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- Destinations
- Europe
- Czech Republic
- Prague
- The Castle District (Hradèany)
The Castle District (Hradèany)
The Castle District stretches across the top of the hill
overlooking the city and incorporates the best churches and museums
in Prague set around three courtyards, immaculate gardens,
fortifications and state apartments. The dominant feature is St
Vitus Cathedral occupying most of the third courtyard. The Castle
was founded in the 9th century and is still the official residence
of the president. The Old Royal Palace was home to the Kings of
Bohemia from the 11th to the 17th centuries. The Royal Apartments
and Vladislav Hall, where Bohemian knights once jousted, kings were
throned and presidents are sworn into office, can be visited, as
well as the little chapel next door. Next to the red façade of the
Romanesque Basilica of St George, lies the Benedictine Convent,
housing the National Gallery's remarkable collection of old
Bohemian art. Behind the gallery is the picturesque cobbled alley
known as Golden Lane, a row of 16th-century tradesmen's cottages,
brightly coloured and built into the fortifications. Visitors can
watch the Changing of the Guard on the hour every hour, with the
fanfare and flag ceremony included at noon.
Information & Facts
Admission
Full ticket: 350 Kc (adults), 175 Kc (concessions);
includes the Old Royal Palace, the permanent exhibition, the
Basilica of St George, Convent of St George - National Gallery and
the Golden Lane/Daliborka Tower. Individual tickets also
available
Language
Czech is the official language but English and German are
also widely spoken.
Money
The official currency is the Czech crown, locally known as the
Koruna (CZK), which is divided into 100 haler. Most credit cards
including American Express, Diners Club, Visa and MasterCard are
accepted, but it is best to have cash handy when travelling away
from Prague and the main tourist centres. Travellers cheques and
foreign currency can be exchanged at banks, bureaux de change and
some hotels; commission is highest in hotels. Banks are closed on
weekends. ATMs (known as 'bankomats') are becoming more common in
Prague and are probably the best way to obtain local currency at a
good rate and without commission. The Czech Republic is still cheap
compared to the rest of Europe, though the gap is closing.
Opening Times
Interiors, daily 9am to 6pm (4pm in winter). Castle
grounds, daily 5am to midnight (April to October) and 6am to 11pm
(November to March). Gardens closed in winter. The changing of the
guards ceremony takes place every hour, but the flag ceremony is
only at 12pm
Time
GMT +1 (GMT +2 from the last Sunday in March to the last
Sunday in October).