Vyšehrad in Prague. Fortress of Vyšehrad

The capital of the Czech Republic is ready to present tourists with a lot of attractions. This article is devoted only to one of them - the castle complex Vyšehrad in Prague. An inexperienced traveler might think that this is just a fortress in the defensive walls of the city. But in fact, Vyšehrad is the ancient heart of Prague. According to legend, it was founded by Prince Krok in the 10th century. And what do historians say about this? On the other bank of the Vltava River stands the Prague Castle. Slavs often practiced such a system of double fortifications. Suffice it to recall the Kiev Vyshgorod or Novgorod's Rurikovo Gorodische and Detinets. Two Kremlin as if support each other and do not allow a potential enemy to occupy a strategic height. Thus, Vyšehrad is one of the first settlements on the Vltava, the core from which Prague was later formed. So this castle complex is included in the list of must see the Czech capital.

Vyšehrad in Prague: how to arrive

This castle has long since become part of the city. Therefore, you can get to it on local transport, including the metro. If you decide to use the subway, then you need to go to Vysehrad station. Go to the castle and several tram routes. Choose any: 6th or 7th, 18th or 24th, 53rd and 55th. You need to leave at the stop Ostrcilovo namesti. Vyšehrad in Prague on the city map is located to the south of the center. If you have examined the Charles Bridge and the attractions nearby, and the time is not yet later, take the tram No. 3 (at the stop "Vodichkov Street") and follow the direction "Nadrazi Branik" to the stop "Vyton". The road will take only eight minutes. Then you need to go under the railway bridge and follow straight ahead to the sign "Vysehrad". Attention: the castle is located on a hill, so you have to overcome many steps.

History of Vyšehrad

As mentioned, two fortifications along the banks of the Vltava River appeared in the tenth century. From Vyšehrad, the half-legendary Princess Libuša, daughter of Krok, predicted world fame and the flowering of Prague. In the XI century, this fortress was in its heyday. Vratislav II Przemysłowicz in 1070 founded here a chapter that reports directly to the Pope. In this case, the Czech prince was laid Romanesque basilica of saints Peter and Paul and the chapel of St. Martina. Gradually the settlement became a Kremlin, the royal castle of Vysehrad. The mint worked here. Then came the Prague Castle. Once his ally came to desolation. But in the XIV century fortune smiled again at Vysehrad. Charles IV, a descendant of the genus of the Přemyslites, built new fortifications in 1348, and erected a beautiful and majestic Gothic temple on the site of the Romanesque basilica. He also connected the New Castle with this castle with Prague Castle. In the cathedral of Peter and Paul were stored relics of the Czech royal family - shoes made of bast and sushi by the founder of the Přemysl Pahar dynasty. And every new ruler before his inauguration had to bow to these symbols of the proximity of their ancestor to the common people.

Oblivion

But after the death of Charles the Fourth, Prague Castle again took revenge. Kings, and with them the entire courtyard, moved to the other side of the Vltava. Once the brilliant palace gradually turned into a military fortress. Vyšehrad was seriously affected during the Hussite wars (around 1420). In the XVII century, the fortress was rebuilt according to the canons of military fashion of the time. Vysehrad got powerful walls of brick and baroque towers. There was an arsenal and powder stores. But in 1866 the fortress was closed. On this hill it was decided to open the National Cemetery, where the outstanding Czech writers, composers and scientists found the last rest. And in 1893 the Slavic pantheon was also erected. In its walls lie more than fifty celebrities.

Prague, Vyšehrad: attractions

About this place, tourists leave a lot of enthusiastic reviews. But they are all emotional and uninformative. Everyone agrees that it is with Visegrád that panoramic photographs of Prague should be taken. Say, on the way to the castle you will meet several viewing platforms, decorated with antique lanterns and balusters. But what else is Vysehrad famous for in Prague? What to look in it? Let's sort it out in order.

Climbing the hill, pay attention to the sculpture depicting St. Sebastian. The path leads you to the gate in the fortress wall. Entrance fee: 30 CZK for an adult. Students will receive a 50% discount, and children under 15 can go free. It's good to come here on the night of Ivan Kupala. They say that only then can you find the entrance to the treasury, hidden in the depths of the hill. But only the righteous can see the treasure.

The Invisible Church

You will look straight at her, and still not see. But in the fourteenth century, when on the outskirts of the castle with the name of Vyšehrad in Prague architects erected the Church of the Beheading of the head of John the Baptist, they did not think to hide anything. All the blame lies with late military architects. They decided that the church is the "Achilles' heel" in the defensive fortifications. Military strategists tried to hide it in powerful walls with loopholes. They altered the facade, removed the nave and the roof. In this truly unique sacred building there was only one church interior. You can enter the temple only from the side of the fortress.

Legends of Vyšehrad

What kind of stories do they say about this castle? You will be shown a watchtower, called "Banya Liboushi". Say, the cruel princess washed in the presence of men, and then dumped the unfortunate from the cliff. And in the dean's park you will see a stone pillar split into three parts. The legend says that earlier it was a fragment of St. Peter's Cathedral in Rome. The devil Zardan made a bet with a local priest (on the soul of the latter) that he could bring a pillar from the Vatican before the priest served the Mass. Either the cleric was saying the prayers with a patter, or something was interfering with the devil, but he was late. In a rage, he threw a pillar against the roof of the cathedral and smashed it. And in the park these three pieces were transferred already in the 18th century. And one more legend: Vyšehrad in Prague keeps the relics of Saint Valentine, the same one who patronizes all lovers.

The Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul

The Romanesque church, erected here in 1080, unfortunately, did not survive. At a time when Vysehrad in Prague began to play a dominant role, it was rebuilt according to the then fashionable Gothic style. Then, when the Hussite wars ravaged the castle, the cathedral deteriorated. Restore it was decided in 1887, in the style of neo-Gothic. It is in this temple with two high towers in a stone sarcophagus that St. Valentine's relics are kept. Scientists who examined the bones came to the conclusion that they belong not to an ancient Roman warrior, but to a medieval representative of the genus Přemysl. And around the cathedral is broken the cemetery of Czech celebrities. Here lies the ashes of Capek, Smetana, Dvorak and others. You should also visit the Slavin pantheon, the ancient Romanesque rotunda of St. Martin and the baroque chapel of the Virgin Mary.

Museums and park

In the medieval fortress of Vysehrad reviews are advised to visit Goticky sklep (Gothic cellar). Entry to it costs an additional thirty crowns. This museum tells about the history of Vysehrad. In casemates under the fortress of independent tourists are not allowed, but every hour on the stone mazes are sent to wander organized tours. Lovers of the avant-garde can look in the Gallery of Modern Art. And relax from walking around museums and calmly digest information best in the park of Vysehrad. It is equipped with stools, small fountains, statues. In the depths of the park you should pay attention to the ruins of the chapel of St. Lawrence, destroyed by the Hussites.