Everything you must know before visiting Prague Castle

Why Visit Prague Castle

Prague Castle, is the largest castle complex in the world and is 600 meters long. More than a castle, it is like a mini-city with multiple buildings and roads, all encompassed within a fortified wall. One of the most striking and eye-catching features of this castle is that it has a blend of architectural styles. It showcases and represents almost every architectural style and technique used in the last millenium. From the Gothic styled Old Royal Palace to the Romanesque Basilica of St. George to the Renaissance inspired Summer Palace, Belvedere, one can experience the history of this land within the castle complex itself.

This castle has been the seat of power for various monarchs including several Kings of Bohemia, Roman emperors, and since 1918, the official office of the President of Czech Republic. Even the infamous Adolf Hitler spent a night here in 1939, during the Nazi invasion.

This UNESCO World Heritage Site has three courtyards, four churches, and several other important structures and buildings within its complex. Your Prague Castle tickets will help you explore this gorgeous complex and everything within it.

St. Vitus Cathedral

Considered the most important church in the country, the Metropolitan Cathedral of Saint Vitus was built in 1344 by Charles IV, who was the first Bohemian King to become Holy Roman Emperor. This church is a fine example of Gothic and Neo-Gothic architecture with its ornate vaulting and narrow aisles. Apart from being a place of worship, this cathedral was also used for the coronation of several Czech kings and queens, including King Ferdinand V. It is also the burial place of several archbishops and patron saints.

The most outstanding aspect of this Cathedral is the St. Wenceslas Chapel, which contains the relics of the saint, constructed by Peter Parler. In the south-west corner of the chapel, behind a heavily-locked door, lie the Bohemian Coronation Jewels, including the St. Wenceslas Crown, which are open to the public only once every 8 years.

Old Royal Palace

One of the oldest parts of Prague Castle, this Gothic and Renaissance inspired structure was the king’s own palace between 13th-16th century. In the palace is the great Vladislav Hall, named after the king who constructed it - Vladislav Jagiello. It was the biggest hall of its kind in medieval Prague and was used to hold banquets, councils, coronation festivities, and even jousting tournaments, as made evident by the Riders’ Staircase on the northern side. The hall is characterised by the large Italian windows, which are the oldest pieces of Renaissance architecture outside of Italy.

This Palace also houses the All Saints Chapel, which was a Romanesque building made in the 12th century. However, it was badly damaged by a fire in 1541, after which it was rebuilt and integrated with the Vladislav Hall. This chapel holds the tomb of St. Procopius, and is open to the public during religious services and festivals.

St. George's Basilica

This is Prague’s second oldest church and perhaps its most important Romanesque monument. Built in 920 by Vratislaus of Bohemia, this structure, too, succumbed to a fire in 1142, and was subsequently rebuilt. What we see today is a work of the early Baroque years in Prague. Within the basilica is a Gothic style Chapel that was consecrated in remembrance of Ludmila of Bohemia, whose tomb lies here. Today, the Basilica also houses Bohemian Gothic art, and Baroque and Rudolphian period art.

Great South Tower

The tower of the St. Vitus Cathedral was founded in the 14th century, but was later rebuilt in the 16th and 18th centuries. This nearly 100 meter tower provides excellent views of the city, but only to those who are willing to climb to its summit, atop 290 steps. Apart from the great view, the tower also houses the Zikmund - a bell weighing 15 tons, the biggest in the country. The entrance to this tower is in the third courtyard.

Golden Lane

This is a street situated within the castle complex, which was built during the construction of the northern wall of the castle. It was originally built to house Rudolf II’s castle guards, but was subsequently inhabited by goldsmiths, hence the name. One of the main reasons for its fame is Franz Kafka. The esteemed novelist and short-story writer, who was one of the major figures of 20th century literature, resided in house number 22 for 2 years, during the first World War. Another eminent resident of this lane was Jaroslav Seifert, a future Nobel Prize recipient. Currently, many of the houses are used as souvenir shops.