Schwarzenberg Palace, Prague
Easily one of Prague鈥檚 most striking architectural marvels, this Renaissance-style palace, built in the 16th century, makes quite the first impression. Its fa莽ade was designed to trick the eye with a painted pattern that mimics three-dimensional pyramidal stonework. The effect is so convincing, many passersby assume it鈥檚 sculpted relief, when in fact, it's a clever illusion rendered entirely in paint.
Step inside, and you鈥檒l find the interior just as captivating. Ceilings are draped with vast canvas paintings stretched over wooden frames, depicting dramatic scenes like the Judgment of Paris and the Conquest of Troy. Carefully restored during a renovation completed in 2008, these paintings give the rooms a theatrical grandeur that鈥檚 hard to ignore.
Today, the palace is part of the National Gallery of Prague and plays host to a rotating calendar of exhibitions. On the ground floor, you鈥檒l find a refined collection of religious art and sculpture. One level up, you鈥檙e in the company of Renaissance and Baroque legends鈥擱ubens, Bruegel, El Greco, and Czech master Petr Brandl among them. But the real surprise waits on the top level, where visitors are treated to a formidable collection of Baroque weaponry and armor鈥攈elmets, swords, and ornate muskets that once saw ceremonial and battlefield use.
Here鈥檚 a handy tip: go for the combined ticket with nearby Sternberg Palace. If you're 26 or younger, you're in luck鈥攖he ticket is free. And for everyone else, it offers incredible value, granting access to all National Gallery sites in Prague for 10 days. It鈥檚 an art-lover鈥檚 passport to some of the city鈥檚 finest collections.
Step inside, and you鈥檒l find the interior just as captivating. Ceilings are draped with vast canvas paintings stretched over wooden frames, depicting dramatic scenes like the Judgment of Paris and the Conquest of Troy. Carefully restored during a renovation completed in 2008, these paintings give the rooms a theatrical grandeur that鈥檚 hard to ignore.
Today, the palace is part of the National Gallery of Prague and plays host to a rotating calendar of exhibitions. On the ground floor, you鈥檒l find a refined collection of religious art and sculpture. One level up, you鈥檙e in the company of Renaissance and Baroque legends鈥擱ubens, Bruegel, El Greco, and Czech master Petr Brandl among them. But the real surprise waits on the top level, where visitors are treated to a formidable collection of Baroque weaponry and armor鈥攈elmets, swords, and ornate muskets that once saw ceremonial and battlefield use.
Here鈥檚 a handy tip: go for the combined ticket with nearby Sternberg Palace. If you're 26 or younger, you're in luck鈥攖he ticket is free. And for everyone else, it offers incredible value, granting access to all National Gallery sites in Prague for 10 days. It鈥檚 an art-lover鈥檚 passport to some of the city鈥檚 finest collections.
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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Schwarzenberg Palace on Map
Sight Name: Schwarzenberg 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.
Lesser Town Walking Tour
Mal谩 Strana, or the 鈥淟esser Town,鈥� lies along the left bank of the Vltava River and remains one of Prague鈥檚 most charming and historically layered districts. In medieval times, it was primarily settled by ethnic Germans, and even as Baroque architecture reshaped the neighborhood following the devastating fire of 1541, the area held onto its Germanic roots for generations. Its location near... 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
Jewish Quarter Walking Tour
The Jewish Quarter of Prague carries over a thousand years of memory etched into its streets, synagogues, and gravestones. Jewish communities began settling in this area as early as the 10th century, and although they were later forced into a walled ghetto, they cultivated a vibrant cultural and intellectual life鈥攅specially during the 16th century, a golden age shaped by the influence of Rabbi... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.1 Km or 0.7 Miles
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.1 Km or 0.7 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
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
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
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
Useful Travel Guides for Planning Your Trip
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