Castle Guard, Prague

4 more images

The very neat guards at the Prague Castle is an attraction by itself.

I heard the music or some sort of a band marching/playing and found lots of people gathered inside the castle ground - that gate with those statues, a guy hitting the other with a bat - and band member on each window on the 2nd or 1st floor of the building. Several Guards marching and suddenly came to me that it may be the changing of the guards!

Yes it is, and it's not once a day but they do it many times a day - every hour. It's very entertaining and many people have their photos taken with the guard standing at the gate -- juz don't do sumthin funny.

You shouldn't miss it! It's free.

The Changing of the Guard at Prague Castle takes place every hour on the hour from 5 in the morning till 11 at night. If you want to see an extra touch of pomp and ceremony then you need to be there at noon when the banners are exchanged and the fanfare is played.

Prague Castle Complex:
Apr-Oct: Daily 05:00-24:00
Nov-Mar: Daily 06:00-23:00
Prague Castle Sights & Attractions:
Apr-Oct: Daily 09:00-18:00
Nov-Mar: Daily 09:00-16:00

Prague Castle Gardens:
Apr & Oct: Daily 10:00-18:00
May & Sep: Daily 10:00-19:00
Jun-Aug: Daily 10:00-21:00

Like in many palaces also here it is popular event to check out the change of the castles guards. This if you have the time and patient for it. The particular time that I was in Prague was very special and they were preparing for a very special guest coming tomorrow, that was the visit of the "yes we can" president :)

2 more images

Prague Castle looks almost like a small town itself. It is the largest ancient castle in the world (570m long and on average 128m wide). It is also the former place where the Czech kings, Holy Roman Emperors and presidents of the Czech Republic have had their offices. So it is no wonder this is the most visited tourist attraction in Prague.

1 more image

There are guards that stand at the entrances to the Prague Castle everyday. They wear pretty light blue uniforms and stand there completely still, without talking or moving for 1 hour. You can go up and stand next to them and take pictures if you like. Every hour on the hour they do a small shift change, but at noon everyday there is a huge ceremonial changing of the guard with a parade of the guards thats quite nice to see, and something fre to do in an increasingly expensive Prague. Get there early for good spots, as there are usualy a good amount of people there.

2 more images

Because the Royal Castle area is the seat of government, now of the Czech Republic, not of the Kingdom of Bohemia, and the president of the Republic has his living quarters here, there are many soldiers within its confines.

There are those standing guard at the Royal Castle entrance, the Giants Gate; and those who are parading about with their band instruments; and those who are guarding a Christmas tree outside the Cathedral of St. Vidas.

They stand guard 24/7 and are always positioned at the shelters. Maybe go under cover in bad weather? The hard part is to stand there and have thousands of tourists by your side taking pictures. These guys have patience, to be admired.

There's something about posing for silly pictures with a guard that can't talk that's like a man slipping on a banana peel. It's like classic comedy that just doesn't get old.

Find these stoic (and often kinda cute) lads posted in front of Prague Castle. There's a bus that goes right up there.