Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
TOP SIGHTS
VYŠEHRAD CITADEL
The complex of buildings and structures that make up the Vyšehrad citadel has
played an important role in Czech history for more than 1000 years. While not
many of the ancient buildings have survived to the present day (indeed, most
structures date from the 18th century, when the complex was used as a fort-
ress), the citadel is still viewed as Prague's spiritual home. The main sights are
spread out over a wide area. Part of the fun is simply to stroll the park-like
grounds and admire the views.
The Birthplace of Prague
Legend has it that this high hill is the very place where Prague was born. According to
myth, a wise chieftain named Krok built a castle here in the 7th century, and Libuše,
the cleverest of his three daughters, famously prophesied that a great city would rise
someday in the valley of the Vltava.
Unfortunately, there's scant evidence for Libuše's prophesy (though it does make
for a nice story). According to the legend, Libuše went on to marry a ploughman
named Přemysl, who founded both the city of Prague and the Přemysl dynasty. (That
last part may be true since there really was a Přemysl dynasty, but records from these
days are scarce.)
Archaeological digs on Vyšehrad have turned up proof that the site was perman-
ently settled from as early as the 9th century. Indeed, early Přemysl rulers seemed to
like Vyšehrad; Boleslav II (r 972-99) may have lived here for a time. By the mid-11th
century there was a fortified settlement, and Vratislav II (r 1061-92) moved his court
here from Hradčany, beefing up the walls and adding a castle and the
Basilica of St
11am-5pm Mon-Fri,
11.30am-4pm Sat & Sun;
Vyšehrad)
. His successors stayed until 1140, when Vladislav
II returned to Hradčany.
While little physical evidence remains of Vyšehrad from the period, a hint of the
Pevnosti, Vyšehrad; open only during mass; Vyšehrad)
, Prague's oldest surviving
building. The door and frescoes date from a renovation made about 1880. The rotunda
