Prague Castle

Fast Facts

Location: Prague Center, Hradcany, Prague 1
Best time to Visit: Throughout the year
Preferred Timing: 1st April to 31st October — 5:00 am till 12 midnight
1st November to 31st March — 6:00 am till 11:00 pm
Entrance Fees: Full — CZK 350; Discount — CZK 175; Family (2 ad + 5 ch.) — CZK 500
Discounted fees for 6 — 16 years, seniors over 65 yrs., secondary and
University students upto 26 years of age
How to Reach:By metro to Malostranska and then by tram car nos. 22, 23 to Prazsky Hrad
Nearest Railway station: Hlavni Nadrazi
Nearest Metro station: Malostranska
Nearest International airport: Ruzyne International Airport
Time for sightseeing: 2 hours

It is the most famous act of defenestration in history. On May 23, 1618, a council of Protestant ministers adjudged two Catholic representatives as violators of the doctrine of religious tolerance put forward by Emperor Rudolfi, King of Bohemia in 1609, and threw them out of a window of the Prague Castle! It resulted in the Thirty Years War. The window is one of the chief attractions of the Prague Castle, along with the changing of guards that happen everyday, and is a study in contrast to the solemn affair of the Buckingham Palace in London. It is much more light-hearted.

Prague Castle, presumably established by Prince Borivoj of Premyslides in 880, is the largest castle of medieval Europe. 10th century onwards the Castle of Prague was not only the seat of the Czech king but also the highest representative of the church in Czechoslovakia. The first Bohemian convent for the Benedictine nuns was first established in the premises of Prague Castle. This imperial castle is not just one structure, but a premise consisting of the Royal Summer Palace, Old Royal Palace, Lobkowicz Palace, St. Vitus Cathedral, The Supreme Burgrave's House, St. George's Basilica and Convent, Spanish Hall, Powder Tower, Ball Game Hall, Golden Lane, Royal Garden, and Southern Gardens. Sufficient information about the church was revealed during a research work between 1925 and 1929, and from archeological excavations after 1945. After the research studies in 1929 an assessment of the old castle was possible. Archeological studies after 1945 revealed the existence of Church of Virgin Mary, the earliest Christian Church of Prague, the oldest burial ground of Premyslid princes, and a skeleton burial ground in Lumbe Garden inside Prague Castle compound. The most remarkable discovery was that of a Renaissance period ceramic water pipeline for the supply of drinking water. However, the most valuable findings were those of gold and silver jewelry from graves dating back to the 10th century. These jewelry items mainly in the form of drum shaped or animal headed earrings were brought from Great Moravia. The rarest discoveries include a 13th century Arabian glass cup with stylized dolphin and gilded inscriptions, and painted bottles and glass cups belonging to the 12th and 13th centuries.

Surprising discovery includes bones of fishes and animals, and shells of oysters and snails. These discoveries testify the richness of local food habits.

If the Prague Castle in Czech Republic is the topmost cultural heritage, the Czech Crown Jewels ranks second. The set of Czech Crown Jewels include St. Wenceslas Crown, the Royal Scepter, the Royal Apple, and the Coronation Cloak. These Crown Jewels kept in the most secure manner in the Crown Jewels Chamber in St. Vitus Cathedral is displayed only on special occasions on the decision of the President of the Republic. It was last displayed in 1998 on the 80th anniversary of the formation of independent Czech Republic. The Jewel Chamber and the safe each has seven locks with the keys with i) the President, ii) the Prime Minister, iii) the Archbishop of Prague, iv) the Chairman of the Senate, v) the Chairman of the House of Deputies, vi) Lord Mayor of Prague, and vii) the Dean of the Metropolitan Chapter of St. Vitus Cathedral. King Leopold II in 1791 introduced this tradition of having seven keys for the chamber and safe.

Watch the 'Change of Guards' every hour, preferably at midday which is accompanied by a lot of fanfare. Summer time is the best time to visit Prague Castle since the Palace Gardens are in full bloom during that time.

Related Links :

http://in.youtube.com/watch?v=TGAMtzrJBwA: Find out great views of the Prague Castle in this video! You will be fascinated by the exquisite architecture of the palace, the home of what was once counted among the most powerful European monarchy.

http://in.youtube.com/watch?v=RolmLTd1rxk&feature=related: For a view of the expanse and grandeur of the interior of the Prague Castle, watch this first hand traveler's video!

http://realtravel.com/prague-journals-j4169006.html: Find out more about a visit to the Prague Castle and the surrounding areas from this travel blog.