Slepá brána Gate

Welcome to the heart of historical Prague. You are standing right here today in a place that is part of ordinary urban life, but if you stop and try to look at this space with different eyes, you will realize that this is where the fundamental history of our city once took place. You may see only modern facades around you, moving vehicles and a constant stream of people, but underneath this layer of the present, there is a shadow of a monumental gate that once determined the rhythm of life in New Town. Try to imagine for a moment that you don't see each other in today's world, but at a time when Praha was the city of walls, tall walls and impenetrable gates.

This space was once a key point in a huge fortification. More than 600 years ago, around the year of a thousand and three hundred and fifty, one of the most important buildings in the whole of New Town began to emerge here. Lord Charles the Fourth, a man with incredible vision and ambition, has decided to build an extensive defense system to protect his new city and declare its importance throughout Europe. It was here that a gate was built, which was not just an ordinary passage, but a symbol of power and stability. This building was the most important of all the four gates of New Town and its presence here was absolutely necessary for the security and commercial prosperity of the whole area.

Now pay attention to what this gate might have looked like when it was in the greatest glory. Even if you don't see her physically today, we can very accurately draw her majestic form from historical records. Imagine a structure that resembled the famous gate of Špiček near Vysehrad. It wasn't just an ordinary wall with an opening. Her architecture was rich, and it gave her respect. Notice in the images of those polygonal corner towers that were protruding towards the sky with their steep, built roofs. The whole gate was supplemented by a raked gallery where guards could watch over security and monitor every movement in the area. The whole structure was designed to be indomitable and proud, as a dignified gateway to the emerging metropolis.

But this space had many faces and many names in the past. In times of its greatest importance, it was not called Slepá brána as we know it today. Her original names were more associated with spiritual life and the everyday reality of the people at the time. It was often called the Gate of St. John, which referred to the proximity of the church that was part of this important place. Over time, however, a less noble title - the Swine Gate - appeared in the folk language. These names show us how the perception of this place changed depending on whether you were passing through here as a noble guest or as a resident seeking a journey to the city.

But the history of this place was not only about building and fame, but also about conflict and destruction. In the year of a thousand four hundred twenty, during the stormy Hussite Wars, Praha found itself in the fire of endless clashes. It was at this time that a tragic event occurred when the church of St. John was destroyed. This event deeply affected the very essence of this place and changed its character. The gate had to face not only political upheavals, but also constant changes in the needs of the city.

An interesting and perhaps even slightly sad twist in the history of this construction is the way she got her name today. As you may have been called, the gate became blind. How is that possible? In the year one thousand seven hundred ninety-four there was a fundamental change in the organization of the city. The Rye Gate was completed and the need for this old gate as the main communication for vehicles ceased to exist. The gate was deliberately blinded. It no longer allowed carriages or heavy cars to pass, it became only a narrow pedestrian passage. She lost her ability to "see" and release the movement of the city, becoming a mere hole in the wall that only served the pedestrians. It was this fact that she had her present, a little mysterious and melancholy name.

The last chapter of her existence was written in a year of eight hundred and ninety-seven. During this period Praha began to quickly change into a modern metropolis and old castle facilities were seen as an obstacle to development. As part of the systematic and planned demolition of Prague walls, Slepá brána was definitively removed. What once represented an impenetrable barrier and a proud entrance to the city was removed to make room for the new streets and the wider space you see around you right now.

Even if you're standing in a place where you won't find any more of the gate stones, the atmosphere of this place still bears traces of its rich past. It is a place where the wealth of Charles the Fourth clashes with the unrest of Hussite storms, where majestic architecture clashes with the simple need for daily movement.

Now I urge you to continue your walk and continue to discover this fascinating city. Every street you walk through now can hide a similar story about how Praha changed from a fortified fortress to a living, modern metropolis. Thank you for your journey in time and I wish you a wonderful continuation in our tour of the city. Goodbye.