Prague Castle is the largest ancient castle in the world and perched above the storybook city of Prague, is quite an intimidating monument. The castle stares down the hill at old town Prague and the hike to the summit and the guarded entrance is an adventure of its own. In a city with so many beautiful buildings and well preserved structures, Prague Castle is the king of them all and one can spend half a day exploring the castle and its many nearby attractions.
The hike up to Prague castle is an adventure in and of itself as making the ascent from old town across the Charles Bridge and over the hill is a favorite activity among travelers looking to explore the rich history of Prague while getting a little exercise. The history of the castle began all the way back in 870AD when Prince Borivoj ordered the castle to be built. Since that time the castle has served as a symbol of the Czech people and Christianity within the region. While the castle has endured a great deal of destruction and reconstruction in a wide variety of architectural styles over the years, this is something that makes this place all the more unique.
During reconstruction and restoration efforts in the 1920's a large archeological area was rediscovered which showed the original size of the castles footprint was much the same as the size of the site that the castle is built upon today. In a region that has undergone so many changes and revolutions over the years, Prague Castle is perhaps the best symbol of this great city and represents the people that live here and the struggles they have endured. In the years since its demolition and constant reconstruction efforts, the castle has become an important cultural center for the arts and now features quite an amazing collection of art work.
The castle is quite an impressive building, standing high above the city peering down with a dominating presence. Gothic, neo-gothic, Renaissance and Baroque elements can all be seen in the castle and this is one of the top sites in all of Prague for lovers of fine architecture. The ornate statues and attention to detail within the castles design show visitors that this place spared no detail in its construction and later restorations. This was the location that ruled this region for centuries as the home of Czech Kings and Princes for many generations.
To view the exterior areas of the castle there is no admission, however to enter visitors must purchase tickets and guided tours are available here in multiple languages. Check ahead for the opening times as they do change seasonally. Also keep in mind that this is one of the top attractions in all of central Europe and can get quite busy especially in the high tourist season (summer). Do your best to get here early and you might have a better experience and see smaller groups for a more intimate experience. Don't forget to check out the many galleries here, some of which are included in the price of entry to the castle. These are some of the best art galleries in all of Prague.
