A History That Speaks For Itself: The Prague Castle
By: Edward Grey
Submitted: 2008-11-04 18:21:13 | Word Count: 530
Castles, kings, queens, prince, and princesses – these are some marvels that continuous to play significant elemental roles that inspire stories of gallantry, valor, love, and romance. Undeniably, one of the most inspiring adventures that one could have is a visit to a place where the stories started – a trip to an actual castle. If you are planning to explore the real story behind the prevalent tales of knights, then you ought to put the Prague Castle on top of your list.
The Prague Castle is included in the list of the largest medieval castle complex that exists in Europe. It has been the ancient seat of Czech kings from generation to generation, throughout many ages. As of now, it not only stands as a witness to the history of the royalties and the constituents of the Czech Republic. Instead, it serves as one of the premier tourist destinations in Prague.
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Without a doubt, what makes the Prague Castle a prime spot for architectural observations is its set of diverse elements that reflects the various points not only in the history of Czech but the various eras of architectural development as well. Throughout its years of existence, the building was subjected to several subsequent renovations after it has endured several damages brought about by very destructive wars and fires that haunted the entirety of the republic. In addition to the renovations made after the inevitable destructions to the structure, the various political forces that wanted to make an architectural contribution to the area also contributed a lot to the formation of a very intriguing mix of fortifications and structures to the place.
The first known structure that was built on the site of Prague Castle Complex was constructed in the ninth century. During the twelfth century, the original structure was replaced by a Romanesque palace. Two hundred years after, the palace was then rebuilt in the Gothic style during the time of Charles IV. It was also reconstructed by King Vladislav Jagiello in order to introduce a Neo Gothic style to the place. When the castle was again reconstructed during the 1920’s, an archeological site was then revealed. Unbelievably, despite World Wars and other disasters, the premises of the castle eventually survived and withstood the challenges to its architectural legend.
The Prague Castle complex consists of a cathedral, museums, art galleries, palaces, a basilica, and a monastery. The most prominent of which is the Saint Vitus Cathedral which is also the most identifiable landmark in the entire city. Also included in the list of notable sights in the area are the Golden Lane, the Lobkowicz Palace, and St. George’s Basilica. The basilica serves as a very popular Czech venue for those classical concerts that are usually held during early evenings.
These days, the Prague Castle complex serves as the seat of the President of the Czech Republic. It is considered as the center for both historical evolution and political power for the city and state. For tourists and locals alike, the changing of the guard at the front gates, which takes place every hour, still brings a surprising delight. During noon, the ceremony becomes more remarkable as it includes fanfare.
