Prague Castle sits on top of the largest castle area in the world. It consists of three courtyards and a number of magnificent buildings covering over 18 acres of land. When you come here, be prepared to see a lot and wear your most comfortable walking shoes. Depending on how much time you allocate for this visit and also your interests, you can pick and choose which interiors to visit and which to skip.

History
The Prague Castle (or in Czech: Pražský hrad) was founded around 880 AD by prince Bořivoj of the Premyslid dynasty. The first stone building to be built on the Prague Castle region was the Church of the Virgin Mary of which only remnants can be seen today. The St. George’s Convent was established in the 10th century which now houses a gallery. There is also the St. Vitus Cathedral which was built in the 11th century in honr of St. Vitus Rotunda. The Prague Castle served as the seat of Czech princes kings and also as the seat of the Prague bishop.

During the reign of Charles IV (1346-1378) when it became the seat of the Holy Roman Emperor, the Prague Castle experienced one of its greatest periods in history. Because of this, the Royal Palace was rebuilt, fortifications were strengthened, and the construction of St. Vitus Cathedral started.

This expansion of the castle continued well into the reign of Charles’ son: Wenceslas IV. But because of the the Hussite wars (1419 - 1437) and the subsequent decades afterwards, the castle was abandoned and thus lead to its deterioration.

But there was still hope. King Wladislaw Jagellon moved into the Castle after 1483 and the castle was renovated once again. New fortifications and guard towers were built: the Powder Tower, New White Tower, and Daliborka. The Royal Palace expanded even more by the creation of the grandiose Wladislaw Hall, one of the first demonstrations of the Renaissance style in the Czech lands.

The Renaissance style in buildings soon caught on, especially after the Habsburg dynasty took over the Czech throne in 1526. After the seat of power moved to Vienna, the Prague Castle served mainly for recreational purposes: the Royal Garden was built and other entertainment sites such as the Belvedere and Ballgame Hall were added in the 16th century. New residential buildings were built to the west of the Old Royal Palace along with Cathedral and Royal Palace being modified.

The reconstruction of the Prague castle continued even further during the reign of Holy Roman Emperor Rudolf II. He became the Czech king in 1575 and moved his court back to Prague. Rudolf II wanted to turn the castle into an elegant center of power to attract foreign artists, scientists and diplomats. He added the north wing of the Palace and the Spanish Hall to house the emperor’s vast collections of art and science.

Things started to spiral downwards when the Prague Defenestration of 1618 caused a long period of wars. During this time, the Prague Castle was damaged and looted and rarely served as the seat of power.

The last major reconstruction of the Prague Castle took place in the second half of the 18th century. During this time it took on a style of a chateau. But unfortunately, the castle still continued to deteriorate because the seat of power was in Vienna again.

There were a few minor reconstructions later in more recent years. In 1848, emperor Ferdinand V moved to the Prague Castle and the Chapel of the Holy Cross on the Second Courtyard was rebuilt. The Spanish Hall and Rudolf’s Gallery was also remodeled during that time.

After the fall of the Austro-Hungarian empire in 1918, the Prague Castle welcomed the first president of independent Czechoslovakia, Tomáš Garrigue Masaryk. Parts of the castle still needed remodeling and this was commissioned to the Slovenian architect Josip Plečnik. With the help of Plečnik, the construction of St. Vitus Cathedral was finished in 1929.

After the Revolutions of 1989, many areas of the castle were soon made accessible to the public for the first time in history. First being the Royal Garden, then the Ballgame Hall, the south gardens, and the Imperial Stables.

In the present day, the Prague Castle is the seat of the Czech president and also the most important National Cultural Monument of the Czech Republic. There are a number of priceless art relics, historical documents, as well as the Czech Crown Jewels stored in the castle.

Getting There

Getting There on Foot

Nerudova street - walk up the picturesque but quite steep Nerudova street from Malostranské náměstí. At the top take a sharp right onto Ke Hradu. You will end up in front of the main entrance to the Castle.

Castle Stairs (Zámecké schody) - start up Nerudova from Malostranské náměstí and take a quick right onto Zámecká street. Turn left to climb the romantic Castle Stairs, which will take you to the Garden on the Ramparts (Zahrada na Valech).

