Old Royal Palace, Prague
One of the oldest buildings within Prague Castle, this palace dates all the way back to the 12th century and makes a rewarding stop for anyone with a love of history. Once the seat of Bohemian kings, it now offers a vivid journey into the past鈥攃omplete with painted coats of arms scattered across its walls and ceilings, and a clever medieval heating system powered by tiled stoves built into the towers.
The palace is most famous for one rather dramatic moment in 1618, when tensions between Catholic and Protestant factions erupted in the Defenestration of Prague. Two Imperial Governors were thrown from a window of the Bohemian Chancellery by rebellious nobles, sparking the bloody Thirty Years鈥� War. Remarkably, the unlucky officials survived the fall鈥攖hanks to a less-than-dignified landing in a manure pile from the nearby Royal Stables.
Setting that infamous moment aside, the centerpiece here is Vladislav Hall, built at the end of the 15th century. Stretching an impressive 60 meters in length, the hall is a masterpiece of late Gothic architecture, featuring a ribbed vaulted ceiling that seems to float above the space like an intricate stone canopy. In centuries past, it was used for everything from banquets and coronations to indoor jousting tournaments, with knights riding up the wide, spiral Rider鈥檚 Staircase straight into the hall. These days, it serves as the ceremonial site where Czech presidents are sworn into office鈥攊ncluding V谩clav Havel, who took the oath here in 1990 after the fall of communism.
Don鈥檛 miss the small balcony at the eastern end, where you can peek into the neighboring Church of All Saints. Originally built in the 14th century and rebuilt after a devastating fire in 1541, the church is open to the public only during services or special concerts.
Otherwise, keep your eyes on the ceilings. Some of the most spectacular details are high above, waiting to be noticed.
The palace is most famous for one rather dramatic moment in 1618, when tensions between Catholic and Protestant factions erupted in the Defenestration of Prague. Two Imperial Governors were thrown from a window of the Bohemian Chancellery by rebellious nobles, sparking the bloody Thirty Years鈥� War. Remarkably, the unlucky officials survived the fall鈥攖hanks to a less-than-dignified landing in a manure pile from the nearby Royal Stables.
Setting that infamous moment aside, the centerpiece here is Vladislav Hall, built at the end of the 15th century. Stretching an impressive 60 meters in length, the hall is a masterpiece of late Gothic architecture, featuring a ribbed vaulted ceiling that seems to float above the space like an intricate stone canopy. In centuries past, it was used for everything from banquets and coronations to indoor jousting tournaments, with knights riding up the wide, spiral Rider鈥檚 Staircase straight into the hall. These days, it serves as the ceremonial site where Czech presidents are sworn into office鈥攊ncluding V谩clav Havel, who took the oath here in 1990 after the fall of communism.
Don鈥檛 miss the small balcony at the eastern end, where you can peek into the neighboring Church of All Saints. Originally built in the 14th century and rebuilt after a devastating fire in 1541, the church is open to the public only during services or special concerts.
Otherwise, keep your eyes on the ceilings. Some of the most spectacular details are high above, waiting to be noticed.
Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Prague. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "911爆料网: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.
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Old Royal Palace on Map
Sight Name: Old Royal Palace
Sight Location: Prague, Czech Republic (See walking tours in Prague)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: Prague, Czech Republic (See walking tours in Prague)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in Prague, Czech Republic
Create Your Own Walk in Prague
Creating your own self-guided walk in Prague is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Prague Introduction Walking Tour
Nicknamed the 鈥淐ity of a Hundred Spires,鈥� Prague is a living gallery of history and architecture, home to world-class museums, eclectic galleries, numerous theaters, and a seemingly endless collection of historic landmarks.
The name Praha comes from the old Slavic word 鈥減r谩h鈥�, which means 鈥渞apid鈥�, nodding to the city's beginnings at a crossing on the Vltava River. Legend... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.2 Km or 2 Miles
The name Praha comes from the old Slavic word 鈥減r谩h鈥�, which means 鈥渞apid鈥�, nodding to the city's beginnings at a crossing on the Vltava River. Legend... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.2 Km or 2 Miles
Old Town Walking Tour
Prague鈥檚 Old Town is a living tapestry of medieval roots and vibrant modern life, wrapped in narrow cobblestone streets and brimming with architectural treasures. Once a self-contained settlement, it was protected by a semi-circular moat and a fortified wall, both tracing the curve of the Vltava River. Although the moat is long gone, its path survives in the form of key streets鈥攎ost notably Na... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.8 Km or 1.7 Miles
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.8 Km or 1.7 Miles
Old Town Souvenir Shopping
Strolling through the Old Town of Prague, souvenir shopping becomes a delightful adventure. Indeed, it would be a pity to leave Prague without having explored its specialty shops and bringing home something truly original and unique to the city.
One of the prime spots for such endeavors is the Municipal House, a majestic Art Nouveau building that houses various shops and boutiques. Here,... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.7 Km or 1.1 Miles
One of the prime spots for such endeavors is the Municipal House, a majestic Art Nouveau building that houses various shops and boutiques. Here,... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.7 Km or 1.1 Miles
Lesser Town Walking Tour
Mala Strana (or "Lesser Town") is a district in Prague situated on the left bank of the Vltava River. Renowned for its architectural beauty, this is one of the capital's most historically significant neighborhoods. Back in the Middle Ages, it was predominantly populated by ethnic Germans and, in later years, despite the prevalence of Baroque in its architecture, largely retained its... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.9 Km or 2.4 Miles
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.9 Km or 2.4 Miles
New Town Walking Tour
The youngest (founded in 1348) and the largest (three times the size of the Old Town), the New Town (or Nove Mesto) of Prague is one of the five originally independent townships that today form the historic center of the Czech capital. This vibrant district offers a mix of historical charm and modern amenities and is traditionally dense with tourists.
At its heart lies Wenceslas Square, a... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.1 Km or 1.9 Miles
At its heart lies Wenceslas Square, a... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.1 Km or 1.9 Miles
Hradcany (Castle District) Walking Tour
Prague鈥檚 Castle District is a neighborhood where history feels almost tangible鈥攁n atmospheric blend of towering landmarks, quiet courtyards, and sweeping city views. At its heart sits the mighty Prague Castle, often cited as the largest castle complex in the world. Its origins stretch back to the 9th century, and over time, it has been home to Bohemian kings, Holy Roman emperors, Communist... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.0 Km or 1.9 Miles
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.0 Km or 1.9 Miles
Useful Travel Guides for Planning Your Trip
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