Pražský Hrad

Prague castle

Introduction

Prague castle is, was, and will have a significant position in the Czech culture, politics, social life and various other aspects. It can be seen from many angles of perspectives - history, art, politics, architecture, or archaeology. Was the seat of Czech princes and kings, while it is significantly associated with the Czech princely and later royal family of the Dynasty, after which came next, and since 1918 is the seat of the first czechoslovak and later, after a year of 1993 and Czech presidents. He was both the seat of the emperors, whether it was dynasty Luxembourg, or the Habsburg. Since it is so extensive construction work, which is most of the us vyskytnuvších construction styles, with its individual buildings, or their parts are in themselves significant enough, it is difficult to hold this Castle as just a mere whole. And that's why I decided to, particularly with regard to better clarity, in addition to general historical and construction parts, furthermore individually reflect on the sub-construction or periods of its development, as well as activities associated with its existence.

Location and natural conditions

Through a number of significant changes to the terrain, that took place especially during the last approximately 1000 years are still on the narrow rocky promontory, or if we want to ostrožna, which extends practically along the Vltava and gradually to her then descends. The terrain here, however, has been significantly altered.

the Oldest is going on

Whether the area has been at least partially fort already in prehistoric times is today still disputed. Through a number of historical archaeological excavations have failed to find such traces, that do that. Settlement even, however, we don't know his range here but in prehistoric times it was. This is evidenced by the findings, albeit mostly secondarily transferred. The oldest ceramic fragments belong to the culture of řivnáčské, which is from the late stone age. From the younger bronze age, specifically knovízské culture we have further findings. Location would be in the period of these two cultures for fortification appropriate certainly was. The next settlement we have documented from the early middle ages.

Humble beginnings

The oldest period of the existence of the settlement, at that time, not even a fortified settlement, whose origin lays in maybe up to 8. century, and even the origins of the first fortified settlement of the 1. pololivny 9. century still cannot be linked with the Přemyslids, if would have at this time about them as about the future významnémm of the genus could talk. From this period we already have archaeologically doloženu part of the fortifications, though some of its elements are rather guessed.

Sources:
Joker, In. - Lutovský, M. - Weakness, M. - Smejtek, L. 2003: Encyclopedia of fortified settlements in Bohemia. Prague. ISBN 80-7277-173-6.
Durdík, T. 1999: an Illustrated encyclopedia of Czech castles. Prague.
Kupka, In. 2008: the Prague fortification. Prague. ISBN 978-80-7277-126-4.
Menclová, D. 1972a: the Czech castles : part the first. Prague.
Menclová, D. 1972b: the Czech castles : part two. Prague.
Zaruba, F. 2014: Castle chapel : And. Time přemyslovská. Prague..

Historical depictions

Cathedral (the Temple) of st. Vitus, Václav and Vojtěch



Sources:
http://www.hrady.cz/index.php?OID=1980
cs.wikipedia.org.

Monastery with the basilica of st. George



Source:
cs.wikipedia.org.

Chapel of All saints



Sources:
Zaruba, F. 2014: Castle chapel : And. Time přemyslovská. Prague.
kralovskedilo.ktf.cuni.cz
http://www.hrady.cz/index.php?OID=2072.

From the earliest settlement to the first Přemyslovcům

Prehistory

Settlement fortified settlement is documented already in prehistoric times, and in the late stone age culture řivnáčskou and later in the younger bronze age culture knovízskou. However, the following adjustments to ground us in the present state of knowledge does not permit to determine whether there was a fortified place (fort) or not. However, it is necessary to take into account the fact that on three sides it was fortified settlement very difficult to access.

Early middle ages

Only isolated archaeological finds indicate some closer unidentified human activity already in the 8. century. Demonstrably fortified castle was, however, only in the course of 1. mid-century 9. In this time were built in the central part and in the eastern conclusion hradčanské ostrožny two trenches, which were very similar. This was divided by the larger part of the premises fort. Better poznanou the situation we have in the western ditch, which was the width of about 4 m and hlubky 1.4 to 2 m. The ditch on the east it is assessed that could be partly of natural origin. The fortifications then it was probably followed by palisade, however, to do this there is unbreakable evidence. West of the ditch was in the 80's. years 9. a century exposed to the church of the Virgin Mary, that gave the construct according to Kristiánovy legends on the instruction of the prince Bořivoj I., who did so as a token of gratitude for the recovery of power in Bohemia, which at the time lost after the protikřesťanském uprising. It's that the church actually existed substantiate the archaeological research in 1950 under the leadership of Ivan Borkovský. From the point of view of the current situation of the Castle, with the church located in the western part of the second castle courtyard. This period is also accompanied by the use of the Castle the first historically documented the Přemyslids. However, it is assessed that permanently settled here for the government Spytihněv I. the Reasons for this could be several, it was definitely a well placed location in the middle of the nascent Czech state, it is also necessary to take account of the development of settlement in the area of Small Parties. Another important reason, albeit based only on a hypothesis, would be the existence of the stone throne, which was to serve at the onset of a prince of the Czechs to the throne. This stone throne, however, we have documented up to the year 1035.

