Prague Castle, definitely one of the most significant and interesting sights of the Czech Republic´s capital, is unmistakable and highly visible, resting on a hill above the Vltava river. The largest coherent castle complex in the world, it is not only an ancient symbol of the Czech lands but also one of the most important cultural institutions in the Czech Republic and the official residence of the President.

Since the foundation of Prague Castle, it has been developing uninterruptedly throughout the past eleven centuries. This wondrous castle complex has been the most significant national, cultural, and historical monument for Czechs, and remains a symbol of the development of the Czech state lasting for more than a thousand years.

Located in the Castle District Hradčany, Prague Castle was founded in the 9th century by Prince Bořivoj, the first historically documented member of the Premyslid Dynasty. He transferred his original seat from Levý Hradec (north of Prague) to the hill above the Vltava river. The first princely palace was most probably built out of wood.

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Where History Meets Today

The famous history of Prague Castle begins with the first stone building – the Church of the Virgin Mary, although only remnants of this can still be seen today. The second church within the Castle complex was the St. George Basilica, established by Prince Vratislav I. Prince Václav (the future famous Czech saint) had the third sanctuary built there in the 920s. The St. Vít Rotund was later (in the 11th century) rebuilt by prince Spytihněv II to a mighty basilica.

At the end of the 10th century, the significance of Prague Castle grew again, as it became not only the domicile of the head of the state but also the seat of the Prague Bishop. The first Bohemian monastery was founded by the St. George Basilica at the same time. At that time the Castle took up about six hectares. The former settlement was then rebuilt into a strong medieval castle in the Romantic era and kept growing.

The appearance of Prague Castle was very markedly affected by the Gothic era, and many changes took place during the significant era of Charles IV (King of Bohemia and Holy Roman Emperor), during whose reign the Castle became an imperial residence for the first time. The celebrated ruler had among other things, the Prague Castle fortifications strengthened and covered some of the roofs with gold-plated metal sheets (that is why Prague is often called “Gold”).

During the Renaissance era many generous constructional modifications came through, once again adding to the uniqueness of Prague Castle. In 1541 a fire greatly damaged some objects in the castle complex, but restorations were made very fast, in a way paradoxically leaving the Castle even more exquisite in the end.

During the reign of the emperor Rudolf II, Prague Castle became for the second time the center of European culture and science. Rudolf, among other things, had new premises for his famous collections built. Also, construction began on the famous Golden Lane during his reign.

Once again the castle was severely damaged in 1631, when it was seized and plundered by the Saxon army, and again by the Swedes in 1648. Extensive reconstruction followed, during the Maria Theresa era in the 18th century. She finally had Prague Castle turned into a highly representative castle complex. Several objects were also modified in relation to the stay of Ferdinand I the Good, after his abdication in 1848 and the promised coronation of Franz Joseph I in the 1860s.

After the fall of the Austro-Hungarian Empire in 1918, Prague Castle welcomed the first president of independent Czechoslovakia – Tomáš Garrigue Masaryk. And since the beginning of the 20th century, much attention was paid to archaeological research, which has brought about many findings of the Castle’s history. Research and restoration of the individual premises and objects after 1990 have been guided by the idea of revival via the greatest possible opening for the public. After the Velvet revolution (the non-violent transition of power from Communist rule to democracy in what was then Czechoslovakia), many areas of the Castle were made accessible to the public for the first time in history, including the Royal Garden, Ballgame Hall, the south gardens, and the Imperial Stables.

Today, after many hundreds of years of fascinating history, Prague Castle is the seat of the Czech president, the most important National Cultural Monument of the Czech Republic, a place of storage for many priceless art relics and historical documents, and last but not least an eminently popular target for millions of tourists from all over the world.

Main Attractions Within Prague Castle

The magnificent Prague Castle, located in the Castle District Hradčany, is the largest coherent castle complex in the world, and for the Czechs it has a huge historical, symbolic and cultural meaning, constantly growing since the current seat of the Czech President´s foundation in the 9^th century.

This UNESCO World Heritage site, covering an area of almost 70 thousand square meters, consists of a large-scale composition of palaces and ecclesiastical buildings of various architectural styles, from the remains of Romanesque-style buildings from the 10th century, through Gothic modifications of the 14th century. Thus, if you want to see the best of it, you are going to need to set aside some time for your sightseeing. Pay particular attention to the following parts of the famous complex…

Palace Gardens

Beneath Prague Castle, beautiful, terraced gardens offer refuge and tranquility. Created for the owners of the adjoining palaces, they are today one of the few quiet places in the centre of Prague.

For more information read our full article about Palace Gardens.

Old Royal Palace

The original residence building was built mostly of wood in the 9^th century and its exact location is not documented. In the 12^th century prince Soběslav had a stone Romanesque palace built right next to a new fortification wall, and remains of it have been preserved underground until the present day.

