The royal route to the castle
A single continuous line from Old Town Square, across the Vltava, and up to St Vitus Cathedral inside Prague Castle.
Segments
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Old Town SquareStaroměstská metro station → Old Town Square
City streets, cobbles
Start in the square that has been the heart of Prague for a thousand years, ringed by pastel townhouses, the twin Gothic towers of the Church of Our Lady before Týn, and the baroque St Nicholas Church. In the centre stands the monument to the reformer Jan Hus. Allow about 30 minutes to get your bearings.
About this place
Old Town Square is a historic square in the Old Town quarter of Prague, the capital of the Czech Republic. It is located between Wenceslas Square and Charles Bridge.
Read more on Wikipedia ↗Photo: A.Savin · FAL
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The Astronomical ClockOld Town Square → Old Town Hall
City streets, cobbles
On the south wall of the Old Town Hall turns the Orloj, first installed in 1410 and the oldest astronomical clock still working. On the hour the figures of Death and the Apostles perform their brief show. Climb the tower for a rooftop view over the square. About 30 minutes with the show.
About this place
The Prague astronomical clock, or Prague Orloj, is a medieval astronomical clock attached to the Old Town Hall in Prague, the capital of the Czech Republic.
Read more on Wikipedia ↗Photo: Steve Collis from Melbourne, Australia · CC BY 2.0
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Charles BridgeOld Town Hall → Charles Bridge
City streets, stone bridge
Wind down Karlova street to the river and cross on the bridge begun in 1357 under Charles IV. Some 516 metres of Bohemian sandstone on sixteen arches, it is lined with thirty mostly baroque statues and framed at each end by a medieval tower. It was the only crossing of the Vltava until 1841. About 40 minutes.
About this place
Charles Bridge is a medieval stone arch bridge that crosses the Vltava river in Prague, Czech Republic. Its construction started in 1357 under the auspices of King Charles IV, and finished in the early 15th century. The bridge replaced the old Judith Bridge built 1158–1172 that had been severely damaged by a flood in 1342. This new bridge was originally called Stone Bridge or Prague Bridge, but has been referred to as "Charles Bridge" since 1870.
Read more on Wikipedia ↗Photo: A.Savin · FAL
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The Lesser TownCharles Bridge → Malá Strana
City streets, cobbles
Step off the bridge into Malá Strana, the Lesser Town founded in 1257 below the castle hill. Its narrow baroque streets climb past palace gardens and the great green dome of St Nicholas Church toward the castle gates. A good place to pause for lunch. About 40 minutes at a stroll.
About this place
Malá Strana or historically Menší Město pražské is a district of the city of Prague, Czech Republic, and one of its most historic neighbourhoods.
Read more on Wikipedia ↗Photo: donald judge · CC BY 2.0
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Prague CastleMalá Strana → Prague Castle
Cobbled streets and stairs, uphill
Climb the old castle stairs to the gates, where the guard changes on the hour. Founded around the year 880, the complex spreads across nearly 70,000 square metres — by the Guinness record the largest ancient castle in the world — and remains the seat of the Czech president. Wander its courtyards and the Romanesque Basilica of St George. Around an hour.
About this place
Prague Castle is a castle complex in Prague, Czech Republic serving as the official residence and workplace of the president of the Czech Republic. Built in the 9th century, the castle has long served as the seat of power for kings of Bohemia, Holy Roman emperors, and presidents of Czechoslovakia. As such, the term "Prague Castle" or simply "Hrad" are often used as metonymy for the president and his staff and advisors. The Bohemian Crown Jewels are kept within a hidden room inside it.
Read more on Wikipedia ↗Photo: Tilman2007 · CC BY-SA 4.0
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St Vitus CathedralPrague Castle gate → St Vitus Cathedral
Courtyard paving
End inside the Gothic cathedral that dominates the castle skyline. Begun in 1344 under Charles IV and only finished in 1929, it holds the tombs of Bohemian kings, the jewel-lined Chapel of St Wenceslas, and the Bohemian crown jewels behind a seven-locked door. Its towers close the walk — and the view over the city closes the day.
About this place
The Metropolitan Cathedral of Saints Vitus, Wenceslaus and Adalbert is a Catholic metropolitan cathedral in Prague, and the seat of the Archbishop of Prague. Until 1997, the cathedral was dedicated only to Saint Vitus, and is still commonly named only as St. Vitus Cathedral.
Read more on Wikipedia ↗Photo: MathKnight and Zachi Evenor · CC BY 2.5