Interesting Facts About Prague Castle

Prague Castle is a sprawling complex that dominates the skyline of the Czech Republic's capital city. The castle dates back to the 9th century and has been the residence of Czech kings, Holy Roman Emperors, and Czech presidents over the centuries. It is currently the official residence of the President of the Czech Republic and one of the most popular tourist attractions in Prague. The castle complex covers over 70,000 square meters and includes numerous buildings, gardens, and courtyards. The most notable of these buildings is St. Vitus Cathedral, a Gothic masterpiece that took over 600 years to complete. Other significant buildings within the complex include the Old Royal Palace, the Lobkowicz Palace, and the Prague Castle's Golden Lane.

The Prague Castle is in the Guinness Book of World Records
The Prague Castle is in the Guinness Book of World Records

The most notable Prague Castle fun fact is that it is listed in the Guinness Book of World Records as the largest castle complex to exist in the world. This monument covers an area of 753,473 square feet and is a well-defined structure. It consists of a large composition of different palaces and religious buildings of various architectural styles from the 10th century. This wondrous castle holds a national, cultural as well as historical significance for the Czechs. 


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A thousand years old
A thousand years old

The first building of Prague Castle was constructed in the year 880, making it over a thousand years old. The castle has been expanded and modified over the centuries, resulting in a unique blend of architectural styles.


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Prague Castle holds the precious Bohemian Crown Jewels
Prague Castle holds the precious Bohemian Crown Jewels

The castle has the Bohemian Crown Jewels securely put away in a chamber inside St. Vitus Cathedral that includes the St. Wenceslas crown, royal scepter, and coronation cloak. The most interesting fact about Prague Castle is that all the jewels are safely kept in an iron safe that has seven locks. Moreover, the keys to these seven locks are with seven different people that includes the President, the Prime Minister and the Archbishop. To open this lock, all the seven key holders must be present with their keys for the unlocking process


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The Prague Castle is a Presidential residence
The Prague Castle is a Presidential residence

One of the most interesting Prague Castle facts is that it is the official residence of the President of the Czech Republic, currently inhabited by Petr Pavel. The castle was founded in the 9th century by Prince Bořivoj of the Premyslid Dynasty and it has been the residence of the Czech Kings, Roman Emperors and Czech Presidents for over centuries. The tourists are astonished by the royalty they get to see when they visit Prague Castle and it continues to be one of the most popular tourist attractions till date. 


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Gothic masterpiece
Gothic masterpiece

Saint Vitus Cathedral, located within the castle complex, is considered a masterpiece of Gothic architecture. The cathedral took over 600 years to complete, with construction beginning in 1344 and finishing in 1929. The cathedral's stained glass windows and ornate interior are a must-see for visitors to Prague Castle.


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The Largest Castle Complex in the World
The Largest Castle Complex in the World

Prague Castle is the largest castle complex in the world that is spread over an impressive area of 753,473 square feet, with 570 meters in length and approximately 130 meters wide. It is also listed as the largest coherent castle complex in the Guinness Book of World Records. This interesting Prague Castle fact makes it one of the most visited tourist attractions receiving approximately 1.8 million tourists annually. Apart from its gigantic structures, this monument is also known for its cultural and historical importance.

There's a tropical garden in Prague Castle
There's a tropical garden in Prague Castle

Another interesting fact about Prague Castle is that there has been a garden of tropical plants, including citrus trees since the 16th century. Designed by Olga Havlová, President Václav Havel's first wife, the tropical garden is tubular in shape and has a glass-enclosed greenhouse. This beautiful garden has three parts that includes space for budding, growing and maintaining different tropical trees and mediterranean fruits. Visit the well-preserved gardens of the Castle and get a chance to stroll among the lush greenery, and cool breeze during Prague’s pleasant summers.

It is a home to kings throughout its history
It is a home to kings throughout its history

The Prague castle has been inhabited by the royalties throughout and was a seat of power for the Kings of Bohemia, Holy Roman Emperors and the Presidents of Czech. The first ever royalty to reside in this beautiful castle during the 9th century was Prince Bořivoj. The castle was not only a home for the Emperors and the Head of the State, but also for the head of the church, the Prague Bishop. Till date, the castle is only inhabited by the Presidents of Prague with President Pavel as the current resident.

