Old Royal Palace

Welcome to the Old Royal Palace, the historic heart of the Prague Castle complex and the seat of Bohemian power for nearly a millennium. As we stand at the threshold of this monumental structure, we are looking at a site that has…

We now stand in the breath-taking Vladislav Hall, named after King Vladislav Yah-gah-lohn, who commissioned this masterpiece at the end of the fifteenth century. As you look up, you are witnessing the pinnacle of late Gothic…

We are now entering a more intimate but no less significant area: the chambers of the Czech Royal Office. During the period when the Hahps-boorg dynasty ruled from Vienna, these rooms were the nerve center for the administration…

As we linger in these administrative chambers, it is worth reflecting on the grim reality of the war that began right here. The Thirty Years War was arguably the bloodiest conflict in human history until the First World War. …

Moving on, we enter the Diet Hall, a space that served as the parliamentary chamber for the Bohemian Estates. Before the dawn of absolute monarchy in 1620, the kingdom was governed by a system of Estates, which included the high…

Among the portraits in the Diet Hall, one figure stands out with particular significance: Mah-ree-ah Teh-reh-zah. She was the only woman to ever sit on the Czech throne, a feat made possible by her father, Charles the Sixth. …

As we continue through the palace, you will encounter a display case containing the replicas of the Bohemian Crown Jewels. It is important to note that these are high-quality copies; the originals are kept under extreme security…

Now, let us ascend to the second floor to visit the offices of the Land Register, or the Land Rolls. This area was the administrative backbone of the kingdom. …

To conclude our tour of the Old Royal Palace, we will exit via the remarkable Riders' Staircase. As you begin your descent, pay close attention to the unique design of the steps. …