Come with us on this exciting three-hour adventure and discover the compelling ancient history behind this enormous fortress. At 570 meters in length and an average of 130 meters in width, Pražský hrad is the biggest ancient castle in the world according to the Guinness Book of World Records, and we’ll walk and explore it all. Starting in Prague’s UNESCO-listed Old Town Square, we’ll take you on a tram ride to the top of the castle district before exploring the monasteries, breweries, palaces and stunning panoramic viewpoints of Hradčany, the Castle District.
Bringing the statues and monuments to life with spellbinding tales of myth, legend and heroism, our guide will then lead you past the famous Castle Guards and into the Prague Castle.
The oldest building which remains standing inside the castle today is St.George’s Basilica which dates back to 920AD and the most modern being the impressive St. Vitus Cathedral – celebrated as one of the finest Gothic buildings in the world – started in 1344 and completed in 1929.
With more than one-thousand years of architectural styles represented – from Romanesque to Art Nouveau, Gothic to Neo-Classical and Baroque to Renaissance – as well as the tongues and arms of Saints, you will be wowed by the fascinating history of this truly unique complex of buildings and its surrounding areas.
Meeting point: Look for the YELLOW UMBRELLAS in front of the Astronomical Clock in the Old Town Square, daily at 2pm.
The Prague Castle, an ancient symbol of the Czech lands, is the most significant Czech monument and one of the most important cultural institutions in the Czech Republic.A UNESCO World Heritage site, it consists of a large-scale composition of palaces and ecclesiastical buildings of various architectural styles, from Roman-style buildings from the 10th century through Gothic modifications in the 14th century.
The biggest, most important, most beautiful. The Gothic St. Vitus Cathedral at Prague Castle is a place of so many superlatives. Above all, it’s the spiritual symbol of the Czech nation and the resting place of Czech history’s greatest rulers. Learn the story of this fascinating architectural masterpiece which is among the most important cathedrals in Europe.
Founded in 1140 by Prince Vladislav II, Strahov Monastery is a large, impressive building located at the back of Petrin Hill and Prague Castle. This elevated area of the city offers visitors a calm oasis, somewhere to stroll around, enjoy views over the Lesser Town (and indeed the whole of Prague), and to visit one of the city's finest churches. Strahov Monastery, and its surrounding area, has a serene, meditative quality, however its library is its most important feature, which comprises one of the oldest monastic collections in the country. The library is located in the theological and philosophical halls, and is over 800 years old. Despite ransacking by invading armies, it holds 16,000 books.
The Church of St Nicholas is a superb example of High Baroque architecture, a building that astonishes visitors with its size and monumental interior. As the most prominent and distinctive landmark in the Lesser Town, no panoramic view of the city would be complete without its silhouette below Prague Castle.
St. George's Basilica is the oldest church building within the Prague Castle complex. It is also the best-preserved Romanesque church in Prague. Within the church lie several tombs of major historic importance. In the Gothic Chapel of St. Ludmila lies the tomb of St. Ludmila, the saint and widow of the 9th century ruler Prince Borivoj. Also buried in the basilica are Prince Vratislav and Boleslav II.
The little quarter called "Nový Svět" (New World) will surprise you with its charming small houses one wouldn´t expect in a capital city. All this will make you approach the Prague Castle in a different and wonderful way. The walk will allow you to observe two different places, which are breathing history and picturesqueness at the same time. The area has never been affected by major urban development; therefore, it has preserved its old-world peace and magic.
