Třetí nádvoří Pražského hradu Courtyard

Welcome to the heart of Prague Castle. Stop for a moment, take a breath and look around you. You have just entered the Third courtyard, which is the largest and the main of the four entire courtyard of the castle complex. You may feel the strange sense of space and openness surrounding you now. You are standing in a place that has served for over a thousand years as a power and church centre of the Czech state. It is a space where the fate of monarchs, the ambition of bishops and the everyday life of the castle court have intertwined for centuries. Everything you see around you is not just a set of structures, but a layered record of Czech history, where every era has left its mark.

Let us now return together in time to understand how this place has become so important. Even in the ninth century, the presence of the ruling elite was documented in this area, making this hill a natural center of power. A century later, in the tenth century, the rotunda of St. Vitus was created here, which laid the spiritual foundation of this space. As the state grew and its needs changed, so did architecture. In the twelfth century, a stone palace was built, which replaced earlier wooden buildings and gave the castle a new dimension of stability and durability. Imagine how this courtyard evolved from a fortified mansion in a monumental complex that we admire today.

Now pay attention to what you see right in front of you. The dominance of the entire space is the magnificent cathedral of St. Vitus, Václav and Vojtěv. Look at its western facade, dominated by two high towers facing the sky. It is a sight that gives rise to wonder even in those who visit the castle for the first time, even in those who have been here many times. If you look at the south side of the cathedral now, you will see the original Golden Gate, which is one of the most important elements of this space. Next to the cathedral stands the Old Royal Palace, which together with the temple forms the unshakable foundation of this courtyard.

Note also the details brought into the space by architect Jože Plečnik. One of the most significant elements is the obelisk which was placed in the year of a thousand nine hundred twenty-eight. Plennik was able to link deep respect for history with a modern sense of space, and it is this element that gives the courtyard a unique rhythm. And remember to look at the royal balcony. It's a place of very strong symbolic significance, because that's where the rulers approached the public. Imagine the silence that must have sown in this space at such a time, when the voice of the man who at that moment was deciding the fate of the nation came from above.

With this place are the names of the personalities that have fundamentally influenced history. Let us remember, for example, Václav the first, whose time of reign was crucial for strengthening the castle as a centre of power. Later, Marie Terezie left its trail, whose influence was felt in every corner of the castle. And in much more recent times we saw the presence of Václav Havel, who in this historical context represented the modern democratic era of the Czech state. It is fascinating to realize that these people, although from different centuries and with different visions, shared this very space that you are now walking on.

You may find one interesting thing that makes this place unique. The third courtyard is not only the largest of all four Courts of Prague Castle, but is also the most eastern. This position and dimensions make it a natural knot that connects different parts of the castle. This is where the entrance from the second courtyard, vicar street and access to the Na Valech garden are met. It's kind of a crossroads of castle life where the sacral one meets the secular one.

Now, when you look around, feel the atmosphere of this place. On the east side of the courtyard there is a medieval palace, which resembles the time when the castle was primarily a fortress. All of these elements together form a space that is not just a monument but a living organism. It's a place where history keeps pouring into the present.

Now that you've felt the spirit of this great courtyard, I suggest you continue to explore. You can go towards the gardens of Na Valech, where you can find peace and greenery, or take a walk through the Vicar Street, which will lead you to other hidden corners of the castle. Let yourself be guided by your curiosity and perceive every detail, because every stone here has a story waiting to be discovered.

Thank you for coming through the 3rd courtyard of Prague Castle. I wish you a pleasant rest of the journey and many new experiences in this magical place. Goodbye.