Eastern and Central Europe (Eyewitness Travel Guides)

232 CENTRAL EASTERN EUROPE

For hotels and restaurants in this region see pp288–91 and pp292–5

The history of Prague began with the

foundation of Prague Castle in the 9th cen tury.

Despite fires and inva sions, the castle

has retained churches, chapels and towers

from every period of its history, from the

Gothic splendour of St Vitus’s Cathedral

(see pp236–7) to the 16th-century Renaissance

additions. The court yards date from 1753–75,

when the whole area was rebuilt in the late-

Baroque and Neo-Classical styles. The castle

became the seat of the Czechoslovak presi-

dent in 1918 and the current president of

the Czech Republic has an office here.

President’s

Office

Second

courtyard

Matthias

Gate

To Castle

Square

Church of the

Holy Rood

Third courtyard

First

courtyard

. St Vitus’s Cathedral
This relief in the Gothic St
Vitus’s Cathedral decorates
the Golden Portal 3

South Gardens

Here 18th-century statues

stand along the old ramparts.

Prague Castle Picture

Gallery Renaissance and

Baroque paintings hang

in the restored stables of

the castle 1

Street-by-Street: Prague Castle

Gothic reliquary of
St George’s arm in
St Vitus’s Cathedral

To Royal

Garden

The Powder Tower, used in the

past for storing gunpowder and as

a bell foundry, is now a museum.

Castle Gates
The gates of the castle
are crowned by copies
of 18th-century statues
called Fighting Giants
by Ignaz Platzer.