Prague Castle is one of the largest castles in the world and the most important monument in the Czech Republic.
Far from the appearance of a fortified medieval castle, Prague Castle is composed of palaces and buildings, surrounded by small, picturesque streets.
Prague Castle is considered the largest single-unit castle in the world. It covers an area of 70,000 square meters and, thanks to its elevated position, dominates the entire city.
Its strategic location made it the nerve center of the area and the residence of the Kings of Bohemia since its founding.
Under Emperor Charles IV, the Castle was rebuilt in Gothic style, with the construction of a new cathedral.
In 1918, Prague Castle became the official residence of the President of the Czech Republic.
Prague Castle is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and offers many sites of historical, cultural, and artistic interest within its walls.
The Old Royal Palace is the original building of the residence and has undergone modifications over the centuries until reaching its current state. Today, prestigious historical halls from the 1500s, where royal elections and oaths were held, are visible.
In the Prague Castle complex, there is an alley lined with 11 colorful buildings, named after the fact that it was once inhabited by goldsmiths. The houses were originally built to house archers and their families, and to maximize space, the buildings are closely packed together, resembling a village. One of the most famous is house number 22, where Franz Kafka lived during World War I.
St. George’s Basilica was founded in 920 but expanded in 973 with the construction of the convent, which currently houses the National Gallery’s collection of 19th-century Bohemian art.
