The castle has been the seat of power for Bohemian kings, Holy Roman emperors, and Czech presidents, each leaving their mark on its architecture and legacy.
Architectural Marvels
The castle complex is a mosaic of architectural styles, reflecting its various construction and renovation periods. The Gothic grandeur of St. Vitus Cathedral, with its soaring spires and intricate stained glass, dominates the skyline. Nearby, the Romanesque Basilica of St. George offers a stark contrast with its austere beauty. The Renaissance elegance of the Royal Palace and the Baroque opulence of the gardens and courtyards add to the castle’s eclectic charm.
Cultural and Political Significance
Prague Castle has always been more than just a royal residence. It has been a cultural and political hub, witnessing key events in Czech history. The Defenestration of Prague in 1618, which sparked the Thirty Years’ War, took place here. Today, it remains the official residence of the President of the Czech Republic, symbolizing the continuity of Czech statehood.
Exploring the Castle Grounds
Visitors to Prague Castle can wander through its many courtyards, each offering a unique glimpse into the past. The First Courtyard, with its grand entrance, sets the stage for the splendor within. The Second Courtyard houses the Chapel of the Holy Cross and the Picture Gallery, while the Third Courtyard is home to the magnificent St. Vitus Cathedral. Don’t miss the Golden Lane, a charming street lined with colorful houses that once housed the castle’s artisans and alchemists.
Practical Information
Prague Castle is open to visitors year-round, with extended hours during the summer months. The complex opens at 6:00 AM, with historical buildings accessible from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM in the summer and until 4:00 PM in the winter.
Tickets can be purchased on-site or online, and guided tours are available for those who wish to delve deeper into the castle’s rich history.
St Vitus Cathedral Prague (Katedrála sv. Víta, Václava a Vojtěcha)
Work began on the city’s most distinctive landmark in 1344 on the order of John of Luxembourg. The first architect was the French Matthew of Arras. After his death, Swabian Peter Parler took over.
His mason’s lodge continued work on the building until the Hussite wars. Finally completed in by 19th – 20th-century architects, the cathedral houses the crown jewels and the tomb of “Good King” Wenceslas.
A walk around St Vitus’s takes you back through 1,000 years of history. Go in through the west portal to see some of the best elements of the modern, Neo-Gothic style and continue past a succession of side chapels to catch glimpses of religious artifacts such as saintly relics, and works of art from Rennaissance paintings to modern statuary.
Basilica of St. George Prague
Located within the historic Prague Castle complex, the Basilica of St. George stands as a testament to the rich tapestry of Prague’s history. This architectural gem, with its striking Romanesque and Baroque elements, invites visitors to step back in time and explore the spiritual heart of the Czech Republic.
A Journey Through Time
The Basilica of St. George, or Bazilika sv. Jiří was founded in 920 by Prince Vratislaus I of Bohemia. It is the oldest surviving church building within Prague Castle, making it a significant landmark in the city’s historical landscape. The basilica’s foundation marked the beginning of a long and storied history, intertwined with the spread of Christianity in Bohemia.
Basilica of St. George Architecture
Primarily Romanesque in style, the basilica’s architecture is a blend of various periods and influences. The original structure, completed in 921, was expanded in 973 with the addition of the Benedictine St. George’s Abbey.
The basilica suffered significant damage during a fire in 1142 but was meticulously rebuilt, retaining its Romanesque charm. The Baroque façade, added in the late 17th century, adds a layer of grandeur to the basilica’s exterior.
Sacred Spaces and Artistic Treasures
Inside the basilica, visitors are greeted by an austere yet monumental Romanesque interior. The main nave houses the tombs of members of the Premyslid dynasty, including Prince Vratislaus and Duchess Ludmila, Bohemia’s first martyr. The chapel dedicated to St. Ludmila, added in the 13th century, is a highlight, featuring Gothic elements and a serene atmosphere.
A Living Monument
The Basilica of St. George is open to visitors year-round, with extended hours from April to October. It is easily accessible by public transportation, with several tram stops and metro stations nearby. A visit to this ancient church offers a profound connection to Prague’s spiritual and architectural heritage, making it a must-see for history enthusiasts and casual tourists alike.
Sternberg Palace Prague (Šternberský palác)
Franz Josef Sternberg founded the Society of Patriotic Friends of the Arts in Bohemia in 1796. Fellow noblemen would lend their finest pictures and sculpture to the society, which had its headquarters in the early 18th century Sternberg Palace. Since 1949, the fine Baroque building houses house the National Gallery’s collection of European art, with its superb range of Old Masters.
