Prague Castle Monuments and Historic Treasures
Gain an initiation into the capital of the former Czech kingdom by choosing either of the below-mentioned tour programmes.
The Strahov Library: One of the world's most beautiful historic libraries. Here, you can explore two halls, one dedicated to theology and one to philosophy. Both halls contain richly adorned Baroque libraries, astonishing frescoes, and impressive stucco ceilings. The oldest book deposited here dates from the ninth century, a time when the Czech state did not yet exist.
The Loreto Shrine: A pilgrimage site dedicated to the Virgin Mary, this Baroque landmark centres around a small copy of the house where the Virgin Mary was born. Every hour, the graceful melody of the Loreto chimes delights visitors. A Baroque arcade, chapels, a small church dedicated to the Nativity of the Lord, and a Treasury are also part of this sightseeing programme. The treasury houses a legendary monstrance called "The Prague Sun" - a dazzling masterpiece decorated with six thousand diamonds.
Also visit the Prague Castle monuments, which include the following:
Saint Vitus Cathedral: The main shrine of the country. Inside, it shelters the most sacred place in the Czech lands - the Saint Wenceslas Chapel, a jewel of Gothic architecture. Inside the cathedral, you can also see the Baroque tomb of Saint John of Nepomuk, made of more than three tons of silver, as well as an Art Nouveau window created by Alfonse Mucha.
The Royal Palace: This palace will catch your eye not only because of its graceful Late Gothic architecture and star vault, but also because of its Renaissance halls. One of them is the former Diet, another the Land Rolls Hall, and finally the Bohemian Chancellery Hall, famous for the act of defenestration.
Saint George's Basilica: This Romanesque basilica from the 10th century is the embodiment of the Middle Ages and one of the oldest churches in the Czech lands. Saint Ludmila, the grandmother of Saint Wenceslas and the most honoured patron of the Czech lands, is buried here.
The Golden Lane: One of the most picturesque places in Prague, where parts of the medieval fortifications have also been preserved. The area inspired one of the most famous writers - Franz Kafka rented one of the houses for his sister and used to write there at night.
