Prague - Hradčany

History of Hradčany

Hradčany was founded as a serf town on the initiative of the highest burgrave Hynek Berka of Dubá sometime around 1320. At that time, Hradčany was formed by buildings around today's Hradčany Square, which stretched to U kasáren Street, and at that time there was a market place. From 1375, the town expanded to include Pohořelec, Újezd ​​and Nový Svět, and in 1420 Hradčany was destroyed by fire.

The buildings were restored during the 1840s, and mainly canon houses and aristocratic palaces were built. In 1598 Hradčany was promoted to a royal town and on June 1, 1784 Hradčany was annexed to Prague.

At present, Hradčany consists of a set of valuable historical and cultural monuments, the most important of which is Prague Castle. Hradčany is the seat of kings, emperors and since 1918 also presidents. It is one of the most visited places in the whole of Prague.

Monuments and interesting places

The dominant feature of Hradčany and, of course, of Prague itself is Prague Castle and the Cathedral of St. Vít, Vojtěch and Václav. The castle grounds also include Zlatá ulička, Daliborka tower, the monastery of St. George or Lobkovický Palace.

In the premises of the monastery of St. Jiří currently houses the collections of the National Gallery from the Czech Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque periods.

Also worth a visit is the Belvedere, Queen Anne's Royal Summer Palace, the Royal Garden, the Archbishop's Palace, Sternberg Palace, which now houses old European art from the collections of the National Gallery, or Loreta or Schwarzenberg Palace.

In the Hradčany area we can also find the Strahov Monastery, the Černín Palace or Pohořelec, one of the oldest parts of the whole Hradčany.

Author: Andrea Štyndlová