Prague Castle, Prague

Prague Castle is a huge complex of about 60 buildings including the cathedral and other chapels, historical houses and palaces, large courtyards and small streets, walls and towers, lovely gardens and rough ramparts.
Seeming more like a fortified city than a real castle, it was founded in the 9th century and its style has been changed and structure enhanced during years:
12th century: Romanesque,
14th century: Gothic,
16th century: Baroque.
Nowadays it is the residence of the President of the Czech Republic. The Changing of the Guard takes place every hour on the hour in the First Courtyards, and expecially appreciated is the one that takes place at 12.

Inside the main palace there is a musem that covers all the history of Prague and its castle, from the first colony to the present days. The museum itself is not so interesting, but it's located in the older part of the castle.

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The Prague Castle -- or Prazsky Hrad in Czech -- was founded around 880 AD. The original construction here was more of a fort than castle, consisting of a stone rampart and moat. Churches were the first real buildings, and the Imperial Residence was constructed in the middle of the 1300s. The Powder Tower, today a museum, was built in the 1480s, but it wasn't until the 1600s that the castle began to exhibit the splendor we see today.

The key areas for visitors today are the Spanish Hall, St. Vitus's Cathedral, South Gardens, Royal Garden, Royal Summer Palace, Ball-game Hall, Riding School, Powder Tower, Old Royal Palace, St George's Basilica, Golden Lane, Burgrave's House, Lobkovicz Palace, Prague Castle Gallery, and the Imperial Stables.

The front side of the castle looks over Mala Strana while the back side is guarded by a wide moat. Beyond the moat are the Royal Gardens and the Riding School.

Prague Castle is like a small city inside on an big city and it´s the main atraction in Prague. The Guinness book of records says that is the biggest castle in the world, its 570 metres long and about 128 metres wide and its area is bigger than 7 footbal stadium. Its history begin on c IX when Prince Borivoj established there. On the next tips you vill see all the places you can visit on Castle Prague.

El Castillo de Praga es como una pequeña ciudad dentro de una gran ciudad y es la principal atracción en Praga. El libro Guinness de los records la considera como el castillo mas grande del muno, mide 570 metros de largo y 128 metros de ancho aproximadamente y su superficie total supera los 7 estadios de futbol. Su historia comienza en el siglo IX cuando el principe Borivoj se estableció allí. En las siguientes tips verás gran parte de los lugares que se pueden visitar dentro del castillo.

The main gate to the castle's first courtyard is a large gate with two giant statues on either side. They are replica statues from the late 1700's of battling titans. This 1 of 3 entrance gates before you are actually inside the castle.

The castle was established on this site during the 9th century and a Romanesque palace was erected during the 12th. In the 14th century, under the reign of Charles IV, it was rebuilt to Gothic style.
The castle was enlarged in the 16th century, mainly after a big fire in 1541. The Spanish Hall in a new part of the castle was added during the reign of Rudolf II.

Today, the Castle is the seat of the President of the Czech Republic, and it serves as the historical and political centre of both city and state. Go through the main entrance to see the changing of the guard and that will lead you up to St Vitus.

Changing of the Guards at the castle gates every hour starting 5:00-24:00 and at noon with fanfares and banner exchange. When l was looking at the changing of the guards, 2 of them were in stitches laughing, which in turn made the tourists laugh.

This huge castle is now the seat of the President of the Czech Republic, and serves as the historical and political centre of both city and state. It is known that a castle was built on this site in the 9th century, and a Romanesque palace in the 12th. Later on king Charles IV (who else?) had the palace rebuilt in the Gothic fashion. The castle was enlarged in the 16th century, also in the Gothic style, and the Habsburgs (Rudolf II and the Empress Maria Theresa) had new parts added to it. Many parts of the castle are accessible to the public. To name a few: The Royal Palace, St. Vitus Cathedral, St. Wenceslas Chapel and the tomb of Czech Kings, Prague Castle Gallery, Prague Castle Riding Hall, Prague Castle Gardens, St. George Basilica etc. Open daily from 9 a.m.

If you are walking to Prague Castle, be prepared to get plenty of exercise. One of the ways up to the castle are the castle steps on the southwest side of the castle. Once you get up to the top, you will get a very nice view of the city. Just bring water.

Films shot in Prague include Mission Impossible, The Bourne Identity, Spy Game, A Knight's Tale and The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen, to name but a few.

When you wander around its cobbled old streets, bursting with history and so often unspoilt, it's easy to see why. This particular alley is by the left side of St Vitus cathedral.