Prague Castle

Prague Castle is a large castle complex in Prague, Czech Republic and is the official residence of the President of the Czech Republic. The castle was built in the 9th century and has been expanded and renovated many times over the centuries. The castle complex includes several palaces, churches, gardens, and museums. It is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Visitors can now explore the castle grounds and learn about its importance. Here is everything you should know before your visit: choosing the right Prague Castle tickets, location, opening hours, what to expect, and more.

Prague Castle is a fascinating blend of architectural styles and it houses more than 100 monuments. Here are the top highlights of Prague Castle.

The Gothic Vladislav Hall is one of the most impressive parts of Prague Castle. It was built in the 15th century and is home to spectacular ceiling frescoes by the Renaissance painter, Pavel de Brazza. The hall is named after King Vladislaus II, who was responsible for its construction. It is used for state functions and important ceremonies, such as coronations and the crowning of new kings.

Built in the 18th century, the basilica is adorned with the largest panel of Anton Raphael Mengs’ Baroque altar painting that depicts the martyrdom of St. George. The Basilica of St. George is located on the north side of Prague Castle and is one of the largest in the Czech Republic. It was built between 1703 to 1735 and is dedicated to St George’s honour and piety. Must-see here is the basilica’s Baroque interior with painted frescoes and a beautiful ceiling fresco.

This is the largest and most important church in Prague. It dates back to the 14th century and contains the tombs of St. Wenceslas and St Sigismund. The St. Vitus Cathedral dominates the castle complex with its massive twin towers. It is the only cathedral in the country that was spared destruction during the Hussite wars. St. Vitus is also the home to the iconic Czech crown jewels and the Bohemian crown jewels.

Built in the 15th century, the Daliborka Tower is the only original Gothic building left in the Prague Castle. It is also known as "Hell's Hole" because it was used for imprisoning captives during the reign of King Wenceslas IV, who tortured them by having them stand up to their necks in water, and placing a red-hot crown on their heads. Daliborka Tower is the place where Dalibor, a real knight from the 15th century, was imprisoned by King Wenceslas IV.

The Old Royal Palace was the seat of Bohemian kings from the 13th to the 16th century. In the 14th century, it was the largest palace of its kind in Central Europe. It was destroyed by fire in 1541 and it has been used as a source for stone material ever since. Parts of the old Royal palace can be seen in the courtyard of Prague Castle. The old Royal Palace is presently closed to visitors for renovation. Visitors can view the exterior of the old Royal Palace from Krcmery Steps opposite the Powder Tower.

As one of the most popular cities in Europe, there’s plenty of things to do in Prague. Here are the top few:

At first glance, Vysehrad Castle may seem like nothing more than an empty ruin situated high above the city overlooking the Vltava River. However, this place has a long and interesting history. It once served as one of the main fortresses defending the city of Prague, and was also used as both a prison and the residence of Czech royalty. Today visitors can explore the ruins of the fortress, as well as its beautiful gardens and cemetery, and enjoy the view from the top. Book Vysehrad Castle tickets.

This clock was first installed in 1410, making it one of the oldest astronomical clocks in the world. Its unique features include a rotating zodiac ring, a display of the time, and a procession of Marian figurines. The astronomical clock is also famously accurate, having lost only one minute of time in the last 600 years. Visitors to Prague can visit the astronomical clock in the Old Town Hall, where it is on display in a beautiful Gothic tower. Book Prague Astronomical clock tickets.

Terezin was an infamous concentration camp in Czechoslovakia. It was closed down in May 1945 after the end of WWII. The conditions were said to be extremely harsh and around 33,000 people died at Terezin from starvation, sickness and executions. From the outside, Terezin looked like an ordinary town and was nicknamed "The Little Fortress". When the Soviet army liberated Terezin in 1945, they found only around 15,000 survivors. Terezin Concentration Camp tours are a terrifying reminder of the horrors of the Holocaust.

One of the lesser-known tourist attractions in Prague are the town's ghost tours. They are a unique way to learn about the city's dark past and explore some of its most haunted locations. On these tours, you will visit haunted locations such as churches, prisons and cemeteries, while your guide shares fascinating, spine-tingling tales. Book Prague Ghost tours.