The Prague Castle (Prazsky hrad) is the symbol of the Czech State ever since its
foundation in the last quarter of the 9th century. It used to be
the residence of princes and kings of Bohemia and since 1918 it
is the seat of presidents of the Czech Republic.
The most dominant building overlooking the roofs of the Castle is St. Vitus Cathedral (by the whole name St. Vitus, St. Wenceslas
and St. Adalbert Cathedral), founded in 1344 by the King John of
Luxembourg and his sons Charles and John Henry in place of the romanesque
rotunda of St. Vitus. (The construction was finally completed in
1929.) In the basement of the Cathedral is situated the crypt with
tombs of Bohemian kings. The most beautiful part of the Cathedral
is St. Wenceslas Chapel, built in place of the grave of St.
Wenceslas (Vaclav), the prince of the Premyslid House, murdered
by his power-hungry brother Boleslav. The coronation jewels are
deposited here too.
However, the oldest preserved church building of the Castle is romanesqueSt.
George Basilica, founded in 920 and rebuilted in 12th century.
The facade gained its present baroque appearance in the 17th century,
but the most of the interior was preserved in its original romanesque
style. The basilica adjoins St. George Convent, the oldest
monastery in the Czech Lands, founded in 973 by the Prince Boleslav
II. and his sister Mlada (the first abbess of this convent) for
benedictine nuns.
The romanesque Royal Palace was built by the Prince Sobeslav
(cca 1135). It was preserved in the basement of the gothic palace,
reconstructed by the Kings Premysl Otakar II., Charles IV. and Vladislav
Jagello. After the last one is called the largest profane hall in
the mediavel Prague with a remarkable rounded rib vault - Vladislav
hall.
The 16th century brought the Castle its gardens and Queen Anna's
Summerhouse (1538), which is said to be the most beautiful renaissance
building north to the Alps. In the garden before the Summerhouse
there is a famous Singing Fountain, made of bell bronze and chimed
by beads of falling water.
The Emperor Rudolph II. had the northern wing of the Castle with
the magnificient Spanish Hall and Rudolph Gallery constructed. In
his days, the Golden Alley was built too. According the legend
alchymists dwelt here, in fact, the tiny houses were homes of castle
riflemen and craftsmen. (Most of them serve as souvenir shops at
present.)
During the rule of Habsburg dynasty in Wien, Prague lost its political
and commercial importance and the Castle decayed. Empress Maria
Theresa had Rozmberk Palace converted into a Gentlewomen's Institute
and Emperor Joseph II. barbarously left the Summer Palace, St. George
convent and some other parts of the Castle to the military.
In 1918, the first Czechoslovak President T. G. Masaryk summoned
architect Plecnik, who carried out the last reconstruction of the
Castle including the completing St. Vitus Cathedral.
Nowadays, some parts of the Castle serve as museum and exhibition
halls. The Early Czech Arts (gothic to baroque paintings and
sculpture) are shown in St. George Convent. Prague Castle Gallery
houses the remains of so-called Rudolph's Collection (most of it
was lost during the Thirty Year War) and the works of later periods.
Lobkowicz Palace houses a part of the National Museum exhibition.
Mihulka Powder Tower is museum of mediavel arts and crafts, astrology
ans alchemy. Other parts of the Castle (Queen Anna's Summerhouse,
the Riding Hall, Ball Games Hall, etc.) serve as temporal exhibition
halls or music halls.
The Summer Shakespeare Festival (the showcase of theatre
productions) is performed under the open sky in the courtyard of
the Burgrave Palace at the Prague Castle (June-September). |
