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For
a thousand years Prague Castle has stood towering
above the river Vltava. Inseparable from the
Hunderd Spined Prague it creates a picturesque
view. Throughout the centuries it has been
the centre of history for the Czech nation,
a monument of glory and of suffering. The
royal Premyslid family took power over the
united Czech territories at the end of the
9th century. The new residential castle on
the stretched hillock dates from that time.
Apparently Prince Borivoj also founded there
the first Christian church of the Virgin Mary.
Several religions buildings were erected in
the fortress at the beginning of the following
century: Saint George Basilica,
Saint Vitus Cathedral and also the first convent. The
industrious building at the Castle site ceased
when the Premyslid family died out by the
sword.
By the beginning of the 14th century,
the castle was in a very desolate condition.
Therefore Charles IV had to renovate it completely
after his return from France and Italy. The
remains of the royal palace were transformed
into a prestigeous place in gothic style.
The Saint Vitus cathedral had to become a
pretentious place also. Other religious and
state buildings on the castle site were renewed
and more were to be built. The royal palace
was again considerably converted under the
reign of Vladislav Jagellonský. The throne-rome,
named after Vladislav, especially causes admiration
even today. In the middle ages it was one
of the biggest halls. It has vaults with a
detailed network, with intertwined ribs and
big windows. The reign of Rudolf II represents
an important period. Again Italian architects
built, among other things, a new palace with
two big halls. The Spanish hall, decorated
by top artists, is still the pride of the
castle. Rudolf gathered his famous collections
in it.
The gallery of paintings included the
most important masters of renaissance: Titian,
Leonardo da Vinci, Rafael, Breughel, Holbein,
Durer and many others. Some of the paintings
still belong to the state art collections
in Vienna.
The main gate, decorated with a
group of giants, leads into Prague Castle
from the Hradcanské námestí (Hradcany Square).
It leads to the first castle yard which is
also called the Yard of Honour. It is the
youngest part of the castle built in Viennese
Rococo style. In the front wall is the Matthias
Gate (Matyásova brána)
which is the oldest state building in
Prague Baroque style. A passageway leads to
the second castle yard. In its centre stands
a decorated baroque fountain. In the south-west
part is the Chapel of the Holy Cross
(Kaple svatého Kríze) in which
the Saint Vitus treasure is kept. On the South
side of the yard is the Rudolf Palace, on
the North side a wing including the Spanish
Hall, the wedge-shaped passage and the Gallery.
There are also passageways to the Royal Gardens,
the Manege and Belvedere.
The second castle
yard is connected to the most memorable place
- the third castle yard, where there used
to be the original Slavonic fortress. Opposite
the passageway stands the monumental
Saint Vitus Cathedral. Part of the decoration of this
yard is the special statue of Saint George fighting
the dragon.
The transversal wing between the second and the third yard and the southern section belong to the presidential office. The royal palace, in which is the Vladislav Hall (Vladislavský sál), completes the third yard on the east side. Behind the old palace is the Saint George Square (Svatojirské námestí).
Three buildings of interest are to be found in this square: The All Saints Church rebuilt in renaissance style, the romanesque Saint George Church and the old convent. George street (Jirská ulice) leads to the little Golden Street (Zlatá ulicka). George street runs along the old viscount and Lobkowitz palace and ends at the east gate by which stands the Black Tower (Cerná vez) - a part of the old romanesque castle fortifications. Leading from the gate downhill is the old artillery rampart which gives a beautiful view over the city.
