Prague Castle (Pražský Hrad), Entrance

Prague Castle is a castle complex in Prague, dating from the 9th century. It is the official office of the President of the Czech Republic. The castle was a seat of power for kings of Bohemia, Holy Roman emperors, and presidents of Czechoslovakia. The Bohemian Crown Jewels are kept within a hidden room inside it.

Prague Castle is the largest ancient castle in the world, occupying an area of almost 70,000 square metres, at about 570 metres in length and an average of about 130 metres wide. The castle is among the most visited tourist attractions in Prague attracting over 1.8 million visitors annually.

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Prague Castle (Pražský hrad), Entrance

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Prague Castle (Pražský hrad), Side

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Prague Castle (Pražský hrad)

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Prague Castle (Pražský hrad)

Castle complex from across the river, at night

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Prague Castle (Pražský hrad)

Guards at entrance to Prague Castle

From Hradcany Square you can easily get into the I courtyard of Prague Castle by a gate decorated with statues of Fighting Giants and vases from Ferdinand Platzer, guarded by two castle guards. The Matthias Gate that leads us to the II courtyard is the oldest Baroque secular monument in the Czech Republic.

Behind the entrance is the first Castle Courtyard (První hradní nádvorí)

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Prague Castle (Pražský hrad)

Second courtyard of Prague Castle (Druhé hradní nádvorí) with Kohl’s fountain and St. Cross Chapel

It was formed on a buried moat in the 16th century. White Tower, one of towers of this name at Prague Castle, is extant in the long wing of New Royal Palace diving the second and the third courtyards opposite the Matthias Gate. Through the northern gate of II courtyard (on your left hand) you can get to Powder Bridge (Prasny most) and Royal Garden. There is also the entrance to Prague Castle Picture Gallery with a great collection of the works of art since the reign of Rudolf II, and to Imperial Stables.

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Prague Castle (Pražský hrad)

End of Second courtyard of Prague Castle

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Prague Castle (Pražský hrad)

Monolith (Monolit) in Palace courtyard II

This marble obelisk measuring over 11m (36 ft.) tall is a memorial to the victims of World War I. Just behind it is an equestrian statue of St. George, a Gothic work produced in 1373.

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Prague Castle (Pražský hrad)

Palace courtyard

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Prague Castle (Pražský hrad)

Golden Gate (Zlatá brána), Second courtyard

The tympanum over the doorway is decorated with a 14th-century mosaic, The Last Judgment, which is being carefully restored, bit by bit. The doorway's 1950s-era decorative grille is designed with zodiac figures.

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Prague Castle (Pražský hrad)

The 3 mosaics on the side of St. Vitus

The tympanum over the doorway is decorated with a 14th-century mosaic, The Last Judgment, which is being carefully restored. The doorway's 1950s-era decorative grille is designed with zodiac figures.

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Prague Castle (Pražský hrad)

Golden gate

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Prague Castle (Pražský hrad)

Vladislav Hall

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Prague Castle (Pražský hrad)

Chapel adjacent to Vladislav Hall

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