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Prague – Prague Castle, walking tour, 2 hours

Hradcany square – Archbishop Palace  – First Courtyard – Second Courtyard – Chapel of the Holy Cross – St.Vitus Cathedral – Old Royal Palace – St. George Church – Basilica of St.George – Highest Burgraviate – Golden Lane – Daliborka Tower – Black Tower – Old Castle Stairs – Gardens under the Castle

Hradcany square – Hradčanské square is situated in front of the main facade of the Prague Castle. The rectangular square-marketplace, in the east adjacent to the castle moat and bulwark, was the natural centre of the Hradcany quarter. The square has several entries, each of them has its rich history. Probably the most common entry is by the street Ke Hradu leading from the Nerudova street.

Archbishop’s Palace – the Archbishop’s Palace stands close to the Prague Castle. It is a huge building complex with difficult development and monumental front, that was created in 16th century. It is already the 3rd residence of the Prague archbishop.

First Courtyard of the Castle - the noble court is the main enter to the Prague Castle complex. It was built in 1763 - 1765. The courtyard is separated from the Hradčanské square by the entrance gate with a Rococco grill and monumental statues of fighting giants, below which stand the Castle guards. In the First Courtyard the welcome ceremonies and ceremonial changing of the Castle Guard take place.

Second Courtyard of the Castle - - In this Courtyard the buildings of varied age and character had survived. The layout of the courtyard was completed mainly in Emperor Rudolf II's reign. The middle of the courtyard is enlivened by a Baroque fountain. The Courtyard is connected to the First and Third Courtyards of the Prague Castle, also with Prasny Bridge and the garden Na Baste.

Chapel of the Holy Cross - The Chapel of the Holy Cross was erected in 1762 by Anselm Lurag. In the years 1852- 1858 it was modified and decorated with sculptures of St. Peter and Paul from Emanuel Max. The St. Vitus treasure has been bewared here since 1961.

St.Vitus’ Cathedral - the St. Vitus Cathedral is the most beautiful and majestic Prague church. Its history reflects the beginnings of the Christian culture in the Bohemia. It is also the Royal mausoleum and depositary of the Czech Crown Jewels.

Old Royal Palace - the Old Royal Palace, originally the princely palace, forms a complex of buildings between The Third Courtyard and Jiřska street. The construction of the complex took place during many centuries and has had several major building stages. The first part of the complex - the Romanesque palace was erected here during the 12th century. The massive Vladislav Hall was added to the Royal Palace in    the end of the fifteenth century.

Church of St. George - the church was built in sixties 14th century. The original Gothic building was rebuilt in the end of the 17th century in Baroque style and later on, in 1892 modified back to the Gothic style.

Basilica of St. George - St. George's Basilica originated as the second church at the Prague Castle. Only the foundations of the building, founded about 920 by Prince Vratislav I have been preserved. In 973, when the convent for Benedictine nuns was founded the church was enlarged and reconstructed. The interior of the basilica is Romanesque, austere and monumental. The tombs of members of the Premyslid dynasty of princes are situated in the main nave.

The Supreme Burgrave‘s house - – the palace in the Renaissance style with sgraffito plaster. The seat of the castellans and later the burgraves was evidently situated on its present site already in the Romanesque period. In the 14th century the Burgrave's House served as the temporary residence of the later king and emperor Charles IV.

Golden Lane - the Golden Lane originated after the construction of the 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. The Lane is only 230 m long.

Daliborka Tower - the round cannon tower is situated in the end of the Golden Lane. This tower formed a part of the Jagiello fortification system and its bottom floor was used as a prison from the beginning. The first and also the best-known prisoner was the knight Dalibor of Kozojedy, who was imprisoned here in 1498. Daliborka served as prison until 1781. Originally the tower was higher, only 5 floors have been preserved until now.

Black Tower - The Black Tower, built as the eastern gate of the Romanesque fortification system in 11th century, is also a part of the area of the Burgrave's House. The Black Tower is an important part of the panorama of the Prague Castle. On the western end the Castle complex is framed by the Tower of the St. Vitus Cathedral, on the eastern end – by the Black Tower.

Old Castle Stairs - the Old Castle Stairs were built in 16th century. The Old Castle Stairs lead out of the Lesser Town to eastern gate of the Prague Castle and they are aprox. 150m. long. From the both sides they are bordered by the wall. It is one of the most charming places of Prague and it offers wonderful views of Prague panorama. Nowadays it is one of the most popular and frequent ways to the Prague Castle.

Gardens under the Prague Castle - The Palace Gardens are situated on the southern slopes below the Prague Castle and connect it with the Lesser Town. There is a continuous garden belt below the southern face wall that includes Ledebur Garden, Small and Great Palffy Gardens, Kolovrat and Fürstenbeck Gardens (Ledeburská, Malá Pálffyovská, Velká Pálffyovská, Kolowratská a Fürstenberská zahrada). In the Ledendurg garden you can find a gallery.