Fortress and Vyshisend District in Prague
Vysehrad – the historic region of Prague and the old fortress, towering on a hill above the Vltava River, one of the first centers of the Czech state. The name with Czech is translated as "Upper Castle".
In the center of the above, the Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul, made in neo-style style. Its towers with a height of 58 meters can be seen from anywhere in the surroundings. The inner decoration of the Basilica will shook tourists by abundance of frescoes and mosaics, a harmonious combination of decor elements in different styles.
In Visegrad, there is one of the most ancient buildings of Prague – Rotunda of St. Martin.
Interesting Pantheon, where many famous Czechs, for example, Antonin Dvorak, Alphonse Fly, Bedřich Smetana, Karel Chapek. The first two occupied the honorable places in our list of the most famous Chekhov.
And also the "invisible" church, stone sculptures shrouded with vague antiquity of beautiful legends, gardens and rocky cliffs. Often, Vysehrad does not fall into excursion programs, but tourists who visited here will not forget its structures, nor legends with them related.
Path into the legendary past Prague (how to get there)
The easiest way to get here to the metro Prague, go out at Vysehrad stations with (red). Go along a large building of the congress center, 500 meters leave to the Toborsk gate. For the Prague Metro scheme, see our page "Metro Prague – a scheme in Russian". To Tobor Gate can be reached by buses 904, 905, 910.
Go to Vyšehrada and through the second – brick gates. You can come here on the trams 2, 3, 17, 18, 27, 92, 95 or buses x7, x18, x93.
You can go by taxi, read prices in our article "Taxi in the Czech Republic – prices and rules". Tell the driver of the phrase "Vyšehrad", he will definitely understand where to go. Explain to what exactly the goal you need to get, it is already more difficult. Czech, brick gates – "Cyhelna Brana", Toborsk gates – "Tiborsk Brana".
Prices for tickets and excursions
Participation in an organized excursion to Vyšehrad as part of a group with a Russian-speaking guide costs from 15 to 30 euros, the price depends on the set of places that look in the fortress. Excursion lasts half the day, dinner is not provided.
We do not recommend an excursion in the group, since all interesting places tourists pass quickly, there is no time to stop and admire the concerns. You can get to Vyšehrad easily on the subway, and tickets to buy yourself in the box office, in an organized round there is a lot no sense.
If you come on your own, you can buy a map in the information center for 20 Czech crowns and a guide "Reflections on Vysehrad" for 45 kroons. All this is available in Russian. Entrance to the territory of the fortress Vysehrad is free, only tickets for some buildings are paid for. Current Course Czech Crane See our article "What Money in the Czech Republic".
Ticket to the Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul (on the photo on the left, click to enlarge) – 30 kroons, in the Gothic Basements of the Visegrad – 50 kroons, to the art gallery – 20 kroons. Children under 15 years old can pass for all buildings for free. For 45 kroons, you can take an audio guide in Russian.
Opening hours
All exposures in Vyšehrad are open to visitors:
From November to March – from 9-30 to 17-00;
From April to October – C 9-30 to 18-00.
How much time leaves
Organized excursion is designed for 1.5 hours of stay of tourists in Visegrad. Such a tempo we love to call "a gallop of Europe", even half of the Vyšehrad in this pace not to see.
With an independent trip, we recommend planning 3-4 hours. During this time, it is leisurely to go through charming streets and parks, see the stunning decoration of the Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul, walk through the codes and find all celebrities in Pantheon.
History and legends of the Visegrad
The appearance of the city is associated with a legend of Prince Croc and his daughter Libuch. Among the three daughters of the prince, she heard the wisest, beautiful, and only she preached Christian beliefs.
Standing on the rock of the Visegecha, the girl focused on the emergence of a glorious city here. She chose a narrowed, without seeing him. It turned out to be agricheard Premysl. He became the first representative of the kind of Prezhysov. In the photo on the right Statue of Libuch and Premysl in Visegrad, click on the photo to increase.
The fortress on the hill is built in the 10th century, Vyšehrad became the same as the history of the Czech state itself. Princess Libuha predicted glorious glory and flourished, which happened during the reign of goalislava II. He founded in 1070 the Vyrahsek Capitul, sovereign from Prague Episcipration.
Czech ruler spoke for the development and prosperity of his state. With it, the rotunda of St. Martin, the temple of Saints Peter and Paul, or rather, its first version in the Romanesque style. Was in Visegrad his mint.
Soletlav II will continue his predecessor. When Vladislav comes to power in 1140, Vyšehrad began to give up the championship Prague degrees in political and cultural life. By the 12th century, all major fortifications were completed, but gradually the significance of the Vyšerad for the Czech Republic decreases.
