Castle District Sights | Prague Sightseeing
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Prague Castle. It is as forbidding as it is magnificent with its violent stone giants greeting you at the front gate, the glorious St. Vitus, and the macabre stories about Alchemist Lane and the Hunger Tower. It is the largest functioning castle in the world, and it is a beauty at that. The area around the castle, called Hradcany, is lovely as well, with many wondrous palaces such as Schwarzenberg and Sternberg (housing Art exhibitions), the soothing Strahov Monastery and its historical libraries, and the intriguing Loreta Square, where the pilgrimage church of Loreta houses a replica of the house of the Virgin Mary, while the Cernin Palace across the square served as the SS Headquarters during 1939 to 1945. This atmospheric district is peaceful compared to Old Town and Mala Strana and provides absolutely amazing views of Prague.
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Prague Castle
Prague Castle is the centerpiece of every Prague panorama. It overlooks the city and demands admiration. If you ever find yourself in Prague during summer dusk make sure to take a look at the sun setting behind St. Vitus Cathedral. The view is almost biblical. This complex dates back to the earliest history of Prague and is an important political and cultural venue in Czech history. Based on archeological research, the beginning of...
St. Vitus
The Holy Roman Emperor Charles IV commissioned the construction and design of St. Vitus to Frenchman Matthias of Arras in 1344 and after the passing of Matthias to Peter Parler in 1356. Matthias of Arras drew inspiration from French cathedrals, while Peter Parler wished to build a structure unlike any other he has witnessed. St. Vitus is a grand example of Gothic architecture in the city of Prague and yet another testimonial to the...
The Basilica of St. George
The Basilica of St. George is the finest example of Romanesque architecture remaining in the great city of Prague. The basilica was partially damaged by fire in 1142 and the main apse and twin steeples were added after. Although the facade of the basilica was renovated in the 17th century in the Baroque style, elements of the Romanesque still exist in the interior as well, results of a meticulous restoration between 1887 and 1908....
Prague Castle Picture Gallery
The looming omnipresence of Prague Castle casts a magical spell over Prague and its citizens. The seat of power for over a thousand years and the largest working castle in the world, this cultural sight is unforgettable and a fantastic way to become acquainted with Czech culture. Spend a day exploring the sprawling castle, you will not be disappointed, as the...
The Royal Summer Palace
In the lovely Royal Garden sits the most magnificent example of Renaissance architecture this side of the River Arno, the Royal Summer Palace, or the often-called Queen Anne's Summer Palace. Commissioned by Ferdinand I in 1538 for his loving wife Queen Anne, the palace was designed and built by the combined efforts of Italian stonemasons, who managed the gallery and its breezy arcade and the intricate classical relief decorations,...
Ball Game Hall
Located inside the Royal Gardens, overlooking the stag moat, sits this enchanting Renaissance building with an even more bewitching history. First built by Bonifaz Wohlmut and Ulrico Aostali in the mid 16th century to serve as the Royal game hall for an early form of tennis and badminton, the facade of the Ball Game Hall was decorated with impressive sgraffiti (depicting the Virtues, the Four Elements, and the Liberal Arts) and featured...
Strahov Monastery Brewery
Perched atop the city part of the Strahov Monastery compound and the lush surrounding Petrin Hill, the Stahov Brewery is a delightful find in the bustling city of Prague. Just steps from the massive Prague Castle complex, the microbrewery serves about six variations of St. Norbert beer and the brews are all delicious and fresh with crisp hints of unique flavors. The unfiltered and unfermented brews include a bitter amber blend that...
Castle and Palace Gardens
Leading down from Prague Castle on the southern slopes are the Castle Gardens, formerly the Royal Vineyards, and 5 palace gardens (Ledeburg Garden, Palffy Garden, Greater Palffy Garden, Kolovrat Garden and Furstenberg Garden), all of which are connected and form terraced gardens. The effect is a gorgeous chain of lavish manicured gardens that are simply a colorful splendid sight. Take a break from sightseeing and roam the romantic...
The Supreme Burgrave House
The wondrous exhibition titled 1000 Years of Incan Gold is currently on display at the Supreme House of the Burgrave. This small, but priceless exhibition is a display of jewelry (huge earrings, massive golden beads, nose pieces), tools, cups, and other household objects, such as golden tweezers. These fascinating objects are displayed in lit up glass showcases with educational and historical texts (in Czech and English)...
Hradčanské Náměstí
Hradčanské Náměstí, or Hradčanské Square, in Prague's Castle District, is one of those impressive squares that embodies all of the charm, grandeur, and allure of Europe. Steeped in history, Hradčanské Náměstí is the all-in-one scene of some of the most impressive palaces in Prague, such as the Archbishop's...
The Toy Museum
Located in part of the Chambers of the Old Count in Prague Castle, the Toy Museum in Prague is very entertaining for children and adults alike. 7 rooms on two floors display toys from Greek times to current times, along with a huge Barbie collection upstairs. Apparently this museum is the 2nd largest of its kind in the world. The collection of the filmmaker and cartoonist Ivan Steiger is on display, featuring wood and tin toys. Traditional...
