Up to the 16th century the residence of Bohemian princes and kings. It was built on relics of the romanesque palace of the Prince Sobeslav. Additional reconstructions in the gothic and renaissance styles were initiated by famous Czech kings Premysl Otakar II, Charles IV, Wenceslas IV and Vladislav Jagello. The most noteworthy space is the gothic Vladislav Hall - the largest profane hall of the medieval Prague (1487 - 1500 Benedikt Rejt) with a remarkable rounded rib vault, today the scene of presidential elections and representative events.

St. George's Convent (Klaster sv. Jiri)

Founded in AD 973 by Prince Boleslav and his sister Mlada for the Benedictine Order. Dissolved in 1782, reconstructed and reopened in 1976 as part of the National Gallery, it contains collections of old Czech Art.

St. Vitus, St. Wenceslas and St. Adalbert Cathedral (Katedrala svateho Vita, Vaclava a Vojtecha)

This Gothic cathedral, the spiritual symbol of the Czech state, founded in the year by Jan Lucembursky (John of Luxembourg) and his sons Karel and Jan Jindrich. It took nearly six centuries to build. Begun in 1344 by Mathias Arras and Petr Parler upon the site of a 10th-century rotunda, the final phase of construction ended only in the period 1873-1929.. The cathedral contains undergrounds tombs of Czech kings. Parler also built St. Wenceslas Chapel, which is decorated with frescoes and semi-precious stones. The coronation jewels are deposited here, too.

Imperial stable (Kralovske staje)

Located at ground level of the northern wing of the Castle contains an exhibition hall.

Golden Lane (Zlata ulicka)

Small houses built in the gothic fortification, the 16th century homes of castle riflemen and craftsmen. In 1916 - 1917 Franz Kafka used to work in No. 22.

The Daliborka Tower (Daliborka)

A military tower built in 1496 by Benedict Rejt as a part of the castle fortifications, and used as a jail till the end of 18th century. It was given its name after the first prisoner Dalibor of Kozojedy. It was Dalibor´s story which was put to music by Bedrich Smetana in his opera Dalibor (1868).

The Powder Tower Mihulka (Mihulka)

This tower, the diameter of which is 20 m, comes from the 15th century, part of the castle fortifications. It was used at various periods to store gunpowder. It houses exhibitions of medieval arts and crafts, astrology and alchemy from the time of Rudolf II.

Castle Gallery (Obrazarna Prazskeho hradu)

In the place of what were once stables, a gallery was built at Prague Castle. The pictures of late Rudolf's Gallery were discovered and for a fine art collection. Many paintings from Rudolf II's gallery were rediscovered and identified only in 1961-62, including works by Tizian, Tintoretto, Rubens, Czech Baroque Art and others.

St. George Basilica (Basilika sv. Jiri)

The oldest preserved church building of the Prague Castle. A Romanesque basilica was founded in AD 920 near the Benedictine monastery,and rebuilt in the 10th and the 12th centuries.

The former Burgrave's House

This 16th century Renaissance building houses a museum of toys (see Museums).

Lobkovic Palace (Lobkovicky palac)

The Pernstein family began construction of this palace in the mid-16th century.In 1627 it became the property of Polyxena of Lobkovic and was rebuilt in 1651-68 by Carlo Lurago in the form seen today. Since 1983 it has been a part of the National Museum, containing monuments of Czech history including copies of the coronation jewels.

Ball Games House (Micovna)

A Renaissance building with graffito decoration situated in the Royal Garden. It was used as barracks at one time, nowadays it is is an exhibition and concert hall.

The Prague Castle Riding Hall (Jizdarna Prazskeho hradu)

A baroque building from the late 17th century, today a place of exhibition.

Queen Anna´s Summerhouse (Letohradek kralovny Anny)

Perhaps the most remarkable Renaissance building in Prague, this palace was built on plans of Paolo della Stella in 1535-1537 but not finished until 1557-63 under the direction of the architect B. Wohlmut. The famous Singing Fountain, whose drops of water make music, is in the garden and was designed and cast by Tomas Jaros in 1564-68. The exposition of the African Art is situated here.

The Prague Castle Gardens (Zahrady Prazskeho hradu)

The Royal Garden was founded in 1534. South Gardens - Paradise, On the Bastion, On the Riding Hall Terrace, Upper and Lower Deer Gully and Masaryk Vista. As a rule the gardens are opened at 10 a.m. by fanfares from the Hartig Music Pavilion.

Opening hours:
The Prague Castle premises are open to the public daily 5 a.m. - 12 p.m. (April to October), 5 a.m. - 11 p.m. (November to March). Changing of the Guards at the Castle gates every hour starting at 5 a.m. - 11 p.m., or 12 p.m., at noon with fanfares and banner exchange. All the Prague Castle sights are open daily 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. (April to October), 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. (November to March), Prague Castle Gardens daily 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. (April to October).

Combinated tickets for the sites open to the public (Old Royal Palace, the eastern gothic part of the St. Vitus, St. Wenceslas and St. Adalbert Cathedral with the tomb of the Kings of Bohemia and the cathedral spire, St. George´s Basilica, Mihulka Powder Tower, Golden Lane, Daliborka Tower) can be purchased in the Information Centre on the third castle courtyard or at each site. Admission tothe Prague Castle gardens is free of charge. The tower of the cathedral is open from April to October, if favourable weather.
The Information Centre (phone 224 373 368) provides both Czech and foreign languages guides,specialised tours or lectures as well as guides for the disabled. A plastic Braille guide-book for blind persons is available free of charge.

Loretto (Loreta)

Prague 1, Loretanske namesti 7

This former place of pilgrimage with the copy of Santa Casa was built in 1626-31, and the Baroque Church of the Nativity of Our Lord was added in 1734-35. The facade of the front wing was rebuilt by K. I. Dienzenhofer in 1720-22. The tower contains 27 loretto bells which play a Marian song We Greet You a Thousand Times (every hour from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.).The most valuable item of the liturgical treasury is the so-called Prague Sun, a monstrance weighing over 12 kg and embellished with 6,222 diamonds.

Open daily, except Mondays from 9 a.m. to 12.15 p.m., and from 1 p.m. to 4.30 p.m.

Cernin Palace (Cerninsky palac)

Prague 1, Loretanske namesti 5
This early Baroque palace, now the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, was built by Francesco Caratti in 1669-87. Its garden is open to the public from time to time in the summer months.

Strahov Monastery (Strahovsky klaster)
http://www.strahovskyklaster.cz

Prague 1, Strahovske nadvori 1/132

A Monastery of the Premonstratensian Order at Strahov, originally in Romanesque style, including the Church of Our Lady and the Strahov Library.The Library contains an early Baroque Theological Hall from 1671-79 and a Classicism Philosophical Hall from 1785-94, decorated with frescoes by A. Maulbertsch.

Open daily except Monday 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.