Prague Castle, Castle complex in Hradčany, Prague, Czech Republic
This castle complex in Hradčany is a sprawling compound of palaces, churches, and towers spread across elevated grounds. The structures include residential towers, administrative buildings, and religious sites linked by courtyards and gardens.
Bohemian princes founded the complex in the 9th century as a fortified seat that later housed kings and emperors. After 1918 the grounds became the official residence of Czechoslovak and then Czech presidents.
The name Prague originally referred to the rocky spur with the princely stronghold before it came to denote the surrounding settlement; the western forecourt took the name Hradčany from the castle in the first half of the 14th century. The Bohemian Crown Jewels are kept in a hidden room inside the complex, and the Summer Shakespeare Festival regularly takes place in the courtyard of Burgrave Palace.
Courtyards and gardens open to the public daily, while interior spaces have limited hours and require entry tickets. Paths within the grounds are mostly paved, though some areas involve climbing stairs.
Golden Lane along the eastern edge consists of small colorful houses once inhabited by guards and craftsmen. This narrow street shows how people lived and worked inside the fortified walls.
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