Inside Prague Castle: Exploring Prague Castle's Interior
St. Vitus Cathedral, a Gothic masterpiece located within the Prague castle inside, is a striking symbol of Czech architecture and faith. The cathedral’s premises are known to have mesmerised visitors, especially by its soaring windows, stained glass windows, and especially the magnificent Rose Window. The cathedral contains the crown jewels of the Czech Republic and this is also the place where many Bohemian kings are buried.
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The Golden Lane in Prague Castle is a street located amidst the premises of the castle. It was originally built as a place of residence for the castle guards of King Rudolf II. It dates back to the 16th century and it got the name due to the goldsmiths that have lived there. Today, the houses are brightly painted since the 1950s and are located near the Northern Wall of the Prague Castle. In fact, it is also interesting to know that one of the houses here was even the place of residence for the popular writer Franz Kafka.
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This palace dates back to the 12th century and is famous for housing a copy of the Czech crown. The Vladislav hall is located within the premises of the hall and is predominantly used for state ceremonies. Its architecture gracefully combines Romanesque and Gothic styles from the 12th century, and it has served as the prestigious residence for Bohemian kings, emperors, and presidents.
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The St. George's Basilica takes pride in being one of the oldest surviving basilicas in the premises. This is dedicated to Saint George and was built by Vritislaus I in the early 900s. This has stood the test of time and a major part of the structure has been preserved and after the founding of the convent of the Benedictine nuns in 973, the church was further developed and its space was further enlarged.
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Alternatively known as the Royal Gardens, this is an opportunity for you to explore and discover the vibrantly coloured flowers in the garden. They are world famous and are filled with elegant sculptures like the Singing Fountain and the Queen Anne’s Summer Palace. The Prague Castle Gardens are also the host venues for popular events and concerts too. The gardens are interconnected and some of the best ones worth checking out include Labour and Small and Great Pallfy gardens.
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Out of all the structures in Prague castle inside, Lobkowicz Palace is the only privately owned building. This is an opportunity for you to explore the largest private art collection of the Lobkowicz family and even admire the different types of musical notes and manuscripts of some of the best stalwarts of music like Ludwig van Beethoven and even Mozart. The tour of this Prague castle interior comes with an audio guide that you can make use of to know more about this palace too.
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This tower is located close to the Golden Lane and was once used as a prison. This is as old as the late 1400s and was originally used as a prison. The dungeon comes with big vaults and with a circular opening. The prison got its name from the first prisoner of the tower, namely Dalibor of Kozojedy. Tourists opting for a guided tour will be able to check out the tower as a part of the tour.
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This hall takes pride in being one of the largest ones of its kind in Prague castle inside. A lot of state and public events are hosted here, like the swearing in ceremony of the President of the Czech Republic, theatre performances, and even coronation banquets, and is more than 500 years old. The Prague castle interior features a blend of Gothic style and the early Renaissance architecture and is located close to the All Saints Church.
Architectural Highlights Inside Prague Castle
- All Saints Church: Consecrated back in 1185, All Saints Church flaunts a magnificent Romanesque building and houses the tomb of St. Procopius.
- St. Vitus Cathedral: Established back in 1344, the majestic Gothic style building of St. Vitus Cathedral was completed in a time span of a whopping 600 years. Its interiors house the Crown Chamber and the tomb of St Wenceslas.
- Holy Cross Chapel: The Holy Cross Chapel lies in the second courtyard, inside of Prague Castle. Temporarily, this chapel was used as the treasury of the St. Vitus Cathedral.
- St. George’s Basilica & Convent Of Saint George: Known as the oldest church present in Prague Castle inside, this church building is dedicated to St. George.
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- New Royal Palace: The New Royal Palace is located in the third courtyard of Prague Castle complex and comprises four wings.
- Old Royal Palace: Flaunting Renaissance and Gothic architectural styles, the Old Royal Palace is a visual delight. Formerly, it served as a residence building.
- Lobkowicz Palace: The stunning Lobkowicz Palace happens to be the only privately owned structure in Prague Castle. It is home to intriguing museums and rich fascinating collections.
- Queen Anne's Summer Palace: Nestled amidst the lush Royal Gardens on the Prague Castle inside, Queen Anne's Summer Palace boasts a breathtaking Renaissance style architecture.
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- The Vladislav Hall: Considered to be one of the largest halls of the Prague Castle complex, the Vladislav Hall serves as a venue for the public events organized by the state.
- The Spanish Hall: Nestled within the New Royal Palace, the Spanish Hall happens to be a stunning ceremonial hall. This is the place where Emperor Rudolph II showcased his intriguing art and science collections.
- Rothmayer's Hall: Named after Otto Rothmayer, the architect who renovated it in the 20th century, the spectacular Rothmayer's Hall houses a brilliantly sculpted statue of the first president of Czech, Tomas Garrique Masaryk.
- Hall Of Columns: Nestled inside the New Royal Palace, the majestic Hall Of Columns is architectured by the renowned Slovenian architect Jože Plečnik between the years 1927 and 1930.
- Rudolph's Gallery: The Prague Castle inside features the beautiful Rudolph's Gallery, which is home to the rich, fascinating collections of Emperor Rudolph II.
- The Royal Garden: Laid out by Habsburg Ferdinand I, The Royal Garden flaunts a breathtaking renaissance architecture. The garden is home to many rare botanical species that have been bought here from foreign lands.
