Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Just beyond this, the Chapel of the Holy Rood (Kaple sv. K r í z e) leads to the
entrance of the underground royal crypt. In the early 1900s, the crypt was recon-
structed, and the remains of the kings and their relatives were replaced in new sar-
cophagi. The center sarcophagus is the final resting place of Charles IV, the favorite
Bohemian king who died in 1378 and is the namesake of much of Prague. In the back
row are Charles's four wives (all in one sarcophagus), and in front of them is George
of Pod ê brady, the last Bohemian king, who died in 1471.
CONTINUING THROUGH THE CASTLE COMPLEX
For more than 700 years, beginning in the 9th century, Bohemian kings and princes
resided in the Royal Palace (Královsk ; palác), located in the third courtyard of the
castle grounds. Vaulted Vladislav Hall (Vladislavsk ; sál), the interior's centerpiece,
hosted coronations and is still used for special occasions of state such as inaugurations
of presidents. The adjacent Diet was where kings and queens met with their advisers
and where the Supreme Court was held.
St. George's Basilica (Kostel sv. Ji r í), adjacent to the Royal Palace, is Prague's old-
est Romanesque structure, dating from the 10th century. It also houses Bohemia's first
convent. No longer serving a religious function, the convent contains a gallery of
Gothic Czech art.
Golden Lane (Zlatá uli c ka) and Daliborka Tower is a picturesque street of tiny
16th-century houses built into the castle fortifications. Once home to castle sharp-
shooters, the houses now contain small shops, galleries, and refreshment bars. In
1917, Franz Kafka is said to have lived briefly at no. 22; however, the debate contin-
ues as to whether Kafka actually took up residence or just worked in a small office
there.
CROSSING THE VLTAVA: CHARLES BRIDGE
Dating from the 14th century, Charles Bridge (Karl * v most) , Prague's most
celebrated structure, links Prague Castle to Staré M ê sto. For most of its 600 years, the
510m-long (1,673-ft.) span has been a pedestrian promenade, though for centuries
walkers had to share the concourse with horse-drawn vehicles and trolleys. Today, the
bridge is filled with folks walking among artists and busking musicians.
The best times to stroll across the bridge are early morning and around sunset,
when the crowds have thinned and the shadows are more mysterious.
OTHER TOP SIGHTS
Hradcany
Strahov Monastery and Library (Strahovsk; kláster) The second-oldest
monastery in Prague, Strahov was founded high above Malá Strana in 1143 by
Vladislav II. It's still home to Premonstratensian monks, a scholarly order closely
related to the Jesuits, and their dormitories and refectory are off-limits. What draws
visitors are the monastery's ornate libraries, holding more than 125,000 volumes.
Strahovské nádvorí 1, Praha 1. & 220-517-278. www.strahovskyklaster.cz. Admission 80Kc ($3.35/£2) adults, 50Kc
($2/£1) students. Daily 9am-noon and 1-5pm. Tram: 22 or 23 from Malostranská metro station.
Malá Strana (Lesser Town)
Church of St. Nicholas (Chrám sv. Mikuláse) This church is one of
the best examples of high baroque north of the Alps. However, K. I. Dienzenhofer's
1711 design didn't have the massive dome that now dominates the Lesser Town skyline
Moments
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