The above-mentioned prince Spytihněv I. probably put the Castle for the first time to fortify the actual the wall dřevohlinité slatted construction with front stone screen of the dry laid limestone rocks mighty to 100 cm. It was found that in the obverse located holes through the wooden brace, which permeated her entire spread and integrating it with your own dřevohlinitou structures walls. Rear, inner side of the walls was probably with horizontally placed barriers, which was zapřena stakes sunk vertically into the ground. This structure was implemented approximately in the first two decades of 10. century. The ramparts were wide around 6 to 7 m and it is assumed that it was a high of around 8 m. Its circumference defining your own castle acropolis. This space would today define the area of today's III. the castle courtyard, Jiřského square and the space to the eastward, further away from him up to the place, where today stands the Black tower. In the space where between today's II. and III. the castle courtyard wall transversely přetínala castle ostrožnu, was supplemented by a moat from the outside. To the west was inserted the smaller of the forecastle, the area of today's nadvoří I., II. and IV. While archaeological excavations have shown the fortifications in multiple places of the acropolis, the fortifications of the forecastle is rather předpokládano. The area of the walled space reached approximately 5 to 6 ha. This fortification, through a series of repairs have lasted until the year 1135, when it was replaced by a brick romanesque wall. A major repair was captured just on the stretch of fortifications on the northern slope, where the existing structures replaced by a 650 cm wide wall of dry laid stones. However, the mere development of the Castle has undergone a number of changes. The oldest identified the construction of residential and economic character, including even the princely abode was a wooden structure. The only brick architecture made of stone were churches. To the church of the Virgin Mary was added in the reign of Vratislav I. the church of st. George and the prince Václav given to build rotunda of st. Vitus cathedral. Probably to end the government put the Boleslav I of. at the church of st. George to build the oldest female monastery in the us at all. In the church of st. George conducted the funerals of members of the Přemyslid dynasty, by contrast, the rotunda of st. Vitus became the year 973 episcopal church. The Rotunda was largely demolished in the 60's. years 11. of the century, since put here Spytihněv II. to build a basilica in the romanesque style, the here lasted until the construction of the cathedral of st. Vitus. Established residence of the prince, apparently on the south edge of the promontory. Originally the wooden episcopal seat was replaced by a stone brick building in the course of 1. half 11. century.

Also developed the castle in the area of today's Small Parties. Archaeological research has been documented and its fortifications in the form of dřevohlinité walls, in the area of today's square. Later, it was this fortification of the radically rebuilt, while increasing the sustained area.

At a certain period of time has become a strong rival of the Castle nearby the castle of Vyšehrad, located below after the flow of the river on the other side.

Sources:
Joker, In. - Lutovský, M. - Weakness, M. - Smejtek, L. 2003: Encyclopedia of fortified settlements in Bohemia. Prague. ISBN 80-7277-173-6..

Přemyslid romanesque castle.

Přemyslid gothic castle.

Luxembourg's gothic castle

A pivotal time for the development of the castle, was the government of Charles IV., who here has had to start building the cathedral of st. Vitus, which was eventually completed up to for 1. republic..

Jagellonský the late-gothic castle.

the Renaissance for the first of the Habsburgs.

Baroque and other building styles in the other periods of the reign of the Habsburgs (until 1918).

Castle in the service of the 1. republic.

Prague Castle in the period of the Protectorate of Bohemia and Moravia.

From the liberation to the present day.

Prague Castle in the trademark formation of the

Prague castle became the countless times the subject of postage stamps. And it was already the first ever issued by the czechoslovak postage stamp ever known the motive of Hradčany, albeit with unrealistically placed east of the sun. The castle further to see other rendering still per 1. the republic, later for the protectorate of Bohemia and Moravia. Even in socialist Czechoslovakia, he has been afforded attention. And even the Czech post did not owe anything. Necessary to mention, that outside of your own Castle, or its smaller or larger parts, has received trademark rendition of several works of art in the property of the Prague Castle..

Archaeological knowledge of the Castle.

Chapel of the holy Cross



Source:
http://www.hrady.cz/index.php?OID=6000.

Church of the Virgin Mary



Source:
http://www.hrady.cz/index.php?OID=2039.

the Church of st. Bartholomew



Source:
http://www.hrady.cz/index.php?OID=5101.

Kohl's fountain



Source:
http://www.hrady.cz/index.php?OID=5983.

Lobkowiczs palace



Source:
http://www.hrady.cz/index.php?OID=8059.

the Supreme burgrave's house



Source:
http://www.hrady.cz/index.php?OID=7512.

the Old provost's house



Source:
http://www.hrady.cz/index.php?OID=5999.

New provostry.

Institute of noble women (Rožmberský palace)



Source:
http://www.hrady.cz/index.php?OID=7513.

the Old royal palace.

the Powder tower (Mihulka)



Source:
mapy.cz.

White tower.

a hot hot



Source:
mapy.cz.

Black tower



Source:
mapy.cz.