From Prague Castle to the Old Town Private Tour
Prague, Czech Republic
Trip Type: Historical & Heritage Tours
Duration: 3 hours
On this 3-hour guided walking tour you will see Prague Castle, the oldest and largest permanently inhabited residence of Bohemian monarchs and rulers in the world and admire St. Vitus Cathedral, the largest Catholic church in the Czech Republic. No less remarkable than the structure itself are the spiritual meanings of its symbolism, which Charles IV himself incorporated into it. Explore one of the city's most historic regions, the Lesser Town district, as well as the richly decorated Charles Bridge which leads to Old Town Prague.
More About This Activity All Historical & Heritage Tours →
On this 3-hour guided walking tour you will see Prague Castle, the oldest and largest permanently inhabited residence of Bohemian monarchs and rulers in the world and admire St. Vitus Cathedral, the largest Catholic church in the Czech Republic. No less remarkable than the structure itself are the spiritual meanings of its symbolism, which Charles IV himself incorporated into it. Explore one of the city's most historic regions, the Lesser Town district, as well as the richly decorated Charles Bridge which leads to Old Town Prague.
Meet your guide in the afternoon and cross the Prašný Bridge to the Royal Garden, where you will enter the complex of Prague Castle via its northern gate. The castle is the oldest and largest permanently inhabited residence of Bohemian princes, kings and presidents in the world. Since the 9th century, the royal dynasties of the Premyslid, Luxemburg, Jagiellon and Habsburg families have taken turns living here. Under the reign of Charles IV, Prague Castle also first became an imperial residence and the seat of the ruler of the Holy Roman Empire. After the creation of Czechoslovakia in 1918, served as the residence of presidents and this is also the case in the Czech Republic today.
Passing through individual courtyards, enter the part of St. Vitus Cathedral which is open to the public. The cathedral is the largest and most important Catholic church in the Czech Republic and a symbol of Czech statehood. Its construction was commenced by Charles IV in 1344, but it was not completed until 1929. Generations of architects from the Gothic, Late Gothic, Baroque and Neo-Gothic periods participated in its construction. Coronations of Bohemian kings and queens were held in the cathedral. Monarchs, archbishops and aristocrats are buried here and you can also find the relics of saints. The St. Wenceslas Chapel houses the remains of St. Wenceslas, the most important patron saint and builder of the St. Wenceslas Rotunda, which originally stood on this site.
Before leaving the castle complex via the Matyáš Gate, you can still see the foundations of the first stone church building in the complex, the Church of the Virgin Mary dating back to the 9th century. Emerge out onto Hradčany Square. Around its perimeter, you will see original, predominantly Renaissance palaces dating back to the 16th century, most of which nowadays house collections of the National Gallery.
Leave Hradčany Square and come to the center of the Lesser Town, Malostranské náměstí. Then continue along Mostecká to the tour's finish at Charles Bridge, one of the oldest stone bridges in Europe, standing on the site of the older Judith Bridge. Again, it is the Czech King Charles IV and the architect Petr Parléř who designed St. Vitus Cathedral that are responsible for construction of the bridge. Most of the Baroque sculptures decorating the bridge were created over the course of subsequent centuries. Learn about the statues on the Charles Bridge, about the stories and legends relating to it as well as about the history of the bridge towers on both banks of the Vltava.
Meet your guide in the afternoon and cross the Prašný Bridge to the Royal Garden, where you will enter the complex of Prague Castle via its northern gate. The castle is the oldest and largest permanently inhabited residence of Bohemian princes, kings and presidents in the world. Since the 9th century, the royal dynasties of the Premyslid, Luxemburg, Jagiellon and Habsburg families have taken turns living here. Under the reign of Charles IV, Prague Castle also first became an imperial residence and the seat of the ruler of the Holy Roman Empire. After the creation of Czechoslovakia in 1918, served as the residence of presidents and this is also the case in the Czech Republic today.
Passing through individual courtyards, enter the part of St. Vitus Cathedral which is open to the public. The cathedral is the largest and most important Catholic church in the Czech Republic and a symbol of Czech statehood. Its construction was commenced by Charles IV in 1344, but it was not completed until 1929. Generations of architects from the Gothic, Late Gothic, Baroque and Neo-Gothic periods participated in its construction. Coronations of Bohemian kings and queens were held in the cathedral. Monarchs, archbishops and aristocrats are buried here and you can also find the relics of saints. The St. Wenceslas Chapel houses the remains of St. Wenceslas, the most important patron saint and builder of the St. Wenceslas Rotunda, which originally stood on this site.
Before leaving the castle complex via the Matyáš Gate, you can still see the foundations of the first stone church building in the complex, the Church of the Virgin Mary dating back to the 9th century. Emerge out onto Hradčany Square. Around its perimeter, you will see original, predominantly Renaissance palaces dating back to the 16th century, most of which nowadays house collections of the National Gallery.
Leave Hradčany Square and come to the center of the Lesser Town, Malostranské náměstí. Then continue along Mostecká to the tour's finish at Charles Bridge, one of the oldest stone bridges in Europe, standing on the site of the older Judith Bridge. Again, it is the Czech King Charles IV and the architect Petr Parléř who designed St. Vitus Cathedral that are responsible for construction of the bridge. Most of the Baroque sculptures decorating the bridge were created over the course of subsequent centuries. Learn about the statues on the Charles Bridge, about the stories and legends relating to it as well as about the history of the bridge towers on both banks of the Vltava.
« Go Back