Climbing the 287 Steps at The Prague Castle - The World's Biggest Ancient Castle

Prague is a city full of rich history and cultures.

Most of all, the city is blessed with an abundance of  impressive magnificent architecture and buildings!



















We had the opportunity of visiting the city's most famous building - the Prague Castle, one of the most important building in the Czech Republic.

The Prague Castle complex is a series of buildings located in Prague. 

The first building was started in the late 8th century.  

In the course of the castle building construction period, work progressed slowly due to interruptions caused by wars and by fire.  

Bohemian kings and emperors continued adding and constructing the buildings with various architectural designs under the supervision of three different architects over a period of 600 years. 

 

According to the Guinness Books of Records,  the Prague Castle is the largest ancient castle in the world with an area of 700,00 square meters. 

 

It is the seat of the current president of the Czech Republic.

The St. Vitus Cathedral is an excellent example of the Gothic architectural design.

 

 The St. Vitus Cathedral located inside the Prague Castle is a magnificent building!

 

Climbing to the top of St. Vitus Cathedral

We climbed the 287 steps to the top of the Great South tower of the St. Vitus Cathedral.

 

As we were climbing up the stairs, we needed to negotiate our way as the narrow stairway could accommodate only one person  at a time.

Reaching the top of the Cathedral, Prague Castle

It was not an easy climb for people our age. We took our time and paced ourselves.

Finally we reached  to the top of the tower. 

The view was incredible!

View from the top of the St. Vitus Cathedral, Prague, Czech Republic

A bird's eye view of the grounds of the Prague Castle

We could see the entire castle ground and much of the city of Prague.

















😊It was well worth the effort!

We also learned an interesting thing about the biggest bell in the Czech Republic, hanging on cowhide inside the Great South Tower.

The bell weights 15 tons and is called the Zikmund. It predicted the disastrous flood in Prague in 2002.



















On June 15, 2002, during the pealing on the occasion of the St. Vitus feast, the clapper cracked. According to legends, a disaster would happen.

In August, the disastrous flood arrived in Prague.

 

The Prague Castle is truly a spectacular place to visit.

 We were especially awed and inspired by the magnificence of the St. Vitus Cathedral. 

 

After descending down from the tower, J. S and I sat in the square in silence, staring and admiring the indescribable beauty of this architectural masterpiece!

We climbed to the top of the South Tower, Prague Castle 

R.T.

Prague Castle

Prague, Czech Republic