Address | Hradčanské nám. 57/15, Prague Castle District |
Telephone | +420 233 090 570 |
The Loreto Prague
Ever since its construction in 1626, the Loreto has been an important place of pilgrimage. Katerina of Lobkowicz, a Czech aristocrat who was very keen to promote the legend of the Santa Casa of Loreto, commissioned it.
The heart of the complex is a copy of the house believed to be the Virgin Mary’s. Cloisters enclosed the Santa Casas in 1661, and a Baroque façade 60 years later by Christoph and Kilian Ignaz Dientzenhofer. The grandiose design and miraculous stories about the Loreto were part of Ferdinand II’s campaign to convert the Czechs to Catholicism again.
Address | Loretánské nám. 100/7, Prague Castle District |
Telephone | +420 220 516 740 |
Visit The Museum Of Miniatures
The Museum of Miniatures in Prague is thought to be the only art gallery in the world where the objects on display can only be seen with the help of a magnifying glass or microscope. A caravan of camels meticulously placed inside the eye of a needle? Why not!
How about the tattooed leg of a mosquito, a work of art painted on a grain of rice, or the head of a pin transformed into a chessboard? Here visitors are at once amazed and confused, marvelling at the infinite patience and millimetres of precision an artist needs to succeed in making such a piece.
The art of the micro-miniature, in which the size of a work of art should not exceed a couple of millimetres, began to develop in the 1980s. Its main characteristic is the inability of this art to be seen with the naked eye. The classic ‘canvases’ every micro-miniaturist should master are the pinhead, grain of rice, and human hair.
Shoeing a flea is mere child’s play for a real professional. The main difficulties artists encounter are hand tremors, blood pulsing in the fingers (meaning that artists must work between heartbeats), and static electricity (preferred materials are copper or gold).
Moreover, it might take years to develop unique technology and special instruments, while one work of art can take a whole week to create.
Among his works displayed in the museum are a tiny reproduction of Henri Matisse’s The Dance on a Sliver of Mammoth Bone and a flea in golden horseshoes. Other highlights are a 3.2-millimetre-tall Eiffel Tower made of a cherry pit and the world’s smallest book – a 30-page edition of Anton Chekhov’s The Chameleon measuring just 0.9 x 0.9 millimetres.
Martinic Palace Prague (Martinický palác)
In the course of restoring the Martinic Palace in the early 1970’s, workmen uncovered the original 16th century facade decorated with ornate cream and brown decorations. It depicts Old testament scenes, including the story of Joseph and Potiphar’s wife. More ornaments in the courtyard show the story of Samson and the Labors of Hercules.
Jaroslav Bořita of Martinice enlarged the Martinic Palace, who was one of the imperial governors thrown from a window of the Royal Palace in 1618.
According to an old legend, between 11 pm and midnight, the ghost of a fiery black dog appears at the palace and accompanies walkers as far as the Loreto, where it disappears again. Today the palace houses the city architecture department.
Address | Hradčanské náměstí 67/8, Prague Castle District |
Telephone | +420 608 361 053 |
Capuchin Monastery Prague (Kapucínský klášter)
Bohemia’s first Capuchin monastery emerged here in 1600. It’s connected to the neighboring Loreto by an overhead roofed passage. Attached to the monastery is the Church of Our Lady Queen of Angles. This is a single-nave building with plain furnishings, typical of the ascetic Capuchin order.
Address | Loretánské nám. 99/6, Prague Castle District |
Telephone | +420 222 765 450 |
Czernin Palace Prague Castle District (Černínský palác)
Cernin Palace was built in 1668 for Count Černín of Chudenice, the Imperial Ambassador to Venice. The palace is 150 meters (500 ft) long with a row of 30 massive Corinthian half-columns running the length of its upper floors.
The palace towers over the attractive small square that lies between it and the Loreto. The huge building suffered as a result of its prominent place on one of Prague’s highest hills. The French looted it in 1742 and badly damaged in the Prussian bombardment of the city in 1757.
In 1851 the impoverished Černín family sold the palace to the state and it became a barracks. After Czechoslovakia’s creation in 1918 the palace was restored to its original design. It became the building of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. A few days after the Communist Coup in 1948 the Foreign Minister, Jan Masaryk, died as the result of a fall from a top-floor window of the palace.
Address | Loretánské nám. 5, Prague |
Getting Around In Prague
Hop-on Hop-off Bus Prague
Big Bus Tours offers sightseeing tours of Prague on a double-decker bus or a single-decker bus across our two routes. During your tour, you can listen to our complimentary, pre-recorded commentary available in 24 languages to learn fascinating facts and stories about Prague.
You can hop on and hop off the bus at any stop to visit attractions and places of interest, or you’re welcome to sit back and relax for the entire tour!