#Prague Sights

December 5, 2018
Vyšehrad

Vyšehrad

According to ancient legends, Vyšehrad is oldest seat of Czech princes; in fact, the local settlement was established in the mid-10 th century. Situated on a rocky promontory above the Vltava River, it offers stunning views of the city, and the park area holds hidden architectural treasures including the rare Romanesque Rotunda of St Martin, the neo-Gothic Church of Sts Peter and Paul, the national cemetery Slavín, and the underground casements housing the some of the original Baroque statues from the Charles Bridge. Contacts Vyšehrad V Pevnosti 159/5b 128 00 Praha 2- Vyšehrad +420 261 225 304 +420 241 410 348 http://www.praha-vysehrad.cz info@praha-vysehrad.cz Object history The castle on the Vyšehrad hill, originally called Chrasten, was established during the 10th century, definitely later than Prague Castle. However, it has been furnished with lots of legends, about Princess Libuše, about the Women’s War, about Bivoj, about […]
December 5, 2018
The City of Prague Museum - Ctěnice Castle (Zámecký areál Ctěnice)

The City of Prague Museum – Ctěnice Castle (Zámecký areál Ctěnice)

The history of Ctěnice dates back to the early 13th century. An exhibition traces the long and complex history of the Ctěnice estate from the earliest times to the present. It also briefly presents the overall renovation of the area carried out from 1997–2004. The castle area is a venue for temporary exhibitions and a series of programs for children and adults. Contacts The City of Prague Museum – Ctěnice Castle (Zámecký areál Ctěnice) Bohdanečská 1 190 17 Praha 9- Vinoř +420 286 001 366 +420 606 859 952 http://www.muzeumprahy.cz http://www.zamekctenice.cz ctenice@muzeumprahy.cz Object history Ctěnice Castle The earliest report on the Ctěnice Castle is found in the inventory of the Strahov Monastery assets from 1273 and later documents indicate the ownership by Prague burghers. However, the local fort is only expressly mentioned in the year 1372, when the Prague burgher Jan Zeiselmeister […]
December 5, 2018
Prague City Gallery - Troja Castle (Zámek Troja)

Prague City Gallery – Troja Castle (Zámek Troja)

One of the most beautiful Baroque monuments is located in the immediate vicinity of the Prague Zoo. The chateau is surrounded by a gorgeous French garden. In the chateau’s interior you can admire the decorative frescos and exhibitions prepared by the Prague City Gallery. Concerts are also held on the chateau grounds. Contacts Prague City Gallery – Troja Castle (Zámek Troja) U Trojského zámku 1 171 00 Praha 7- Troja +420 283 851 614 http://www.ghmp.cz info@ghmp.cz Object history Václav Vojtěch, count of Šternberk, had his summer seat built here from 1679 on. He wanted to acquire a noble title, which he did. The Troja Castle is one of the most significant examples of the 17th century Bohemian castle Baroque style. Count Šternberk invited excellent European artists to work on the construction and the decoration. The construction was projected by Giovanni Domenico Orsi, who […]
December 5, 2018
Prague Castle (Pražský hrad)

Prague Castle (Pražský hrad)

Prague Castle has been an important symbol of the Czech state for more than a thousand years. It was founded in the 9th century and became the seat of Czech rulers and later presidents. The castle, one of the largest complexes in the world, is made up of historical palaces, offices, church and fortification buildings, gardens and picturesque spots. It covers an area of 45 hectares. The panoramic view of Prague Castle is one of the most spectacular in the world. Contacts Prague Castle (Pražský hrad) Pražský hrad 119 08 Praha 1- Hradčany +420 224 372 423 +420 224 371 111 http://www.hrad.cz http://www.kulturanahrade.cz info@hrad.cz Object history National cultural monument, the symbol of more than millennial development of the Czech state. Since its foundation in the last quarter of the 9th century it has been developing uninterruptedly throughout the past eleven centuries. […]
December 5, 2018
Prague Castle –- Ball Games Hall (Míčovna)

Prague Castle –- Ball Games Hall (Míčovna)

This Renaissance building on the south side of the Royal Gardens, directly above the Stag Moat, was built from 1567 to 1569. It served as a ball games hall, and later as a riding school and stables. During the reign of Josef II it was used as a military storage facility. Today it serves primarily for art exhibitions, concerts and significant social events. Contacts Prague Castle –- Ball Games Hall (Míčovna) Pražský hrad 119 08 Praha 1- Hradčany +420 224 372 434 +420 224 372 415 http://www.kulturanahrade.cz info@hrad.cz Object history Architects Bonifác Wohlmuth and Oldřich Aostalis built it in the years 1567 – 1569 on the edge of the lower part of the Deer Moat (Jelení příkop). The building on a ground plan of 68 times 13 metres was a true gem of high-Renaissance architecture. Among ten Ionian half-pillars, there were sgraffitoes reaching as high […]
December 5, 2018
Prague Castle – Queen Anne's Summer Palace (Letohrádek královny Anny)

