Golden Lane, Prague

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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.

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.

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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)?

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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.

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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.

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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.

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!

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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.