Prague Castle tour
Prague Castle is an ancient symbol of the Czech state and the most significant national historical monument. According to the Guinness Book of Records, Prague Castle is the largest coherent castle complex in the world and also it is part of the UNESCO World Heritage List. The Castle consists of a large-scale composition of palaces and ecclesiastical buildings of manifold architectural styles from the 10th century till the present time. Besides being the seat of the head of state, Prague Castle is also the place where the Crown Jewels of Czech kings are kept together with precious Christian relics, art treasures and historical documents and where Czech kings and patron saints are buried. Between the Castle walls events important for the whole country took and take place.
Programme for halfday tour (4hrs)
- guide at the hotel for transfer to Prague Castle – Pohořelec, either by public transport or by our coach
- walking tour of Prague Castle – visit to St.Vitus Cathedral, Old-Royal Palace, St. George´s Basilica, Golden Lane
- continue to Malostranska square and over the Charles Bridge to the Old Town, end of the tour
St. Vitus Cathedral
It´s the largest and the most important temple in Prague. Apart from religious services, coronations of Czech kings and queens also took place here. The cathedral is a place of burial of several patron saints, sovereigns, noblemen and archbishops.
Old Royal Palace
The original residence building, mostly wooden, was built at Prague Castle already at the turn of the 9th and 10th century. Its exact location is not documented. It was prince Soběslav in the 12th century who had a stone Romanesque palace built right next to a new fortification wall. Remains of it have been preserved in the underground till the present times. The palace was adjoined on its eastern side by All Saints´Chapel, which was consecrated in 1185.
St. George’s Basilica
originated as the second church at Prague Castle. Only parts of the building, founded about 920 by Prince Vratislav I. have been preserved. When the convent of Benedictine nuns was founded in 973, the church was enlarged and reconstructed.
Golden Lane
The Golden Lane originated after the construction of a new northern wall of the Castle. The area of the northern bailey was used for the building of modest dwellings, which are now the last remainder of the small-scale architecture of Prague Castle.
Photo: Prague.eu