Prague Castle is also a holy place
Prague Castle is also a holy place

The magnificent Prague Castle is also a holy place that holds great significance for the people of Czech. The largest temple in Prague is St Vitus Cathedral where the coronation of the kings and queens took place. It is also a burial place of several patron saints and archbishops. Another most prominent church of Prague Castle is the Basilica of St. George, which is one of the oldest churches of the Czech Republic. The architecture of these churches are a must see and the Czechs hold great pride in them.

The Prague Castle boasts four churches
The Prague Castle boasts four churches

The Prague Castle hosts four churches in it, namely, St Vitus Cathedral, the Basilica of St. George, All Saints Church and the Holy Cross Chapel. A Prague Castle fun fact is that it also has four palaces built separately to fit these churches: the Old Royal Palace, Belvedere, Lobkowicz and New Royal Palace. These palaces were built one after the other and each of these has an awe-striking architecture. These churches are a significant part of the country and due to which the Prague Castle is also considered a holy place.

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Prague Castle: Skip The Line Tickets
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  • Marvel at the majestic architecture of Prague Castle, a stunning ensemble of Gothic, Renaissance, and Baroque styles 

  • Admire the awe-inspiring Crown Jewels of the Czech Republic, housed in the Royal Treasury of Prague Castle

  • Explore the magnificent St. Vitus Cathedral and admire its amazing architecture including intricate stained glass windows, towering spires & chapels

  • Book Prague Castle tickets and explore 9th century built castle spread over 750,000 square feet of area

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Must Know Before You Go
  • Children must be accompanied by an adult.
  • Any personal expenses or items of personal nature will not be included in the package.
  • Any breakage or damage of any items will be charged at actuals.
  • All foreign nationals must share their passport and visa details at the time of arrival.
  • You can start your visit at any of the buildings included: Old Royal Palace, St. Vitus Cathedral, St. George's Basilica, or Golden Lane.
  • ID proof is mandatory for each individual guest at the time of arrival.
  • Please note that the time slots may be subject to slight variations, and we will allocate a time slot available within a 30-minute window before or after your initial selection.
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Book Prague Castle Tour with Local Guide

Small-Group Tour in English with Local Guide
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  • Visit the amazing beauty of famous historical places in Prague and admire the fragrance of 12th-century 

  • Grab the opportunity of knowing the glorified history of Prague and take the pleasure of undergoing a delightful walking session

  • Explore the historical destinations of the city such as Prague Castle, Golden Lane, Old Royal Palace, and many more

  • Observe the lifestyle and living habits of the local inhabitants of Prague with your family and friends

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Must Know Before You Go
  • Children of age 5 and younger do not require a ticket.
  • Individuals between the age of 6-15 will be charged as per child price basis.
  • Individuals between the ages of 16-64 will be charged as adults.
  • Individuals of age 65 and older will be charged as senior.
  • It is recommended to wear comfortable shoes in this trip.
  • Please be aware that certain areas of the castle may be off-limits to tourists during state visits.
  • ID proof is mandatory for each individual guest at the time of arrival. PAN card will not be considered as a valid address proof.
  • All foreign nationals must share their passport and visa details at the time of booking, and also upon arrival.
  • Children must be accompanied by an adult.
  • Within 24 hours, you will receive confirmation of your reservation.
  • Timings must be strictly followed, as the activity is time constraint.
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  • Discover the private and oldest artwork in the Czech Republic in the 16th century Lobkowicz Palace

  • Take a tour of this Czech Republic’s Palace and get a chance to learn about its rich history through an audio guide in your preferred language

  • Witness the original manuscripts that were composed by Beethoven, Mozart, and Haydn that are well preserved to this day

  • Marvel at Lobkowicz's collections, with approximately 1,500 paintings, including the masterpieces by Canaletto, Brueghel the Elder, Cranach, and Velázquez

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Must Know Before You Go
  • ID proof is mandatory for each individual guest at the time of arrival. PAN card will not be considered as a valid address proof
  • All foreign nationals must share their passport and visa details at the time of booking, and also upon arrival
  • Children must be accompanied by an adult
  • Any personal expenses or items of personal nature will not be included in the package.
  • Pets, Smoking, Luggage or large bags is strictly prohibited
  • The premise is accessible by wheelchair
  • Audio guide available in Spanish, Czech, English, French, German, Italian, Japanese, and Russian
  • Lobkowicz Palace is wheelchair accessible.
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FAQ's

What is a fun fact about Prague Castle?

    One of the many Prague Castle fun facts is that this monument is listed in the Guinness Book of World Records for being the largest castle complex in the world. Also, it stores the royal Bohemian Crown Jewels that are kept with extreme safety and security.

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