- South Gardens: The 500-meter long South Gardens in Prague Castle is basically a conglomeration of three small gardens - Hartig Garden, Garden on the Ramparts, and Paradise Garden.
- Horticultural Gardens: Nestled on the northern side of Prague Castle, the Horticultural Gardens span across an area of around 4 hectares. The products from this garden are sent for the use of the President of the Czech Republic.
- Orangery: The Orangery In Prague Castle was established in 1999 by Eva Jiřičn. The garden is home to a greenhouse made up of stainless steel and a 90-meter long tubular glass.
- St. Wenceslas Vineyard: Lying between Klárov and Deer Moat and opened to visitors in 2008, St. Wenceslas Vineyard is considered to be Bohemia’s oldest vineyard.
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- Riding School: At present, Riding School serves as an exhibition ground.
- The Golden Lane: Named after the goldsmiths residing here, the charming Golden Lane is bordered by quaint ancient houses.
- Prašný Bridge: Connecting Stag Moat to the Royal Garden, Prašný Bridge was a former bridge at Prague Castle.
- Ball Game Hall: The majestic Ball Game Hall lies on the southern side of the beautiful Royal Gardens of the complex.
- Old Supreme Burgrave’s House: The magnificent Old Supreme Burgrave’s House was owned by the highest official in Prague Castle, the Supreme Burgrave.
- New Provost Residence: The New Provost Residence lies beside St. George’s Basilica.
- Old Provost Residence: The Old Provost Residence served as the seat of the bishops of Prague.
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Know Before You Go To Prague Castle
Location: The Palace is located in Hradčany, 119 08 Prague 1, Czech Republic.
Opening Hours: The opening hours are from 6 AM to 10 PM.
Best Time to Visit: We recommend the early morning or late afternoon as the best times to visit the Prague castle interior. Weekends attract more visitors, so do plan to visit during the weekdays to avoid crowds.
Entrances: There are 4 entrances for the Prague Castle- Courtyard I and II, Na Opysi Gate, and the Royal Summer Palace Entrance.
- We recommend arriving at the entrance of the castle at least15 to 20 minutes before the scheduled time of entry.
- If you head to the castle at noon, you can also get a glimpse of the changing of guards ceremony that involves a trumpet call and even an exchange of flags.
- You will require a minimum of 3 to 4 hours to explore even the important places in the castle, so plan accordingly.
FAQs
What is inside Prague Castle?
Inside Prague castle complex, there is a mix of palaces, churches, fortified walls, courtyards, gardens, and even towers. You do not require any payment to enter the castle grounds, but to enter the interiors and specific attractions, you will have to pay to enter and check them out. Popular attractions inside Prague castle include New Royal Palace, Old Royal Palace, and even the Queen Anne’s Summer Palace.
How much time do you need at Prague Castle?
If you are running short on time, we recommend spending at least 3 to 4 hours inside Prague castle as it is sufficient to check out only the key landmarks in the venue. However, you can still take a much longer time if you are willing to explore more inside Prague castle at your own pace and check out the attractions patiently.
What are the palaces inside of Prague Castle?
- New Royal Palace: Located in the third courtyard of Prague Castle complex, the New Royal Palace is one of the most beautiful palaces inside of Prague Castle. Surprisingly enough, the construction of this palace started in the 17th century and ended in the 18th century.
- Old Royal Palace: Once a residence building, the brilliantly architectured Old Royal Palace flaunts striking Renaissance and Gothic architectural styles, offering a true visual delight. The palace is home to the spectacular Vladislav Hall, which boasts a Gothic-style vaulted ceiling.
- Lobkowicz Palace: The majestic Lobkowicz Palace happens to be the only privately owned structure in Prague Castle. The 16th century palace is home to intriguing museums and rich fascinating collections.
- Queen Anne's Summer Palace: The Renaissance style Queen Anne's Summer Palace is nestled amidst the lush Royal Gardens of the Prague Castle complex. It was constructed between 1538 and 1560 under Ferdinand I, who dedicated it to his consort Anna Jagiellon.
When was Prague Castle built?
The magnificent Prague Castle was built sometime back in the 880s. The various halls, palaces, churches, gardens, and other buildings present inside the complex came up gradually over the following years. These buildings also have gone through multiple renovations, with most of them done between the 18th and 20th centuries.
Can you go Inside Prague Castle?
Yes, visitors can go inside of Prague Castle and take a tour of the beautiful complex. You can book your Prague Castle tickets online and get access to the various historical buildings present in the complex.
Are discounts available on Prague Castle tickets?
Yes, many amazing deals and discounts are available on Prague Castle tickets online. You can check for these at the time of your slot booking.
Which are the best gardens to explore in Prague Castle?
- Royal Garden: Established in 1534, the Royal Garden of Prague Castle was laid out under Habsburg Ferdinand I. Originally a Renaissance garden, it features an English style at present, though retaining certain Renaissance and Baroque elements.
- Stag Moat: A lush, natural ravine, Stag Moat in Prague Castle is named so as this place served as a deer breeding site in the 17th century. It was until the 18th century that spotting deer was possible here.
- Terrace of the Riding School: Established between the years 1950 and 1956, Terrace of the Riding School serves as a venue for various cultural events. It offers breathtaking panoramic views of Prague Castle.
What are some the best things you can see inside the Prague Castle?
The following are the best things to see inside Prague Castle:
- Prague Castle Gardens
- Prague Castle Orangery
- Garden Of Bastion In Prague Castle
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