Walking Tour of Prague Castle Complex

The Castle District in Prague has a rich history, stretching back to more than 1100 years. It has evolved from the seat of medieval kings and is presently home to the modern presidents of democracies. Here are some of the lesser visited monuments of the region.

A supremely well preserved Renaissance palace, the Schwarzenberg Palace is visible from afar due to its unique black and white sgraffito decorations. The ceiling holds some spectacular paintings on canvas, such as The Kidnap of Helen and The Conquer of Troy. Another important destination of the tour is the Strahov Monastery. Located on a hill, it was founded by Vladius II, the Duke of Bohemia and Bishop John of Prague. It has several grand halls, some of which are mentioned below.

Basilica of the Assumption of Our Lady: Originally built in the Romanesque basilica style, it was later reconstructed in the Baroque style. The new library was built in the Theological Hall. It is well-known for its stucco decorations and several paintings on the ceiling. Presently, the library contains nearly 200,000 volumes including about 3000 manuscripts.

The largest baroque palace of Prague, the Czernin Palace currently serves as the office for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic. Built by an Italian architect, the 30 large Corinthian half-columns on the upper stories of the palace, are marvelous to behold in real life. The Black Tower, erected in 1135 as a gate to the Prague Castle, is one of the oldest buildings in Prague. It was mainly used as a prison and gets its name from a terrible fire that caused its walls to remain black for a very long time.Serving as the seat of Prague’s archbishop, the Archbishop Palace has four wings and four courtyards. The interior is designed primarily in the Rococo style, and it is famous for housing the 9 French tapestries and portraits of Prague’s archbishops.

The meeting point is just off Old Town Square – at the Discover Prague Tour Office (Celetná 12) in the heart of the Old Town at either 11 AM or 2 PM.

The guide will take you to the other side of the river, over the famous Charles Bridge. The views of the Castle and Rudolfinum will get you excited for what is in store. Once you are across the bridge, a tram ride to Strahov Monastery awaits. The cost of the tram is included in the package. After an uphill tram ride, you will reach the highest point of the hill. Breathtaking panoramic views are visible from this point.

The first part of the tour covers the Castle District, including the Czernin Palace, Loreto, Capuchin Monastery, Schwarzenberg Palace. These structures are a testament to the creativity and artistry of the architects. The detailed commentary by the local guide will give you a brief background on these monuments.

The second part of the tour covers the Castle courtyard and the prominent St. Vitus Cathedral. You will visit the St. George’s Basilica, Black Tower, Old Royal Palace and the Archbishop’s Residence. The St. Wenceslas Chapel, located within the St Vitus Cathedral is one of the most outstanding feats of art and architecture. You can view it, albeit only from the doorways. The splendor and magnificence of the Prague Castle must be witnessed in person in order to be appreciated. A quick lesson from the guide will allow you to appreciate the historical and cultural significance of these monuments to a greater extent.

The tour finishes at the castle gate facing the city. You can either continue exploring the place or take a 10-minute walk to the Old Town Square, from where you can find a means of transport.