Vyšehrad National Cultural Monument

Located in Prague 2 south of the Malá Strana (Old Town), Vyšehrad is a medieval complex of ruined castle, Gothic church and cemetery sitting on a promontory looming over the Vltava River. With its origins in the 10th century as a church and fortified trading post, by 1085 a castle had been built on the spot by the first king of Bohemia, and for a while the Royal Court was based there before the center of power transferred to Prague Castle in Hradčany. Although only fragments remain of the castle, including the underground casemates – now home to a display of original statuary removed from Charles Bridge – the twin spires of the castle’s Church of St Peter and St Paul loom large over the river; dating from the 11th century, it received a major Neo-Gothic facelift in 1895 and has an impressive, lofty interior. Some of Prague’s most prominent citizens are buried in the ornate neighboring cemetery, including composers Bedřich Smetana and Antonín Dvořák, the patriotic author and poet Jan Neruda and Art Nouveau maestro Alphonse Mucha. Today Vyšehrad offers spectacular views over the city of Prague tothe north and is surrounded by peaceful gardens, a Romanesque rotunda, riverside walks and open-air cafés.

Practical Info

V Pevnosti 159/5b, Vyšehrad, Prague 2. Church of St Peter and St Paul: open Apr–Oct daily 10am–6pm; Nov–Mar daily 10am–4pm. Admission 30 CZK. Metro Line C to Vyšehrad or tram nos 7, 8 or 22 to Albertov.