The original royal palace was adjoined on its eastern side by All Saints’ Chapel, which was consecrated in 1185.  On the site of the Romanesque palace chapel the All Saints’ Church was built by Petr Parler in the 14th century, and was magnificently decorated in the manner of Sainte Chapelle in Paris. Unfortunately, only its peripheral walls remained after the great fire of 1541. All Saints’s Church is open to the public only when religious services take place in it.

The Teresian Wing originated during the course of the reconstruction of the Castle in the 18th century, being adapted for exhibitions of creative art in 1993. The magnificent solemn room Vladislav Hall was added in the 15^th century, nowadays being used for large public events of the Bohemian monarchy and the modern Czech state.

St. Vitus Cathedral

The largest temple in Prague is the place where the coronations of Czech kings and queens took place. It is also, of course, of huge religious importance, being among other things the burial place of several patron saints and archbishops.

For more information read our full article about St. Vitus Cathedral.

St. George’s Basilica

The second church built in the Prague Castle complex is unfortunately not completely preserved today, but one can still see the parts of the building that were founded in 920 by Prince Vratislav I. In 973, when the convent of Benedictine nuns was founded, the church was enlarged and reconstructed.

The current appearance of St. George’s Basilica is Romanesque, with a main apse and two steeples. The interior is austere and monumental. In the main nave the tombs of the members of the ruling Premyslid Dynasty are situated, one of them belonging to prince Vratislav, father of St. Wenceslas.

The Picture Gallery

The permanent exhibition in The Picture Gallery at Prague Castle is a showcase of collections of European paintings from the 15th to 18th century. The oldest Picture Gallery in the Czech lands, it displays among others several works from famous Rudolfine collections. Apart from the permanent exhibition there are many cultural events that regularly take place in The Picture Gallery.

Rosenberg Palace

The originally Renaissance palace was built by the Rosenberg family in the 16^th century and became the property of the emperor Rudolf II in 1600. It remained in its original form until the 18th century, when it was radically rebuilt to house the Institute of Noblewomen (a home for aristocratic ladies fallen on hard times, founded by Empress Maria Theresa in 1755). Between years 1996 and 2007, the Rosenberg Palace was renovated to a Baroque look. Nowadays, part of it houses an exhibition about the life of the Institute of Noblewomen.

Golden Lane

Golden Lane, an ancient street within the Prague Castle complex, dates from the 15th century. It consists of charming, small, coloured houses. Many famous personalities stayed there in the past, for example Franz Kafka and Jaroslav Seifert, winner of the Nobel Prize for Literature. According to legends it was also connected to alchemists, searching among other things for ways to manufacture gold (hence the name). Nowadays it is mainly occupied by galleries and gift shops and is very popular among tourists, especially for its colourful, almost fairy-tale-esque look and absolutely unique atmosphere, echoing long gone eras.

Old Castle Stairs

The Old Castle Stairs (sometimes also called The Old Castle Steps), lead up to the eastern gate of Prague Castle. Their origin dates back to the 16th century, and from these beautiful stairs there is a wonderful view of almost the whole city of Prague. That is one of the reasons that they are the most frequently used route to (or from) Prague Castle by tourists. They stem from the street “Pod Bruskou” (close to Malostranská tram and metro station). When making your decision whether to use it for the way up, or down, remember to take into consideration your physical condition, since it is around 230 metres long with over 120 steps…

Lobkowicz Palace

Lobkowicz Palace, the only privately owned building in the Prague Castle complex, is among other things home to the highly acclaimed Lobkowicz Collections and Museum.

For more information read our full article about Lobkowicz Palace.

Virtual Tour of the Prague Castle Complex

On the official Prague castle website you can also take a nice virtual tour of the whole complex, including the courtyards, gardens, Golden Lane, St. Vitus Cathedral and many more.

Conclusion

Prague Castle can get very busy, especially during weekends and holidays. Allow at least 2–3 hours to explore the main highlights, or longer if you want to visit the gardens and museums in detail. Security checks are in place at all entrances, so expect short queues.

Photography is allowed in most outdoor areas but may be restricted inside certain buildings. Dress comfortably and wear good walking shoes, as the grounds are extensive and include cobblestone paths.

Prague Castle is a living monument to Czech history and culture. Whether you’re a history buff, architecture lover, or simply looking for the best views in Prague, this iconic site should be at the top of your itinerary.

Five Honest Tips for Visiting Prague Castle

1. Visit After Dark: Experience the castle illuminated at night for magnificent views and a peaceful atmosphere with almost no crowds.
2. Buy Tickets Online: Save time by purchasing your tickets in advance from the official website.‍
3. Dine at Kuchyn Restaurant: Enjoy amazing views, great beer, and traditional Czech food of the highest quality at Kuchyn, located right by the castle.
4. Watch the Changing of the Guard: Time your visit to catch the noon ceremony for a memorable experience.‍
5. Explore the Gardens: Don’t miss the castle gardens for stunning views and a break from the crowds.