Queen Anne’s Summer Palace (Letohrádek královny Anny)

A beautiful Renaissance building in the Royal Gardens of the Prague Castle. Ferdinand I commissioned the summer palace, built on the eastern edge of the Royal Gardens between 1538 and 1560, for his wife Anna Jagiellon. Today the Summer Palace provides exhibition space for fine art and applied arts exhibitions Queen Anne’s Summer Palace  Behind the Prague Castle walls, Ferdinand I established a royal (imperial) garden, in which he started to build a summer house in 1538 for his wife Anna of Jagiellon, who unfortunately did not live to see the completion of the building, as she died in 1547 after giving birth to her 15th child. Ferdinand I himself did not wait to see the house finished, and he left Prague after the fire in 1541. Queen Anna’s Summer house (incorrectly called Belvedere) is the purest Renaissance architecture outside the Italian territory. It was built […]
December 5, 2018
Prague Castle – Prague Castle Riding School (Jízdárna Pražského hradu)

Prague Castle – Prague Castle Riding School (Jízdárna Pražského hradu)

The Baroque facade of the riding hall from the end of the 17th century forms nearly the entire side of U Prašného mostu Street which leads from Prague Castle across the Stag Moat. Since the mid-20th century, the Riding School has been an exhibition venue. The area around the Hall features a newly landscaped garden, offering new and unusual views of St Vitus Cathedral and part of the Castle’s northern fortifications. Contacts Prague Castle – Prague Castle Riding School (Jízdárna Pražského hradu) U Prašného mostu 3 119 08 Praha 1- Hradčany +420 224 372 434 +420 224 372 415 http://www.kulturanahrade.cz info@hrad.cz Object history Prague Castle Riding Hall In the U Prašného mostu Street leading towards the Castle’s Northern gate, there is a Riding Hall, built at the end of the 17th century in a Baroque style (by Jean Baptiste Mathey). The entrance facade is decorated by […]
December 5, 2018
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Prague Castle – Prague Castle Picture Gallery (Obrazárna Pražského hradu)

The Prague Castle Picture Gallery is the oldest continuously existing collection of paintings in our country – its roots date back to the late 16th century. The permanent exhibition presents visitors with a representative selection of more than 100 of the highest quality paintings from the Prague Castle treasury of art, which contains over 4,000 works. Despite considerable artistic losses which took place during the collection’s eventful history, the quality of the art owned by the Picture Gallery is comparable to that of other major European art collections. Contacts Prague Castle – Prague Castle Picture Gallery (Obrazárna Pražského hradu) Pražský hrad – II. nádvoří 119 08 Praha 1- Hradčany +420 224 373 531 +420 224 373 368 http://www.kulturanahrade.cz obrazarna@hrad.cz Object history Prague Castle Picture Gallery If we enter the Castle via the Northern (Pacassi’s) gate, then we can see the former […]
December 5, 2018
Prague Castle – Imperial Stables (Císařská konírna)

Prague Castle – Imperial Stables (Císařská konírna)

In addition to his other curious interests, Emperor Rudolf II was a passionate collector of horses. In 1583, he had part of the castle fortifications and an old vicarage demolished to build new, beautiful stables. Today, this stunning building serves as an exhibition space for temporary exhibitions. Contacts Prague Castle – Imperial Stables (Císařská konírna) Pražský hrad – II. nádvoří 119 08 Praha 1- Hradčany +420 224 372 434 +420 224 372 415 http://www.kulturanahrade.cz info@hrad.cz Object history Imperial Stables – Prague Castle If we enter the Castle area from the Prašný most Bridge from the North, we go past the guard of honour on both sides of the Northern Gate, also called the Pacassi Gate. The entrance to the Imperial Stables, today an exhibition site and concert hall, is located in a passage behind the gate, on the left. There were stables […]
December 5, 2018
Prague Castle - Teresian Wing of the Old Royal Palace (Tereziánské křídlo Starého královského palace)

Prague Castle – Teresian Wing of the Old Royal Palace (Tereziánské křídlo Starého královského palace)

Maria Teresa had this wing built from 1766 – 1768 on a narrow parcel of land connecting the Ludwig Wing and the Institute of Noblewomen. In 1931, the building was reduced by one floor by architect Otto Rothmayer so that it would not block the view of the façade of the Vladislav Hall. At the same time, he created two hallways that today serve as exhibition spaces, and connected all levels with a spiral staircase. Contacts Prague Castle – Teresian Wing of the Old Royal Palace (Tereziánské křídlo Starého královského palace) Pražský hrad 119 08 Praha 1- Hradčany +420 224 372 434 +420 224 372 415 http://www.kulturanahrade.cz http://www.hrad.cz info@hrad.cz Source: https://www.prague.eu/en/object/places/385/prague-castle-teresian-wing-of-the-old-royal-palace-terezianske-kridlo-stareho-kralovskeho-palace