Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
The casTLe
QuarTer
Hradčany
Looming above Prague, dominating its skyline, is the Castle
Quarter. Prague Castle and its surrounding sights are packed with
Czech history, as well as with tourists. In addition to the castle
itself, I enjoy visiting the nearby Strahov Monastery—which has a
fascinating old library and beautiful views over all of Prague.
Castle Square (Hradčanské Náměstí)—right in front of the
castle gates—is at the center of this neighborhood. Stretching
along the promontory away from the castle is a regal neighborhood
that ends at the Strahov Monastery. Above the castle are the Royal
Gardens, and below the castle are more gardens and lanes leading
down to the Little Quarter (see previous chapter).
Getting to Prague Castle
If you're not up for a hike, the tram offers a sweat-free ride up to
the castle. Taxis are expensive, as they have to go the long way
around (200 Kč).
By Foot:
Begin in the Little Quarter (see page 88), just across
Charles Bridge from the Old Town. Hikers can follow the main
cobbled road (Mostecká) from Charles Bridge to Little Quarter
Square, marked by the huge, green-domed Church of St. Nicholas.
(The nearest Metro stop is Malostranská, from which Valdštejnská
street leads down to Little Quarter Square.) From Little Quarter
Square, hike uphill along Nerudova street (described on page 91).
After about 10 minutes, a steep lane on the right leads to the castle.
(If you continue straight, Nerudova becomes Úvoz and climbs to
the Strahov Monastery.)
By Tram:
Tram #22 takes you up to the castle (see page 50 for
my self-guided tram tour, which ends at the castle). While you can
catch the tram in various places, these three stops are particularly
convenient: at the Národní Třída Metro stop (between Wenceslas