Lobkowicz Palace
Located in the Prague Castle Complex, the Lobkowicz Palace houses one of the most interesting private collections in Europe. Czech Nobleman Jaroslav of Pernstejn built the beautiful palace in the mid 16th century and this is where the Lobkowicz dynasty would begin. The Lobkowicz family dates back to the 14th century and they are one of the oldest Bohemian families. Over the centuries the noble family and the palace have played a significant...
Schwarzenberg Palace
Newly renovated and more beautiful than ever, Schwarzenberg Palace, located on Hradcanske Square, is one of the best examples of Renaissance architecture in Prague. It is easily recognizable due to the dramatic black and white sgraffito decorations all over the facade of the building. Due to a massive fire in 1541, the three buildings that occupied the original lot of the palace burned down. The wealthy nobleman Jan Popel of Lobkowicz,...
Palace of the Archbishop
In 1420 a mob of angry Hussites burned down the original palace of the Archbishop, leaving ruins of what was. Ferdinand I of the Habsburg dynasty decided to build a new structure to take place of the original palace and commissioned the new Archbishop Palace, first built in the style of the Renaissance, then Baroque, then in the 18th century the palace was rebuilt in the Rococo style. Standing guard over the entrance to Prague Castle...
The Sternberg Palace
Located off of Hradcanske Square is this lovely Baroque palace. It is hidden behind the Rococo palace of the Archbishop; notice the narrow lane leading to the side entrance of the palace. Walk down the cobblestone lane and enter through a massive wrought iron gate into the grand world of the aristocratic Sternberg family. Built between 1697 and 1701 for Count Wenceslas Adalbert of Sternberg, the palace is now used to house the old...
St. George's Convent - National Gallery
Situated in St. George's Convent in the gorgeous complex of ancient structures that make up the Prague Castle complex is the National Gallery’s collection of 19th century art in Bohemia (from 1790 – 1910). The start of the exhibition showcases the social links between 18th century artists by comparing their works. The comparison takes place between Norbert Grund, František Xaver Procházka, Christian Seckel and Ludvík Kohl....
The Loreta
The Baroque Loreta in Prague was commisioned by Baroness Beligna Katherina von Lobkowicz in 1626 and was maintained by the Capuchins, an order connected with St. Francis of Assisi and his brotherhood. This gorgeous gem has been the site of numerous pilgrimages over the past centuries, and it is easy to understand why. The building was built to promote the legend of Santa Casa, or the house of the Virgin Mary, a copy decorated with...
Cernin Palace
The longest Baroque building in Prague, the Cernin Palace has quite an interesting political past. Built in the early Baroque style (designed by Francesco Caratti) for the Imperial Ambassador of Venice, Count Cernin, the palace was regarded as a pearl of the Baroque, complete with an impressive picture gallery with works by Renaissance masters, a decorative garden, statues in the great hall by M. B. Braun, and ceiling frescoes by...
The Deer Moat
Located next to the magnificent Prague Castle is the Deer or Stag Moat. The Deer Moat is a beautiful natural ravine made from the Brusnice Stream making it one of the most peaceful places to walk in Prague while it is conveniently and attractively situated next to Prague’s famous castle. Historically the moat used to be part of Prague Castle’s northern fortification, which helped to defend the massive complex. The Brusnice...
Strahov Monastery
Perched high above the city of a thousand spires is the second oldest monastery in Prague, the Strahov Monastery, which dates back to the 12th century. A dominant gateway showcases the entrance to the monastery, which is made up of several buildings with the Church of Assumption of our Lady and the Church of St. Roch. The peaceful atmosphere makes Strahov Monastery the perfect place for an afternoon wander or a nap under an ancient...
MIRO Gallery
MIRO Gallery, located in the Castle District and situated on the gorgeous grounds of Strahov Monastery is one of the most popular galleries in the magnificent city of Prague. The MIRO Gallery was founded in Berlin in 1987 and was moved to Prague in April of 1994, specifically to the beautiful church of St. Roch, which dates back to the Renaissance era. MIRO...
Bílek’s Villa - City Gallery Prague
In the lovely Prague Castle quarter known as Hradčany close to the Royal Summer Palace sits an Art Nouveau fairy tale villa designed by František Bílek, an architect and Art Nouveau and Symbolist sculptor. The house, which dates back to 1911, was designed by Bílek himself...
The Museum of Miniatures
This strange, eccentric museum is dedicated to Siberian Anatoly Konenko and his amazing miniatures. And amazed you will be! The museum displays works that are carved and painting, rarities and oddities such as a caravan of camels in the eye of a needle, a portrait of Chekhov on a half of a poppy seed, tiny copies of masterpieces by Leonardo da Vinci, Salvador Dali, Henri Matisse, Sandro Botticelli and Rembrandt, a 3.2mm three dimensional...
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