Hrobka českých králů, Royal tomb in Prague Castle, Czech Republic
The Royal Tomb is a single barrel-vaulted chamber measuring 9.29 by 5.2 metres beneath St. Vitus Cathedral, reached by stairs from the Chapel of the Holy Cross. Its walls and vault carry an unornamented yellow-grey-green mosaic, and the marble floor slabs trace the outlines of the ten sarcophagi and tombs, including Charles IV's bronze sarcophagus in the raised centre.
Built on the orders of Emperor Rudolf II, the single-chamber tomb with a barrel vault measures 9.29 by 5.2 metres. In 1590 all coffins from the old crypt under the presbytery were moved here, and Rudolf II himself was buried here in 1612. Architect Kamil Roškot remodelled it in 1928–1935, and Archbishop Karel Kašpar consecrated it on 2 November 1935.
The name refers to the kings buried here, from Charles IV, placed in the centre, to Rudolf II, whose burial in 1612 was the last of a Czech king in Czech soil. The tomb was consecrated on 2 November 1935 by Archbishop Karel Kašpar.
Access is through a separate entrance built by architect Kamil Hilbert from the Chapel of the Holy Cross within the cathedral complex. Visitors should expect tight spaces and dim lighting that preserves the historical setting.
Rudolf II's original tin coffin, decorated with coats of arms, holds the last Czech king buried in Czech soil. The three Habsburgs share one sarcophagus: Rudolf of Habsburg, called "King Porridge", Duke Rudolf II of Swabia, and Eleonora, sister of Emperor Rudolf II.
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