The Vyšehrad Castle in Prague

One of Prague’s remarkable and beautiful buildings, the Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul at Vysehrad Castle, Prague.

Overlooking the Vltava River on a hill is Vyšehrad, an ancient castle in Prague built in the 10th century also known as “castle on the heights”.

Map of Vysehrad castle grounds posted at the information board (click for larger image, refer to Map Legend at the end of this post)

We started our tour at the Brick (Prague) Gate and hiked our way to the Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul.

Entrance to the Vysehrad Castle via the Brick (Prague) Gate which can be accessed from Vratislavova street.

The Brick (Prague) Gate as seen from inside the castle grounds

Hidden within the Vysehrad castle fortress are vaulted chambers also known as casemates which can be accessed via the Brick Gate. The largest area in the Vysehrad casemates is the Gorlice – Subterranean Hall, which used to be a storage room for food and weapons. Presently, it is where the original statues of St. Augustine, St. Nicholas, St. Bernard and others from the Charles Bridge are kept.


View of the Gorlice – Subterranean Hall from the outside

This is the remains of the Portal of the Baroque Armoury upon entering the Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul.

Just adjacent to the Basilica is the Vysehrad Cemetery where famous Czech artists, authors, composers, scientists and important citizens are buried.

The Vysehrad Cemetery beside the Basilica

The “Slavin” or Pantheon by Antonín Wiehl as the cemetery’s main attraction

Other interesting spots within the castle grounds are the Tabor Gate, the Špicka Gate, St. Martin’s Rotunda, the Prof. Krejci memorial plaque and more.

The Medallion to geologist Prof. Jan Krejcí as part of the castle walls

St. Martin’s Rotunda, a simple Romanesque building

We were not able to tour the other sights inside the castle as it was time to go. If you’re planning to visit Vysehrad, it’s best to allot at least a day for exploring around as there are many interesting and historical landmarks in this ancient castle. You may have a guided tour along the casemates’ chambers, or view the exhibits at the Vysehrad Gallery or stop at some of the monuments around the area.

Vysehrad is a peaceful haven where one can commune with nature as he hikes around the castle grounds, while enjoying a beautiful view of the Vltava River or gazing down over Prague’s picturesque cityscape.

Refer to the Map Legend below for more idea of the other attractions in the castle grounds.

Map Legend:
1. THE TABOR GATE
2. THE REMAINS OF THE GOTHIC “SPICKA” (PEAK) GATE (Information centre)
3. THE JEDLICKA INSTITUTE
4. THE HOUSE OF POPELKA BILIANOVA
5. VYSEHRAD MONUMENT – ADMINISTRATION
6. THE LEOPOLD GATE
7. ST. MARTIN’S ROTUNDA
8. PLAGUE PILLAR
9. CHURCH OF DECOLLATION OF ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST
10. CHAPEL OF OUR LADY OF THE RAMPARTS
11. THE NEW DEANERY
12. THE DEVIL’S PILLAR
13. ST. JOHANUS NEPOMUCENUS
14. MONUMENT TO PROVOST M. KARLACH – by P. Malovany
15. ST. ADALBERT (SV. VOJTECH)
16. THE OLD DEANERY
17. REMAINS OF ROMANESQUE BASILICA OF ST. LAWRENCE (SV. VAVRINEC)
18. THE OLD BURGRAVATE – chamber hall and Cafe Citadela
19a. GOTHIC CELLAR – permanent exhibition on The Historic Faces of Vysehrad
19b. GOTHIC CELLAR – barrier – free entry
20. REMAINS OF THE GOTHIC PALACE
21. VYSEHRAD ART GALLERY – originally a Medieval watchtower
22. THE BATH OF LIBUSE – remains of Medieval watchtower
23. MEDIEVAL WALL
24. STATUARY – J.V.MYSLBEK
25. REMAINS OF THE WALLS OF THE ROMANESQUE STONE BRIDGE
26. REMAINS OF THE PORTAL OF THE BAROQUE ARMORY
27. CHURCH OF SS. PETER & PAUL
28. VYSEHRAD CEMETERY
29. SLAVIN, THE PANTHEON
30. ST. LUDMILA – by J.M.Brokoff
31. SV. SEBASTIAN
32. MEDALLION TO GEOLOGIST PROF. KREJCI
33. THE OLD PROVOST’S RESIDENCE
34. THE NEW PROVOST’S RESIDENCE
35. MONUMENT TO PROVOST V.STULC – by S. Zalesak
36. ST. WENCESLAS – by J.J.Bendl
37. SUMMER THEATRE – round bastion
38. THE BRICK (PRAGUE) GATE
39. GORLICE – SUBTERRANEAN HALL
40. THE “OLD CZECH LEGEND” PLAYGROUND
41. PLAYGROUND “U GORLICE”

Next post: The Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul at Vysehrad Castle

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