Old Castle Stairs (Staré zámecké schody) - the stairs start near the Malostranská metro station and will put you at the beginning of Jiřská street. You will be rewarded with one of the most beautiful views of Prague.

Getting There by Tram

Taking the tram will save you a walk uphill or up the stairs, and the ride is quite scenic. Take tram 22 or 23 (e.g. from Národní třída or the Malostranská metro station) and get off at one of these stops:

Královský letohrádek - if you get off here, you can start with the Royal Garden, Belveder and Ballgame Hall, then cross the Deer Moat bridge to get to the Second Courtyard
Note: The Royal Garden and Deer Moat are closed from November through March

Pražský hrad - as its name suggests, this is considered the main Prague Castle stop. Get off here if you would like to start at the Second Courtyard.

Pohořelec - getting off here will enable you to walk to the Castle through Hradčany and arrive at the main entrance. Probably the nicest route (and our favorite).

Tip: Take the tram up to the Castle and then walk back down when you’re done so that you’re not super tired by the end of the day.

Opening Hours

Summer season (March 26 - October 31)

Exteriors: Daily 5 a.m. - midnight
Interiors: Daily 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
(St. Vitus Cathedral, Old Royal Palace, St. George’s Basilica, Powder Tower, Golden Lane, Daliborka Tower)
Prague Castle gardens and Deer Moat: Daily 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.

Winter season (November 1 - March 25)

Exteriors: 6 a.m. - 11 p.m.
Interiors: 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.
(St. Vitus Cathedral, Old Royal Palace, St. George’s Basilica, Powder Tower, Golden Lane, Daliborka Tower)
Prague Castle gardens and Deer Moat: Closed

Closed on December 24 (Christmas Eve)

Admission

Tickets can be purchased at the ticket counters or at the Prague Castle Information Center on the Third Courtyard (open daily 9.00 - 17.00/16.00 in winter). Each ticket is valid for two days. Admission to St. Vitus Cathedral is not included in any of the routes. A separate fee of 100 CZK/person is charged to visit the cathedral.

Note: The prices below are valid as of September 2006 and are subject to change. Reduced admission refers to children aged 6 - 16, students, members of the army, handicapped persons, senior citizens, gallery and museum employees.

Route A: Old Royal Palace, ‘The Story of Prague Castle’ Exhibition, Prague Castle Picture Gallery, St. George’s Basilica, St. George’s Convent - National Gallery, Golden Lane & Daliborka Tower
Full: 350 Kč
Reduced: 175 Kč
Family (2 adults and at least 1 child): 520 Kč
Free: children under 6

Route B: Old Royal Palace, Golden Lane & Daliborka Tower
Full: 220 Kč
Reduced: 110 Kč
Family (2 adults and at least 1 child): 330 Kč
Free: children under 6

Route C: Golden Lane & Daliborka Tower
Full: 50 Kč
Reduced: —
Family (2 adults and at least 1 child): 100 Kč
Free: children under 6

Route D: St. George’s Basilica
Full: 50 Kč
Reduced: 25 Kč
Family (2 adults and at least 1 child): 100 Kč
Free: children under 6

Route E: Prague Castle Picture Gallery
Full: 150 Kč
Reduced: 80 Kč
Family (2 adults and at least 1 child): 200 Kč
Free: children under 6

Route F: St. George’s Convent - National Gallery
Full: 100 Kč
Reduced: 50 Kč
Family (2 adults and at least 1 child): 150 Kč
Free: children under 6

Route P: ‘The Story of Prague Castle’ Permanent Exhibition
Full: 140 Kč
Reduced: 80 Kč
Family (2 adults and at least 1 child): 260 Kč
Free: children under 6

The following monuments are wheelchair accessible:

Old Royal Palace - Wladislaw Hall entrance
St. George’s Basilica
Ballgame Hall
Imperial Stables
Rudolf’s Gallery and Spanish Hall
Prague Castle Picture Gallery
Prague Castle Gardens
St. Vitus Cathedral
St. Vitus Cathedral public restroom

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