The castle that's a really four fabulous palaces, three churches, two towers, an art gallery, and a cathedral – all fitted together over 1,000 years of history.
Prague Castle floats over the Old Town of Prague like a mirage on the hill – a more fabulous refection of the already-remarkable city below. It looks less like a castle and more like a palace fit for emperors. And that's exactly what it was, as the regal home for many Holy Roman Emperors. But there's not just one palace here. There are four. And naturally the Holy Roman Emperor required something more elevating than a church – so the St.Vitus Cathedral is enclosed within the Castle's walls, throwing its green copper spire into the sky.As the seat of power for the Czech nation for the last millennium – even today, the President of the Republic lives here – Prague Castle has a remarkable history filled with kings, revolts, occultist emperors and marauding Swedes. Today, this city-above-the-city is a major draw for tourists, who come to admire its treasures, history and architecture. But it's hard to do Prague Castle justice, even with several days set aside.Instead pick a theme and see where it will take you. If it's the history you want, then the vastness of Vladislav Hall is a good place to start. It was built by the King Vladislaus II in 1485, who returned to the Castle after years of abandonment during the Hussite wars. The elegant curving timbers holding up the Hall's vaulted roof are an awe-inspiring sight.The Chapel of St. Wenceslaus holds the most important treasures of the Castle – the Bohemian Crown Jewels, used in coronations since 1347. And at the Old Palace, you can see the windows through which Catholic nobles were thrown, in Prague's infamous 'defenestrations'.If it's the Castle's artistic treasures you want to absorb, try the Prague Castle Picture Gallery. It has more than 100 paintings from Emperor Rudolph II's personal collection. And for those looking for some true medieval fortifications, try the Daliborka and Black Towers along the Castle's northern edge, built in the 15th-century.With religious monuments, you're spoilt for choice. As well as the irresistible attraction of St.Vitus Cathedral, and its chapels, there's the ancient St. George's Basilica, which houses the 10th-century grave of the first Czech Christian martyr. But truth be told, with over 1,000 years to gather its attractions, Prague Castle won't yield them all in your first visit. Better start planning for a return.