In the 14th century, large-scale urban work works in the capital are unfolded, since Karl IV decides to make Prague by the residence of the rulers of the Holy Roman Empire.
Another legend about Libuch is connected with the name of the emperor. She instructed her firstborn in gold cradle. After the cradle became not needed, she was thrown into the pool. Libuha predicted the appearance of a cradle on the surface of the river only after the birth of a worthy ruler of the Czech Republic. The cradle surfaced after the birth of the Queen Elishka Son – the Future Charles IV.
The construction of new places begins by the decree of the king in 1348. He conducted the reconstruction of the Royal Palace, built the fortifications, connecting the fortress of Vyšehrad and the new place, built a massive gate – wrap. The old church of Saints Peter and Paul is demolished, the temple in the Gothic style appears in its place.
Under Carrla IV, the tradition of the coronation followation of the Kings of the Czech Republic from the Vyšehrad in Novaya Place, then Stare-Places and Mala-country in the famous Prague Castle. The emperor in the Czech Kings Code was documented by the mandatory worship of the future rulers of the country before the coronation of the general ancestor of Prezhyl Param, which founded the dynasty of Prezhysov. To do this, it was necessary to arrive in Vyšehrad, where the soum and the pahahar’s liking shoes, which became symbols of the kind of kings.
After Karl IV, the construction of large-scale buildings in Visegrad was discontinued. In the subsequent existence, he developed as a military fortress. Wars of Gusites 1420 devastated the area.
In the 17th century, it was converted to the ferrocco style fort with massive brick walls. In 1866, the fortress was closed, and the burial place of the color of the Czech nation became a national cemetery. Over 600 figures of Czech culture are buried on it. Among the other Karel Chapek, his wife Olga Shainphlugova, the writer and actress, composers of the dish, sour cream and Antonin Dvorak. Tombstones of bright representatives of the nation represent a gallery of a memorial sculpture.
In 1893, the Slavin Mausoleum was built on the territory of the cemetery, in which more than fifty prominent people of the Czech Republic were found. Built in Visegrad and summer scene (from 1849 to 1850). From the 90s of the 20th century, it is used for concert programs (May – September). One of the administrative districts of the Czech Republic Viseged became in 1883, after joining Prague.
Walk to the glorious past (what to see)
Let us dwell on the most important sights.
One of the oldest architectural monuments of Prague – Rotunda of St. Martin. It was created in the middle of the 11th century. The appearance has not changed its illness since then, it changed several times the purpose: there was a refuge for poor, arsenal, a police station.
In 1757, during the storming of Prague, the cannonic core launched by Russian troops was stuck in the wall and without exploding. And today you can see it there. Photo of the Rotunda of St. Martin on the right, click on the photo to enlarge.
The central building is the Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul. Mortislav I wished to get rid of the authorities of the Prague diocese led by his brother Yaromirome, so he conceived to build the chapter, submitted to Pope Roman. A delegation was sent to obtain the blessing of the Pope and the study of the Roman Temple of Peter and Paul.
Hussites destroyed the temple, he was rebuilt, repaired: "Tried" on himself and Romanesque style, and baroque. Now we have a neo-style basilica, rebuilt by Joseph Ikker in 1885.
Frantki Mix also took part in creating a modern appearance of the temple, adding two towers. One of the towers became the "place of residence" of the expositions of the Art Gallery "Vyšehrad". In the temple you will see a carved altar in the style of Modern (author I. Kasstner), the licks of the saints of the country’s patrons inside the altar (the authors of Frantishek and Maria Urbanov), the tomb of the Czech kings under the arch of the church. Mortislav II, Conrad, Sobolev I, Sobolev II, buried here. The Sarcophag of St. Longgin is also located in the temple (Roman Sotnik core Jesus, after becoming his follower). The belonging of the remains is not proven to him (and how can it be proved?).
Scientists tend to consider the remains in the sarcophagus with the relics of the representative of the Prelbits. Pantheon "Slavin" – the burial place of the glorious personalities of the Czech nation. He was built by Antonin Vigla and Joseph Maudra (1889-1890). This sculpture museum is striking the magnesium and originality of the tombstones, each of which is a work of art.
Visegrad Garden, enveloping the Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul, – the place of fragments of the ancient buildings. Here are the debris of the old bridge (11th century), the ruins of the Royal Palace (14th century), the elements of the castle tower (14th century), parts of Bani Libuha. Czech sculptor Joseph Vindebeck created sculptures of the characters of the local epic, as well as the legends of the Visegrad. "Settled" these sculptures in the garden, replacing their "place of residence" from the Palatsky bridge for Vyšehrad (1948).
