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The Czech Republic has more than 2000 castle sites, which makes it a castle lover's dream. Prague Castle is located at the heart of Europe and served as a major crossroad for trade. Also, it remains a center of cultural influence. Covering 18 - acres and lying at the heart of the city, the buildings within the grounds are home to some of the Czech Republic's most precious works of art.
Prague Castle was built on the site of an old Slavic settlement on a hill overlooking the Vltava River around the year 880 AD. A wooden fortress originally marked the site. Over the years, the fortress grew larger and larger with the wooden buildings replaced by stone structures. By 1135, most of the buildings were made of stone, and the Czech Kings had made the castle their home.
Over the centuries, Prague Castle continued to grow. Important additions included a huge Gothic cathedral of Saint Vitus, palaces, courtyards, shooting range, gardens, museums, and the present-day government offices of the Czech Republic. Elsewhere around the castle are the "Golden Lane," a series of small, colorful shops that originally served as housing for the palace guards; a great hall that looks like it hasn't changed in 500 years; and a Czech art museum. There is also an intriguing toy museum, which really has nothing to do with the castle, but contains some very interesting old and new toys.
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Today, construction and alterations continue to be made at Prague Castle. The castle serves as the official residence of the President of the Czech Republic and the city's number one tourist attraction. Many exhibitions, concerts, and theatre performances are also held at the large, beautiful castle.
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