Vyšehrad
By Dominique Mohaud Spalovsky
Legendary history
Legend has it that Vyšehrad is the place where Prague was born. Located just outside of downtown Prague, Vyšehrad is a great place to visit if you are suffering from tourist fatigue. Not well known by many tourists and far from the maddening crowds, it features a beautifully renovated cathedral, amazing gardens, and breathtaking vistas.
Premyslid dynasty
A fortification was built here in the 10th century to serve as the royal court of the Premyslids, a Czech royal dynasty that reigned in Bohemia from the 9th century to 1306. Few of the castle’s original buildings remained after the Battle of Vyšehrad in 1420.
Sights at Vyšehrad
Vyšehrad Castle is situated on a hill overlooking the Vltava River. Within the walls of the castle, you will find the Basilica of St Peter and St Paul, as well as the Vyšehrad Cemetery, where many famous people from Czech history are buried, among them Antonín Dvořák, Bedřich Smetana, Karel Čapek and Alphonse Mucha. Vyšehrad is also home to the small 11th-century rotunda Church of St Martin. These small rotunda chapel churches were once common in Prague, but now only three remain, with St Martins being the best example.
Open-air concerts
On Sundays in May, June, and August, open-air concerts are held here at 2.30 pm, with anything from jazz to oompah bands to chamber music. There is an open-air Summer Theatre (Letní scéna) where you can catch a concert or cultural show at 6 pm on most Thursdays or the odd children’s performance on Tuesday afternoon (usually around 2 pm).
Weekend family outings
Vyšehrad retains a fond place in Czech hearts and is a popular destination for weekend family outings. Pack a picnic basket and relax in the beautiful gardens and enjoy the sweeping views of the river and city, while watching mothers playing with their children, lovers canoodling on park benches, and people walking their dogs.
Vyšehrad metro station is five minutes walk east of the citadel, past Congress Centre (Kongresové centrum).
