Castle
Prague Castle
🇨🇿 Czech Republic · 9th century
Prague Castle (Czech: Pražský hrad; [ˈpraʃskiː ˈɦrat]) is a castle complex in Prague, Czech Republic serving as the official residence and workplace of the president of the Czech Republic. Built in the 9th century, the castle has long served as the seat of power for kings of Bohemia, Holy Roman emperors, and presidents of Czechoslovakia. As such, the term "Prague Castle" or simply "Hrad" ("the Castle") are often used as metonymy for the president and his staff and advisors. The Bohemian Crown Jewels are kept within a hidden room inside it.
According to the Guinness Book of Records, Prague Castle is the largest ancient castle in the world, occupying an area of almost 70,000 square metres (750,000 square feet), at about 570 metres (1,870 feet) in length and an average of about 130 metres (430 feet) wide. The castle is the most visited tourist attraction in the Czech Republic. In 2024, the castle attracted 2.59 million visitors.
Text adapted from “Prague Castle” on Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0.
Prague Castle ranks #20 of 7,738 worldwide in the atlas's castle fame ranking, and #1 of the 200 mapped in Czech Republic. Founded 900, it is older than 94% of the atlas's dated landmarks — one of 61 atlas entries founded in the 9th century. Its Wikipedia articles were opened 58,357 times in the last 60 days, more than 99% of the atlas. Wikidata records about 2,550,000 visitors in 2024. 19 more atlas landmarks stand within 25 km. The nearest day-trip guide is Prague, 2 km away. It is one of the 156 landmarks on the atlas's regional map of Bohemia. See how Czech Republic compares in the castle statistics.
View on the interactive castle map →Frequently asked questions
Where is Prague Castle?
Prague Castle stands in the Czech Republic, at 50.09°, 14.4°.
When was Prague Castle built?
The atlas dates its founding to 900. Earlier structures may have stood on the site; this is the earliest documented founding year.
How famous is Prague Castle?
In this atlas's fame ranking: #20 of 7,738 worldwide, and #1 in the Czech Republic. Fame here combines how many Wikipedia language editions cover a landmark with how many people read them.
What is the nearest castle to Prague Castle?
Old Royal Palace (Prague), about 1 km away.
More castles in the Czech Republic
- Karlštejn Castle Czech Republic · 14th century
- Terezín Czech Republic · 18th century
- Vyšehrad Czech Republic · 10th century
- Kroměříž Castle Czech Republic · 15th century
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