2009 visit.
toured the Old Palace.
Prague Castle - Old Royal Palace (Starý královský palác).
Prague Castle - Daliborka Tower (Daliborka)
This palace was the seat of Bohemian princes and kings until the 16th century. It was built on the remains of the Romanesque Soběslav Palace. Most notable is the Gothic Vladislav Hall – the largest secular space of medieval Prague (1487 – 1500, Benedikt Rejt) with remarkable rib vaulting, used today as the venue for ceremonial state events.
From the 16th century, the Vladislav Hall served particularly royal state purposes. It was the scene of coronation festivities and banquets, knights' tournaments and markets with artistic and luxurious goods. The Vladislav Hall still partly fulfils the state function: the elections of the president of the Czech Republic used to take place there and ceremonial gatherings connected with important days in the life of this country are held there still.
From the south-western corner of the Vladislav Hall a portal leads to the Ludwig Wing with the offices of the Czech Chancellery. In 1618, its second room witnessed the beginning of the uprising of the Czech Estates when two governors and a scribe were thrown into the Castle ditch from its window. The uprising of the Czech Estates was the first conflict of the Thirty Years' War (1618 - 1648)
All Saints' Church
The All Saints' Church was built by Petr Parler on the site of the Romanesque palace chapel, also consecrated to All Saints. According to old sources, the church was magnificently decorated in the manner of Sainte Chapelle in Paris.
Prague Castle - Daliborka Tower (Daliborka)
At the eastern end of the Golden Lane stands a round tower, shrouded in legend. Dating back to 1496, the tower, which served as a prison until 1781, is named after its first inmate – Dalibor of Kozojedy. In addition to the dungeon with its monumental vaults, there is a circular opening in the floor through which offenders were lowered into the oubliette with the help of a pulley.
