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A special atmosphere reigns in the little street by the Prague Castle, called the Golden Lane. It is lined with small picturesque houses, that look rather like doll´s houses than people´s homes. They are coloured and the origin of some of them goes back to the 16 th century. The renowned writer Franz Kafka lived in the Golden Lane for some time during the World War I.
History and legends of the Golden Lane
Originally, there was just a wall behind the Prague Castle. As time went by in the 15 th century, first modest houses were built along it. The original name of the street was Goldmakers Lane, so most of the first inhabitants were probably Prague goldsmiths. These houses were demolished in 1591. Six years later, Emperor Rudolph II. let the 24 Prague Castle´s fusiliers build their houses there.
Also craftsmen and servants lived in the Golden Lane later. According to legends, Emperor Rudolph II. had some of his court alchemists accomodated in the Golden Lane, where they tried to turn metal into gold. That could also be the origin of the name “Golden Lane”.
Franz Kafka and other famous people in the Golden Lane
Since the 19 th century, the houses were mostly rented. There were some important Prague writers among the renters, including Franz Kafka. He lived in the house no. 22 with his sister Ottla in 1916-17. He wrote some short stories for the book A Country Doctor there. Apparently, the Golden Lane by the Prague Castle is where he found inspiration for his book The Castle.
Another writer, the Nobel prize winner Jaroslav Seifert lived in a now demolished building between the Golden Lane and the Dalibor Tower (Daliborka) in 1930s.
The house no. 14 was a home of the fortune-teller Madame de Thebes since 1918. She used to crystal gaze and tell fortunes from cards. She was killed by Gestapo at the end of the World War II., reportedly because she foretold that Adolf Hitler will die soon.
Golden Lane at the present time
The houses in the Golden Lane were nationalized after the war and later restored and painted, between 1952 and 1955. Nowadays, there are mostly souvenir and book shops there.
Probably the oldest house in the street is the one with number 20. It looks almost the same as it did in the 16 th century.
The original regulation to build the houses only in an arch of the wall is demonstrated by the house no.13, the only one that does not protrude into the Golden Lane.
Updated Feb 7, 2012
Address: Zlata ulicka
Website: http://www.hrad.cz
This short street takes its name from the goldsmiths who went to live there in the 17th century.
The tiny houses in Golden Lane were built for 24 members of the guard of the castle in the 16th century. Today they house some souvenirs shops.
Franz Kafka lived at n. 22 for some time.
Updated Dec 29, 2010
Address: Zlata ulicka
Website: http://www.hrad.cz
Golden Line is little street with small picturesque houses. They are colored and the origin of some of them goes back to the 16 th century. The original name of the street was Goldmakers Lane, so most of the first inhabitans were probably Prague goldsmiths. Franz Kafka lived in the house no 22 with nis sister Ottla in 1916.-1917.
If you come after 18 h entrance is free.
Updated Feb 25, 2010
Address: Zlata ulicka
Website: http://www.hrad.cz
Golden Lane is known from 15th century, when goldsmiths, servants and craftsmen had opportunity to live here. Later, in 20th century, Franc Kafka lived at one of houses and wrote his work “Castle”. As legend tells, Emperor Rudolph II allowed alchemists to live here as well, so name “Golden Lane” probably appeared due to goldsmiths or gold-seeking alchemists.
The oldest house on Golden Lane now is from 16th century. Lane is full of book, souvenir shops. It is really a unique place.
The question is: why these houses are so small? Were people so small before? Maybe it is because of servants (lower class) was living here (lower class – lower life conditions)? And…maybe houses are small to create an inspiring feeling for artistic people (eg. for Kafka)?
Updated Jan 31, 2010
Address: Zlata ulicka.
Website: http://www.hrad.cz
This is a little street in the Castle area with many shops where people can buy souvenirs. The idea of this lane is to show different handicrafts of the previous time. I was there a week before Easter so everything was covered with flowers and colored eggs.
Written Apr 13, 2009
Address: part of Prague Castle
Website: http://www.hrad.cz
In the Golden Lane some famous writers have also lived, among which Jaroslav Seifert and Franz Kafka. Kafka lived for some months with his sister to the number 22 in 1916-17.
According to the legend the alchemists and the adventurers worked in the alley and they tried to produce gold for Rudolph II. In reality such laboratories were found in Vikarka, the little street between the Cathedral of St. Vitus and the Tower of the Dusts.
Updated Feb 4, 2009
Address: Zlata ulicka
Website: http://www.hrad.cz
Golden lane is situated in the northern part of Prague castle. Probably some goldsmiths lived here in 16. century, then the name of it. The houses, doors are very small, which shows how high people were that time. The most famous is house 12, where Franz Kafka lived for a short time and also many czech famous novelists and writers like Jaroslav Seifert used to meet.
The lane is very short, full of tourists and houses are colored and cute. There are shops and souverinrs in all houses. At the end is Daliborka tower, served as a prison.
Written Nov 3, 2008
Address: Zlata ulicka
Website: http://www.hrad.cz
At the end of the Prague castle tour. There is a row of souvenir shop's called the golden lane. They seem to be quite reasonable for the average souvenir shopper. A couple of things that stood out was the book's that I bought about the folklore and fable's. Another thing that was reasonable were the ceramic bell's, they were small so they fit in your luggage. Happy hunting!
Written Aug 29, 2008
Address: Zlata ulicka
Website: http://www.hrad.cz
While at the Castle, visit the famous picturesque Golden Lane, with its 16th-century houses, now turned into museums and galleries, and the small souvenir shops.
One of the most famous residents here was Franz Kafka. You can easily find his blue house at number 22.
According to 1 version, King Rudolph II had the houses built for his 24 guards, while another version has it that in fact craftsmen, traders, artists and the king’s servants lived here.
As for its name, it probably got it because of the alchemists and goldsmiths who lived here in the 17th century.
One more thing – if you get to the Castle after 6p.m. you’ll be able to enter the street for free and avoid the crowds.
Written Jun 26, 2008
Address: Zlata ulicka
Website: http://www.hrad.cz
this narrow lane of small houses were built by rudolph II to house his palace guards. it's name comes from goldsmiths that lived in these houses in the 17th century. today these houses are souvenir shops.
Written Jun 18, 2008
Address: Zlata ulicka
Website: http://www.hrad.cz
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this narrow lane of small houses were built by rudolph II to house his palace guards. it's name comes from goldsmiths that lived in these houses in the 17th...
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