Why You Should Visit the Largest Ancient Castle in the World in Prague

The castle has always been the seat of Czech monarchs as well as the official residence of the head of state. Looming above the Vltava's left bank, its serried ranks of spires, towers, and palaces dominate the city center like a fairy-tale fortress. Its history begins in the 9th century when Prince Bořivoj founded a fortified settlement here. It grew haphazardly as rulers made their own additions. Download the Prague Castle Travel Guide and Offline Map and make your way there now.

1. The Crown Jewels

Stowed away in a chamber of St. Vitus Cathedral, the Bohemian Crown Jewels include the St. Wenceslas crown, royal scepter, and coronation cloak. And the Republic isn't taking any chances with their safekeeping. Both the chamber door and iron safe inside have seven locks, the keys to which are held by seven people, including the President, Prime Minister, and Prague Archbishop. The President typically puts them on display every five years. When he does, all seven key holders must head over to the Castle for the unlocking process.

2. Its History

A crucial Holocaust organizer, Reinhard Heydrich held court at Prague Castle starting in 1941. Terrified Czechs nicknamed him The Butcher of Prague. But a group of exiled Czech government officials decided to take action. Two Czech soldiers parachuted back into the country and headed for Prague, where they hopped on bicycles and rode toward the Castle. When they spotted The Butcher in his Mercedez convertible, they made their move, shooting and tossing grenades his way.

3. The Largest Castle in the World

The Prague Castle complex is enormous, with an area totaling of 753,474 square feet. That makes it the largest ancient castle in the world, according to the Guinness Book of World Records. The complex extends down to the Lesser Quarter or Mala Strana, where several chateaux and palaces are found. Wallenstein Palace, for one, is home to the Czech Senate and includes 26 houses and six gardens.

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Top 4 Reasons to Visit Prague, the City of a Hundred Spires

Prague, the capital city of the Czech Republic, is one of the most famous tourist destinations in the world. Below are the top 4 reasons why you need to visit Prague at least once in your life. Diverse Architecture

The entire city is an architectural marvel. It is a jaw-dropping panorama wherein no matter which way you look, you will find something that amazes you. Just a few examples of its amazing structures are:

• The Rotunda of St. Martin
• The Cathedral of Our Lady before Týn
• The Wallenstein Palace
• The Municipal House
• Frank Gehry’s Dancing Building
• Dejvice National Technical Library
• Romanesque chapels and cellars
• Gothic cathedrals
• Baroque palaces and gardens
• Worldly Art Nouveau buildings
• Unique Cubist houses

Visit Prague. Visit tha amazing gothic cathedrals

Diverse Music

You can listen to live performances of almost every genre of music in Prague. The city is like a magical place where music of all places and all generations meet together. The United Islands summer festival where multi-genre music fill each island with multi-genre music is a must see. Even if you can’t make it to the festival, there are still other music havens to visit such as:

• The Rudolfinum, the Municipal House, or one of the local churches for classical music;
• The Roxy, Akropolis, Cross Club, or MeetFactory for dance music;
• The Karlovy Lazně, a four-story club where each floor is dedicated to a different musical genre.

Diverse Booze

If you love beer, you will have a blast when you visit Prague. It has numerous beer bars and pubs that serve different kinds of beer. The most popular saloon is the Zlý časy in the Nusle district, considered by many to have the best bear collection in the city. If you want good Czech cuisine to come with your beer, you can visit the Lokál chain of restaurants.

The Picturesque Vltava River

The Vltava is regarded by many as one of the most majestic rivers in the world and it blends seamlessly with the Prague islands. The river is also known as the Soul of Prague. There are over 30 bridges and footbridges in the city, each one giving a unique view of the river. Its waters are often busy with steamers, rowboats and pedal boats.

Prague bridges crossing Vltava River. Don't miss!

For more tips about visiting Prague or other famous destinations, visit eTips to ensure you make the most out of your adventure and lastly Prague Travel Guide and Offline City Map & Metro!