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The Vyšehrad Castle in Prague

Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul at Vysehrad Castle, 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”.

vysehrad map small
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.

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

The Brick (Prague) Gate, inner wall, Vysehrad, Prague
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.

The Gorlice - Subterranean Hall, Vysehrad, Prague
View of the Gorlice – Subterranean Hall from the outside

Remains of the Portal of the Baroque Armoury, Vysehrad, Prague
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.

Vysehrad Cemetery, Vysehrad, Prague
The Vysehrad Cemetery beside the Basilica

The Slavin or Pantheon at the Vysehrad Cemetery, Vysehrad, Prague
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.

Medallion to geologist Prof. Jan Krejci, Vysehrad, Prague
The Medallion to geologist Prof. Jan Krejcí as part of the castle walls

St. Martin's Rotunda, Vysehrad, Prague
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.

Going down from the Vysehrad castle grounds, Vysehrad, Prague

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.

Trees at Vysehrad castle grounds, Prague

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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Due to SPAM, I have disabled further comments on this post. If you have something important to tell me, just send an email to happysteps1107 at yahoo dot com. Thanks and wishing you more happy travels ahead! 🙂

14 Comments

  1. maggie

    hello carey, please check out my blog, i’ve written something that you may like (definitely!). thanks.

  2. Leen

    woww very beautiful place. U took a nice shoot so everyone who saw it will agree it nice place to visit

  3. Ronald

    Yes I agree to Leen, It’s beautiful! Nice photos definitely stunning. Hope to visit this places some other time.

  4. maggie

    hello carey, did you receive the ec credits that i sent you?

    and i agree with them, great shots, wish i can visit one of those places someday.

  5. happysteps

    Leen and Ronald:

    Thanks! Vysehrad is really a great tourist destination in Prague. I will be posting more about the Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul on my next entry.

    Maggie:

    Thanks for the ec credits! Yes, I received them already. 🙂 Who knows, you could visit Prague someday.

  6. fortuitous faery

    wow…prague! one of my dream destinations in europe. 🙂

  7. The Fitness Diva

    Very nice pics. That castle looks mysterious… I can only imagine what it must have been like to live in one. I’m sure it was cold, for one thing! 😉
    It’s always great when they are able to preserve and save historical structures and landmarks like that.

  8. mom

    This is one place I missed to visit in Prague 🙁 Hmmm who knows I’ll be back, then I should not anymore leave out beautiful and historic Vysehrad! 🙂 We were supposed to be there, but we were just oh so short of time!

    Wow, congratulations for your new theme! 🙂

  9. happysteps

    fortuitous faery:

    Prague is really one of Europe’s best. It’s just too crowded with tourists though esp. at the Old Town Square during summer.

  10. happysteps

    The Fitness Diva:

    The neo-gothic style of the cathedral creates that mysterious look. Living in a castle? Hmmmm… it would be too intimidating for me. 🙂

    The Czech government is very careful about preserving their historical buildings esp. at the Prague center, it’s a law that the character and design of the old buildings cannot be altered.

  11. happysteps

    Mom:

    yeah, too bad you missed Vysehrad. next time then! 😉

    thanks for appreciating my new theme!

  12. Abas

    Hi, & good day to you, Carey.

    How are you? I hope all is well with you. By the way, I just posted a new batch of articles & slide shows on my blog at http://voyage.aimvotal.com/

    I hope that you may want to take a look at them & have a pleasurable read & viewing. Please do leave a comment or two to help me improve my blog. Thanks in advance. Keep in touch.

    Abasster

  13. happysteps

    Abas: Hello! I’m doing fine. I will be dropping by your blog soon. Sure thing about the comment and thanks for the visit as well. 🙂

  14. Ladybru

    wala ako masabi te!!! as in wow! ganda…

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