Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
backtoHradčany,intoanewpalace, afterwhichVyšehradbegantoloseitspolitical signific-
ance.
The fortress enjoyed something of a renaissance under Emperor Charles IV, who wished
to associate his own dynasty with that of the early Přemyslids. A system of walls was built
to link the fortress to the newly founded Nové Město, and it was decreed that the
králová
cesta
(coronation route) should begin from here. Those fortifications were destroyed by the
Hussites
in 1420, but the hill was settled again over the next two hundred years. In the mid-
seventeenth century, the Habsburgs turfed everyone out and rebuilt the place as a fortified
barracks,onlytotearitdownin1866tocreateapublicpark.Bythetimethe
Czechnational
revival
movement became interested in Vyšehrad, only the red-brick fortifications were left
asareminderofitsformerstrategicimportance; theyrediscovereditshistoryanditslegends,
and gradually transformed it into a symbol of Czech nationhood. Today, Vyšehrad - visited,
it has to be said, mostly by Czech day-trippers - makes for one of the most rewarding ex-
cursions from the human congestion of the city, a perfect afternoon escape and a great place
from which to watch the evening sun set behind the Hrad.
Sv Petr and Pavel
Daily 10am-4pm • 30Kč • 224 911 353 • Metro Vyšehrad
Dominatingtheskylineofthecity'ssouthernsuburbs,theblackenedsandstone
basilicaofsv
Petr and Pavel
was rebuilt in the 1880s by Josef Mocker in neo-Gothic style on the site of
an eleventh-century basilica. The twin open-work spires were the last elements to be added
and are the fortress's most familiar landmark. The seventeen bells play one of fifty melodies
every hour on the hour. Inside, you can admire the church's Art Nouveau murals, which cov-
er every available surface.
