Black Tower, Fortified tower at Prague Castle, Czech Republic
The Black Tower is a fortified stone tower in the eastern part of Prague Castle, built with thick walls and Romanesque details. It originally served as the eastern gate to the castle and today houses an archaeological collection related to the fortress.
The tower was built in 1135 as the eastern gate of the castle's fortifications. Before a fire in 1541 darkened its walls and gave it its current name, it was called the Golden Tower under Charles IV, whose roof was covered with gilded lead plates.
The walls still carry inscriptions left by debtors imprisoned here during the 16th century. These carvings offer a direct and personal trace of what daily life looked like for people held inside the tower.
The tower is reached through the walkways inside Prague Castle and can be visited as part of a general tour of the complex. It is worth checking in advance whether the tower itself is open on the day you plan to visit, as access to specific areas can vary.
For much of its history, this tower was known by a completely opposite name, the Golden Tower, because of its shining lead roof. A single fire in 1541 changed not only its appearance but also the name by which it has been remembered ever since.
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