1475 to 1488: a royal gate left unfinished
The foundation-stone phase began in 1475, when Prague pushed for a representative late-Gothic entrance on the route toward coronation ceremonies. By 1488, work was still unfinished, which already gave the structure its long, interrupted building story.
1592 and later restorations
Construction activity resumed in 1592, and the monument then passed through multiple restoration waves, including major 20th-century interventions and post-1990s repairs. The official 550-year anniversary framing in 2025 underlines how the tower has stayed central to Prague's historical identity.
What to notice when you look up
Look for the dark stone massing, sculptural decoration, and the gate's defensive profile, then compare that with the open-view payoff from the gallery. In practical terms, the tower's 65 m (213 ft) height and 44 m (144 ft) viewing level turn a short climb into one of the clearest roofline perspectives in central Prague.