Tour the Prague Castle District in 2023 – with 360 VR video
Nestled in the heart of the city is the Prague Castle, a beautiful and historic building that has been witness to some of the most important events in Czech history. Let’s take a tour of the Prague Castle District.
The Prague Castle is a historic castle located in Prague, Czech Republic. It is the largest ancient castle in the world and has been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1992.
I visited Prague castle with my 360 camera and filmed as I walked around and enjoyed the sights.
This was actually a part of a 10 day guided tour I took of Eastern Europe and this was the last city we visited.
The castle was founded in the 9th century by Prince Borivoj I of Bohemia. It served as the home of the Kings of Bohemia and later as the seat of the Czechoslovakian government. Today, the castle houses the office of the President of the Czech Republic. It is also a popular tourist destination, attracting millions of visitors each year.
The castle complex, which covers an area of over 70,000 square meters, is home to a number of historical buildings and museums. Visitors can tour the Prague castle district, explore the dungeons, or climb to the top of the tower for breathtaking views of the city.
360 video of Prague Castle District
Here is my 360 VR video tour of the area. You can watch and pause as you read the blog.
If watching on Iphone I recommend opening the video in your YouTube app to get a better experience.
The Courtyard of Prague Castle
The Courtyard of Prague Castle is a large courtyard found in the castle complex of Prague Castle. It is the largest courtyard in the castle and is home to many important buildings, such as St. Vitus Cathedral.
The courtyard is also the site of several important events, such as the investiture of the Czech president. The Courtyard of Prague Castle is a popular tourist destination and attracts visitors from all over the world.
As you can see in the video, it unfortunately rained the day I went there.
Cathedral of Saint Vitus in Prague Castle
St. Vitus is a large cathedral located in Prague, Czech Republic. It is the seat of the Archbishop of Prague and the main church of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Prague. The cathedral is named after Saint Vitus, the patron saint of Bohemia.
Situated within the walls of Prague Castle, the Gothic cathedral is home to the remains of several Czech kings and queens, as well as Saint Wenceslas, the country’s patron saint.
It is the largest and most important church in Prague. The cathedral was founded in 1344 by Charles IV, and its construction took nearly 600 years to complete.
The Cathedral is an excellent example of Gothic architecture, with its flying buttresses, stained glass windows, and steeples. It is also home to the tomb of Saint John Nepomuk, which is said to have miraculous healing powers.
Visitors can also admire the beautiful stained glass windows and stonework, which date back to the 14th century. While the basilica is free to enter, guided tours are available for a fee.
You can also climb up to the top of one of the towers for an incredible view of Prague (just be prepared for a bit of a hike!).
I shot scenes both inside and outside St. Vitus in the 360 video.
Tour the Old Royal Palace in Prague
The Old Royal Palace served as the home of the Kings of Bohemia and later as the seat of the Czechoslovakian government. The palace is currently open to the public as a museum. visitors can explore the royal apartments, halls, and gardens. Guided tours are also available.
The palace was built in the 12th century and served as the seat of the Bohemian kings until the 17th century. Today, the palace houses a number of museums, including the National Gallery and the Czech Crown Jewels.
Over the centuries, it underwent many renovations and additions, most notably in the 14th century when it was given a Gothic makeover. In 1538, King Ferdinand I had another large wing added on, and it was during his reign that much of the palace’s splendor was created.
The Old Royal Palace is a large complex of buildings, containing several courtyards and dozens of rooms.
Vladislav Hall is perhaps one of the most interesting rooms in the Old Royal Palace. Built in 1493, it was originally used as a ceremonial hall for coronations and other important events. Today, it is used as a concert hall.
Visit Golden Lane in Castle District
Golden Lane is a small street found within Prague Castle that is home to a number of colorful houses. The street gets its name from the goldsmiths who once resided there. Today, Golden Lane is a popular tourist destination and home to a number of souvenir shops and cafes.
Tour Daliborka Tower
Daliborka Tower is one of the most iconic towers of Prague Castle. The tower was once used as a prison, and it is said that prisoners were tortured by being hung from the hooks that can still be seen on the walls of the tower today. Visitors can climb to the top of the tower for stunning views of Prague Castle and the city below.
Lobkowicz Gardens and Palace
Lobkowicz Gardens are located within Prague Castle and are open to the public. The gardens feature beautiful flowers, sculptures, fountains, and views of Prague Castle.
Visitors can also purchase tickets to tour the Lobkowicz Palace.
It houses one of the largest collections of masterpieces in Prague, including works by Rubens, Velazquez, and Titian
View the Changing of the Guard
The Changing of the Guard is a ceremonial event that takes place at Prague Castle. During the event, members of the Castle Guard march from the Old Royal Palace to St. Vitus Cathedral and back again. The event is free to watch and makes for great photo opportunities.
Hradcany Square in Prague
It is located right next to the Prague Castle in the surrounding district and is ringed by numerous churches and historic buildings and palaces.
One of the most iconic buildings in Hradcany Square is the Schwarzenberg Palace, constructed in 1590. Today it serves as a museum dedicated to displaying artwork from across Europe and contains over 2000 artifacts from 16th-20th centuries.
Also located at Hradcany Square is the Archbishop’s Palace which has served as an administrative center for many prominent Catholic leaders throughout its 400-year history. Its curved façade showcases Baroque and Rococo architectural elements while its intricate gate was constructed in 1725.
Another attraction there is the Marian Column which stands proudly in the center of the square. This column was erected by Rudolf II in 1627 during his reign as King of Bohemia and commemorates his victory against Protestant forces.
I get a nice shot of all these in my video as I pulled my 360 cam through the gate of the palace and it opens up into the square.
Royal Route to Prague Castle
For centuries, the kings of Bohemia followed a royal route to Prague Castle that started at Old Town Square ( this link is a full blog tour and 360 video of Old Town Square ) and passed over Charles Bridge.
The journey was an important part of the king’s coronation, and as they made their way through the city, they were met with cheers from the enthusiastic onlookers. Finally, they would have reached their destination at the gates of Prague Castle, ready to ascend into their royal residence.
Map of Prague Castle District
I is Old Royal Palace.
V is Golden Lane
VIII is St Vitus Cathedral.
2 is the palace South Gardens.
3 is the moat.
Entrances to Castle Prague
In my video, I show the paths to all 4 directions. See map above.
Stairs to the south lead down to Lesser Town and towards Charles Bridge.
I have a separate Charles Bridge 360 video and blog here.
Stairs to the East head down towards bridge and Old Town area.
North side has moat (got a 360 video shot of it), and no need for a climb since you can take transportation to near the gate and walk.
West side also has no climbing required from the city below and heads towards Petrin Hill and you walk through Hradcany Square.
Here is the 360 video and blog of tour of Petrin Hill.
Take a Guided Tour of Prague Castle District
There are a number of guided tours available that will take you around Prague Castle district and provide you with information about its history and architecture. Guided tours are typically available in multiple languages and last for around two hours.
In fact, I visited Prague Castle and the surrounding area on a tour with Gate 1 and it was a great experience.
Best of Prague: City Walking Tour, Boat Cruise, and Typical Czech Lunch
360 Video
If you’re looking to tour some new and amazing places, or just want a little taste of what it’s like to be in them, 360 VR is the perfect way to do it! With my 360 VR videos, you can visit locations all over the world without ever leaving your home.
Remember to swipe or move your phone/tablet around to look around in 360, and use the mouse to look around on desktop. Enjoy!
And the best experience with phone is to sit on a swivel chair while watching.
I used my Insta360 X3 camera to film.