The equestrian statue of St. Waclav, starting it from the horse market, was pretty, while having visited him on the fountain opposite the Inrzhizh Street. Replacing several addresses, in the end, was put on the old road from Vynegerad’s castle to Vltava (on this road the patron followed from Vyšehrad to Prague). In Wenceslas Square, it was replaced by a new statue, which now became one of the visual symbols of Prague.
In the garden you will see and "Devil Column". Scientists consider them the remains of the solar clock or the remaining material after the construction of the temple of Saints Peter and Paul.
Be sure to visit the caasemate, laid at Ferdinand III (on the photo nearby, click to enlarge). Expanded him in the 18th century. The underground structure stretches for a few kilometers (only small part of it is available for inspection). In the 19th century, a light was held in the dungeon, which illuminates long corridors, niches for storing weapons, premises for soldiers.
See the tower with a scraper, erected in the 14th century and the former main goal, can be in a mirror maze, and the ruins of the towers are inserted into the walls of the building, where the Fortress Information Center is located today.
And more Sumine Slage:
– By the house of Biliano – famous writer – collectors of mysterious, fabulous stories about Prague;
– Capella Virgin Mary, erected in the 15th century, who stored the statue of the Virgin Mary Loretanskaya;
– New Decancing (Residence of the Charter), built in 1879, where the library is located, the exhibition "History of Visegecha";
– Old burgration with the original chamber hall;
– Libushina Bay, which is now the ruins of fortress structures, received by the legends of swimming in the Ban of Libuch with their beloved, koi then dumped from a cliff to the river;
– Sculptural compositions of Joseph thought "Premysl and Libush". Watch the photo next to click on the photo to enlarge;
– "Tstira and Sharcar", "Lieur and Writing", "Proceeding and Glory";
– "Invisible" church – she is hidden in the wall of the fortress: in the 14th century, builders came up with a way to hide the churches from destruction by enemies. Probably, this is the only church that does not have a roof and facade;
– Plates for children: "From the ancient Czech tales" and "at the Gorlice".
Tips for tourists
– If you are going to Vyšehrad yourself, then come in the morning. The fact is that sightseeing groups arrive here after 14-00, and from tourists will not pour. In the morning you will walk in the fortress almost completely loneliness.
– Start a walk on Visegrad from the Tabor gate, and finish through the brick gate, then the walk will not be so tedious. Descend easier than climb.
– Consider your clothes and shoes for excursion. Clothing should be for the season, and the shoes are comfortable and well-diverse. About the wardrobe on a trip to the Czech Republic, we talked in detail in the article "What to take a tourist to the Czech Republic".
– Map and guidebooks by Vyvertochka can be bought in the information center. There is a set of only 65 crowns, and the benefit from it will be much.
– Here, in the information center you can buy souvenirs. Nothing rare and especially valuable here not to find, except for magnets with a symbolism of Visegrad. To buy gifts from the Czech Republic, it is better to choose another place – where cheaper, and the range is wider. Read our review "Gifts and souvenirs from the Czech Republic".
– Not at all cash registers take euros, better stock in advance with Czech krons. Read our article "How to change money in the Czech Republic".
– Opposite the Children’s playground is broken opposite the rotunda (designed for children 3-15 years old).
– A pleasant surprise will give a visit to the caasemates: 6 original sculptures from Karlova Bridge are located in a special hall: Saint Bernard with Madonna, Saint Augustine, Saint Nicholas, Holy History, St. Anna, Saint Lyudmila with Little Vaclav.
– Be careful not to the cliffs, carefully follow the children. About other hazards for tourists, read in our review "What should not be done in the Czech Republic".
– On the territory of the parks is prohibited walking dogs, breeding fires, installation of campgrounds, roller skating, skates. On bicycles you can move only on special tracks.
– There are several cafes and restaurants in Visegrad. Of course, the prices are high, but the masterpieces of Czech cuisine from local chefs are worth.
– Vysehrad is one of the zones in Prague, where the drinking drinks is prohibited, including beer. The penalty may be impressive, in detail in our article "Alcohol in the Czech Republic – Rules and Fines".
– Since May 2017, a new anti-bacter law came into force, and smoking throughout the castle Vysehrad is prohibited. Although visitors are smoking "Wtihar", bulls in urns can be found. Be careful and read our article "Smoking in the Czech Republic – Rules and Penalties".
Vysehrad can be the brightest impression in the Czech Republic, alongside in Prague County, Prague Quarants or Karlstein castle. Do not miss the opportunity to visit this legendary place.
Successful walks in Prague, and read our interesting articles about the Czech Republic (Links below).
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Alexander – Glavred site
Very interesting comment made user nile. Read it on a separate page ‘Mystic in Prague’.
