Vyšehrad, also called the Prague Stronghold, is located south of Prague New Town on a hill that rises steeply above the right bank of the Vltava River.
From here you have a spectacular view that reaches all the way to Prague Castle. That's why, Vyšehrad is one of the best viewpoints in Prague.
There are several sights to be found in Vyšehrad, some of which charge admission.
Places of Interest in Vyšehrad
- Slavin Cemetery: Some 600 important Czech personalities are buried here, including conductor Raphael Kubelik and composer Bedrich Smetana. The monumental tomb, the Slavin, is symbolic of a common place of final rest for these national greats.
- Cathedral of St. Paul and St. Peter: Since its construction 950 years ago, the cathedral has been rebuilt many times until it acquired its present neo-Gothic appearance. Inside you can see many Art Nouveau murals and ornaments. A carillon sounds every hour on the hour. There is an entrance fee.
- Vyšehrad Gallery: Vyšehrad Gallery is located inside the remains of a medieval watchtower and hosts temporary contemporary art exhibitions. There is an entrance fee to the gallery.
- Gothic Cellar: The Gothic cellar is a remnant of one of the four palace buildings erected in the second half of the 14th century in the area of the royal court. The destroyed cellars have been restored and now house a permanent exhibition on the history of Vyšehrad.
- Casemates: Passages in fortress ramparts, which were used for gathering troops and moving them unnoticed, were called casemates. The casemates seen here are about 1 kilometer long, 2 meters high and 1.5 meters wide. The largest underground room is called the Gorlice. Today, six original statues of Charles Bridge are kept in the 330 m² room, which has a height of 13 meters. The visit is subject to a fee.
- Martin's Rotunda: Martin's Rotunda is one of the best preserved Romanesque buildings in Prague. It dates from the 11th century and is dedicated to St. Martin. The marble altar and the paintings on the interior walls, which take motifs from the Vysehrad Coronation Codex, are original.
Eating in the Park
The very spacious park with old fortifications, small houses, flowers, and statues is located a bit away from the big tourist crowds in Prague and offers a wonderful view of Prague Castle and the other sights of Prague.
Many locals like to picnic here, but there are also various restaurants in and around the park that offer good Czech cuisine. Just let the aroma guide you... and the view comes with it...
Admission, Tickets, and Guided Tours
- Tickets: Individual tickets must be purchased for the respective sights. To avoid waiting time, we recommend buying tickets online here.
- Guided Tours: Vysehrad is open all year round. There are various guided tours available. For more details about the entrance fees, as well as exact details about the guided tours please click here, you will be redirected to the official website of the museum.
- Admission: Admission to the park area is free, but there is a fee for the gallery, the Gothic cellars, and the Cathedral of St. Paul and St. Peter. Tickets can be purchased directly on site. Details can be found here.
How Do I Get to Vyšehrad?
Vyšehrad is located 2 metro stations from Wenceslas Square and is easily accessible by metro line C, red line, Vyšehrad stop. From there it takes about 10 minutes to walk to the fortress.
Alternatively, you can use streetcar line 17 from the National Theater. The stop is closer to the fortress than the metro station, but the hill up is steeper.
History of Vyšehrad
According to legend, Vyšehrad is the oldest princely seat in Bohemia, but the first reliable documents about the existence of a hill fort date back to the middle of the 10th century.
Since then, Vyšehrad has changed its function and appearance several times.
It was a royal castle, for a short time even the seat of a monarch, when the first Czech king, Vratislav II, moved his seat of government here.
When the rulers returned to Prague Castle at the beginning of the 12th century, the castle visibly deteriorated. It experienced a revival during the reign of Charles IV, who ordered various additions and reconstructions.
After his death, Vyšehrad was mainly a priest town with more than 100 clergymen.
The reconstruction into a Baroque fortress, the appearance of which it has preserved to this day, took place after severe damage during an attack in the middle of the 17th century.
In the late 1800s, Vyšehrad became a national symbol and a cemetery for the most famous Czechs.
Today, the Prague stronghold is a popular destination for walks and offers a breathtaking view of the city of Prague.
Contact
- Address: V Pevnosti 159/5b, Vyšehrad, 128 00 Prague.
- Public Transport: metro line C, red line or street car 17, Vyšehrad stop
- Opening Hours: the exact opening hours can be found on this website.