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The Black Tower, also known as the Golden Tower, is a significant four-sided stone tower located at the eastern entrance to Prague Castle, approached by the Old Castle Stairs. Although it has undergone various modifications, it retains the character of a medieval castle tower from the 12th century. It is the only completely preserved tower from the original Romanesque fortification of Prague Castle.

The tower was built as a gatehouse around 1135, when Prince Soběslav I moved his residence back from Vyšehrad. Three similar towers, Black, White, and Southern, guarded the three entrances to the castle. In the 13th century, the gate was walled up and the tower received a spire. Under Charles IV, the spire was covered with a gilded tin roof, earning the tower the Golden Tower nickname.

The tower is a Romanesque four-sided tower with a square base of 11 x 11 meters and walls about 2.4 meters thick. The northern wall is 3 meters thick. The current height from the outside (eastern side) after the Gothic arch is 26 meters, originally it was about 2 meters lower. The outer shell is made of original ashlar masonry from tuff, with large sandstone blocks at the corners in the lower part.

Initially, the tower served as a defensive structure. A lookout dwelled in the highest floor, monitoring approaching enemies or potential fires in the surrounding area. On April 10, 1538, the tower caught fire after being struck by lightning, and the room on the first floor was likely converted into a prison. During the great fire of the castle, the Little Quarter, and Hradčany on June 2, 1541, the tower was spared, but its stonework was so blackened by smoke that it became known as the Black Tower.

The tower was used as a prison, housing notable prisoners such as Sixt of Ottersdorf, a staroměstský kancléř, and doctor Šimo Firmas, accused of writing satirical songs and poems against the king and the Catholic Church. Today, it is not open to the public and houses an archaeological collection of finds from Prague Castle.

The Black Tower is a significant part of Prague Castle, a large castle complex in the heart of Prague, the capital city of the Czech Republic. In the 12th century, Prague Castle was the residence of the Přemyslid dukes, and later it became the seat of the kings of Bohemia. During the 13th to 15th centuries, the castle underwent significant modifications, including the construction of the Gothic St. Vitus Cathedral. In the 16th century, the castle was a key location during the Protestant Reformation and the Thirty Years' War.

The Black Tower is worth visiting for its historical significance and architectural importance. It is a unique example of a Romanesque tower that has retained its original character despite undergoing various modifications over the centuries. Visitors can learn about its history and significance by exploring the surrounding Prague Castle, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.