Prague Castle & Hradcany

The largest ancient castle complex in the world according to Guinness, covering 70,000 square meters on a hill above the Vltava. Founded around 870, it has been the seat of Bohemian kings, Holy Roman Emperors, and Czech presidents for over 1,100 years. The complex includes St. Vitus Cathedral, the Old Royal Palace, St. George's Basilica, and Golden Lane. The First Defenestration of Prague (1419) and Second Defenestration (1618, which triggered the Thirty Years' War) both involved people being thrown from castle windows — a distinctly Czech form of political protest.

Enter from the Hradcany side (west) to avoid the steeper climb. The changing of the guard at the main gate happens on the hour; the full ceremony with fanfare is at noon.

A Gothic cathedral within Prague Castle whose construction spanned six centuries — begun in 1344 under Charles IV and not completed until 1929. The stained-glass windows include a stunning Art Nouveau creation by Alfons Mucha (1931). The tomb of St. Wenceslas (the 'Good King Wenceslas' of the Christmas carol, murdered by his brother in 935) is in a chapel decorated with 1,300 semi-precious stones. The Crown Jewels of Bohemia are locked behind a door requiring seven keys held by seven officials — they are displayed to the public only on rare occasions.

The Mucha stained glass window is in the third chapel on the left — its Art Nouveau style is strikingly different from the medieval glass around it. The south tower climb offers castle-complex views.