Prague Castle

The history of the castle dates back to 880 AD. It was built in four stages up to the 12th century. Over the centuries, the castle was altered again and again by generations of builders. Not only the various architectural styles, but also the many different residents and their demands during their residence left their mark. The castle is a witness to political intrigues, cultural upheavals, and royal splendor.

The Hradschin Hill, on which the castle stands, served as the seat of the Bohemian kings and later two emperors of the Holy Roman Empire. It was one of the power centers of the Habsburgs for 400 years and has been the residence of the Czechoslovak presidents since 1919.

Since 1925, archaeologists have been excavating to get to the bottom of the castle's history.

Nowadays, Prague Castle is not just a historical monument, but also a vibrant center. With over 1.8 million visitors annually, it is one of the most visited attractions in Europe. The castle serves as a symbol for the Czech nation and is the official residence of the President. Its historical significance is carried forward through cultural events, exhibitions, and festivals, thus blending the past with the present.

Prague Castle is a testament to the resilience of Czech history and culture. Its towers may reach into the sky, but its true greatness lies in its ability to connect generations and tell stories. Visiting this historical site, one can not only admire the impressive architecture but also capture the cultural essence of a country that has asserted itself over centuries.

The St. Vitus Cathedral is a Gothic cathedral and the largest church building in the Czech Republic. Its architecture and artistically valuable treasures make it one of the most important and well-known buildings of the Prague Castle.

The Golden Lane between the White Tower and the Tower Daliborka includes houses from the Gothic and Renaissance periods. The houses were inhabited until the Second World War. From 1916 to 1917, Franz Kafka lived temporarily in house No. 22. Today, there is an exhibition about the life in the alley during the last five centuries in the fairy-tale houses.

The Rosenberg Palace was built from 1545 - 1574 and was used by Maria Theresa from 1753 to provide for impoverished noble daughters as an institute for noblewomen. That's why the palace is also called Theresian Noble Ladies' Institute today.

The Toy Museum in the former Counts' Palace now comprises the world's largest private toy collection.

The Lobkowicz Baroque Palace is still owned by the Lobkowicz noble family today. Part of the art collection and personal items of the Lobkowicz family are kept in the museum. The collection includes paintings by world-famous painters, musical instruments, and manuscripts from composers like Mozart or Beethoven. Concerts are held daily in the palace.

The Picture Gallery of Prague Castle dates back to the 16th century. The collection contains a total of 4,000 paintings. Hundreds are displayed in the permanent exhibition. The property of the castle includes works by artists such as Rubens and Titian.

In the Royal Garden of Prague Castle is the Queen Anne's Summer Palace. The Renaissance building, constructed by Emperor Ferdinand I., today houses an exhibition of fine arts and artistic craftsmanship. In front of the summer house stands the bronze Singing Fountain.

In the third courtyard of Prague Castle is the tourist information centre of the capital city of Prague and is available to visitors 365 days a year.

One of the most fascinating legends is that of the so-called Defenestration - Window, which is linked to an important historical event.
The most famous Defenestration occurred in 1618, when two Catholic regents were thrown out of a window of the Prague Castle during a conflict with the Protestants. This event marked the beginning of the Thirty Years' War. Amazingly, the overthrown survived the fall from great heights. The Protestants interpreted this as a divine intervention and saw it as a sign for the protection of their cause.
The legend has it that those who had survived the defenestration were caught by angels hovering over the Hradčany Hill.

Another popular legend is the Legend of the Crown, which was supposed to bring a tragic fate. Any usurper who wants to seize power and puts on the crown is said to die within a year. This also happened to Reinhard Heydrich, who had his seat of power in the Prague Castle during World War II. He was Reichsprotektor of Bohemia and could not resist the splendor and glory of the castle and the crown, put it on, and proclaimed himself king. Not a year should pass when the tragic fate took its course. Slovak and Czech rebels ambushed Heydrich on the way to the castle. Heydrich died of his injuries shortly after. According to legend, his son also died in a traffic accident the following year.

The Golden Lane, known for its tiny, colorful houses, supposedly housed alchemists serving Emperor Rudolf II. It is said that they were looking for the Philosopher's Stone and tried to create gold. A goldsmith named Rückert is said to have succeeded in turning lead into gold. The curious statue of a winged bull marks his house.

Beneath the Prague Castle, there is allegedly a network of secret passages and tunnels. Some of these passages were created over the centuries for military reasons, while others served to discreetly move royal personalities. There is even supposed to be a tunnel leading to the Charles Bridge.

Few visitors know that St. Vitus Cathedral also serves as a stage for impressive concerts. The acoustics of the cathedral provide a unique backdrop for musical performances.

The Prague Castle actually consists of two castles – namely, the Royal Palace and the Hradčany. The Royal Palace was founded in the 9th century, while the Hradčany was added in the 12th century.

The rosette in St. Vitus Cathedral contains a mysterious number: 135. It is assumed that this refers to the year 1356, when Charles IV. transferred the relics of Saint Wenceslas into the cathedral.

In St. Vitus Cathedral, there is an impressive representation of the starry sky. The domed ceiling of the cathedral shows more than 130 gilded stars arranged in a pattern that is supposed to represent the sky over Prague on July 8, 1359.

The Prague Castle has served as a backdrop for numerous movies, including Hollywood productions like 'Mission: Impossible' and 'The Illusionist'. The impressive architecture of the castle has attracted filmmakers worldwide.

The flags on the towers of Prague Castle are not just for decoration. Depending on which flag is hoisted, one can determine whether the president is in the country or not. If the flag is flying, the president is present.

The Hradčany, part of the Prague Castle, houses a carillon that can be heard daily at 12 o'clock. It is a traditional concert consisting of Czech folk songs played by an automatic mechanism.