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Prague Castle

Prague Castle

The largest collection of wonders in the city, Prague castle is an amalgamation of architecture from different periods. From the almost pastoral serenity of St. George's Basilica, to the awe-inspiring Gothic power of St. Vitus Cathedral, the castle has attractions for all - history and architecture plus marching soldiers and entertainment.

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Prague | Sightseeing | Prague Castle

01 Approach & Entry
There are two information centres, one in the second courtyard and one in the third. Here you can find out what time the changing of the guard takes place, buy tickets and get audio guides.
There are four ways to approach the castle. By far the best way is to take tram N°22 to the Pohořelec stop, where you start with breathtaking views of Prague from Strahov Monastery; then walk down through beautiful Hradčanská district along Loretánská towards the main castle entrance on Hradčanské náměstí. You can skip the Hradčanská walk by getting off the tram earlier, at the Pražský hrad stop, from where you enter the second courtyard. Alternatively, walk up Nerudova and the steep hill from Malostranské náměstí. The worst approach is up the Staré zámecké schody steps near Malostranská metro station; these are best kept for the way down. [...]



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Praha 1, Hradčany

tel. (+420) 224 37 33 68

Buildings & Info: From 1 November - 31 March: open 09:00 - 16:00. Courtyards (admission free) open 06:00 - 23:00. Castle gardens and Jelení příkop are closed. From 1 April - 31 October: open 09:00 - 18:00. Courtyards (admission free) open 05:00 - 24:00. Castles gardens and Jeleni prikop 10:00 - 18:00.
02 Hradčany
The area known as Hradčany is actually all the buildings on the top of the hill. The first buildings date from around the year 880, but the castle's golden age came in the middle of the 14th century when it was imperial residence to Emperor Charles IV. He rebuilt the royal palace and had a [...]



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03 Schwarzenberg Palace
The most distinctive and largest of the buildings on the cobbled square sweeping into the castle is this palace with decorated bricks - are they flat? Built between 1545 -1563, the building has been home to the Museum of Military History since 1945. [...]



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Hradčanské nám. 2

Open 10:00-18:00,
Mon Closed.
04 Sternberg Palace
Sharing an entrance with the Archbishop's Palace is the Šternberský palác from 1698. It's part of the National Gallery and home to a collection of European art, including Rubens and Rembrandt. In 1991 thieves stole US$2.6 million worth of Picassos. [...]



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Hradčanské nám. 15

Open 10:00-18:00,
Mon Closed.
05 Archbishop's Palace
The early Renaissance Archbishop's Palace is not open to the public, but if you look carefully at the heraldic device on the front of the building you can spot different hats according to the rank of the church official. For instance, the archbishop is represented by a green hat with ten tasse [...]



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Hradčanské nám. 16

06 First courtyard
Pause at the castle gates to admire the soldiers' uniforms (designed by the wardrobe designer of the film Amadeus), and hopefully see the changing of the guard.  Then move into the courtyard flanking the presidential rooms, which are not open to the public. These are numerous and include the S [...]



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07 Second courtyard
Reconstructed by Empress Maria Theresa, this courtyard acts as an intersection point for two of the entrances into the castle. You can exit under the archway to reach the Stag Moat, Royal Gardens and trams N°22 and 23. [...]



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08 St. Vitus Cathedral
Moving into the third courtyard of the castle you’ll face one of Europe’s great Gothic cathedrals. St. Vitus is the spiritual heart of the nation as the mausoleum of Bohemian kings and the city’s greatest landmark. Work on the present cathedral was started in 1344 but it wasn [...]



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Open 09:00-16:00
09 Old Royal Palace
One of the oldest and most impressive parts of the castle, the Old Royal Palace dates from 1135 and was the seat of Bohemian princes. From the 13th to the 16th century it was the king's palace. The magnificent Vladislav Hall was used for banquets, councils, coronations and even jousting. All presidents have been sworn in here, and this building was where the 1618 defenestration took place. The palace contains The Story of Prague Castle exhibition. Don't forget to have a look at the Rampart Gardens below. [...]



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Open 09:00-16:00
11 Golden Lane
11 Golden Lane
The phrase 'picturesque street' might have been invented to describe this tiny cobbled lane with its miniature workers' cottages - now shops. It was on this street, or so legend has it, that 16th-century alchemists laboured to discover the Philosopher's Stone to make gold from lead. Franz Kafka spe [...]



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Open 09:00-16:00
12 Daliborka Tower
Built in 1496 and used as a prison till the end of 18th century, the tower stands on your left as you exit the Golden Lane. It is so named for its first prisoner, Dalibor of Kozojedy, whose story was told by Smetana in his 1868 opera Dalibor. The underground cell is truly terrifying. [...]



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Open 09:00-16:00
13 Royal Gardens & Stag Moat
13 Royal Gardens & Stag Moat
North of the castle walls are a succession of orderly and manicured gardens. They were first laid out in 1534 and are home to the Míčovna or Ball Game Hall, the most ornate sports centre we've ever seen. Further along the eastern edge of the castle area you can find the Renaissance summer palace (Královský letohrádek), where Europe's first tulips, a present from Turkey, were cultivated. The views over the castle and city are great from here.
The Stag Moat (Jelení příkop, open 09:00 - 16:00) below the ramparts of the castle was reopened to the general public by President Vaclav Havel. Despite the name there hasn't been a stag here since ravenous soldiers gobbled up the last of them by the 17th century. The walk, which in parts can be more of a clamber, is worth it for the whole new view of the castle from the gardens. It also takes you past tennis courts, enjoyed by castle employees, and through a beautifully designed and lit tunnel.
The gardens on the southern side of the castle can be entered via steps to the right of the main castle gate. The main garden on the southern side is the ramparts garden (Zahrada Na Valech), which overlooks Malá Strana. The Rampart Gardens are bordered to the west by the Paradise Garden (Rajská zahrada) and on the south to the Hartig Garden (Hartigovská zahrada), which surrounds the Music Pavilion (Hudební pavilon). In the 1920s and 30s the Rampart Gardens were redesigned by Slovenian architect Josip Plečnik. Unfortunately, his work was only seen for a brief time before they were closed to the spying masses, and again, Havel insisted that they be reopened. [...]



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Open 10:00-18:00Closed in winter
14 Palace Gardens
A large set of steeply terraced gardens leading up to the castle. The steep climb up to the castle is rewarded by fitness, some beautiful landscaping and stunning views of the city. [...]



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Valdštejnská 12

Open 10:00-18:00
St. George's Basilica
The basilica is the Romanesque church lurking behind a Baroque facade in the courtyard behind St. Vitus. Now deconsecrated, it serves as a concert hall. In the chapel on the right of the presbytery is the tomb of St. Ludmila, the first Czech saint. [...]



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Open 09:00-16:00