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Temperature: 18.3°C
Conditions: Clear
Wind Speed: 6.4km/h
Wind Direction: NNE
POWDER TOWER
Náměstí Republiky 5, Praha 1 - Staré Město, PRAHA
20 - 500 CZK
Náměstí Republiky 5, Praha 1 - Staré Město, PRAHA
20 - 500 CZK
History
In an historical context, the Powder Tower is one of Prague’s most important medieval monuments. This is the place where royal coronation processions would commence. It is also the beginning and end of an important route from Kutná Hora, where silver was mined for the royal coffers. The so-called Mountain Tower (Horská brána) originally stood on this site, however. Because of its poor state of repair, this later became known as the “Shabby Tower” (Odraná brána) from the middle of the 13th century. At that time, it was still part of the city’s fortifications, but after the New Town was established by Charles IV, the fortification in this place lost its importance. Consequently, in 1475, the erection of a new symbolic tower gate began on the city moat (today’s Na Příkopě Street). The tower only retained its importance until the royal seat returned from the King’s Court (Králův dvůr – on the site of today’s Municipal House) to Prague Castle. The tower remained uncompleted until 1592, when a new entrance and spiral staircase were constructed. The Powder Tower acquired its current appearance during a refurbishment in the 1880s. Above the gateway, in the direction of Celetná Street, stands a statue of George of Poděbrady together with the Jagiellon monarch Vladislav II, who were kings of Bohemia during the relevant era. On the other side of the tower, in the direction of Náměstí Republiky, the building is adorned with statues of the great Czech monarchs Charles IV and Přemysl Otakar II.
Time scale
* 1348 – Charles IV founds the New Town; the old urban fortification loses its significance
* 1383 – The seat of the Czech ruler is to be moved for another 100 years to King’s Court which used to stand at the place of today’s Municipal House.
* 1475 – The construction of the New Gate (later called the Powder Gate) was initiated.
* 1592 – The Powder Gate construction is finished this year.
* 1757 – During the Prussian siege the Gate is damaged.
* 1823 – Clock is placed at the top of the Gate.
* 1878 – Launch of reconstruction in Neo-Gothic style
Miscellaneous
Technical data
Height: 65 m
Height of tower gallery: 44 m
Number of steps: 186
Architectonic surprises
From the 17th century, the new tower served as a storehouse for gunpowder and it has been called the Powder Tower since that time. The Powder Tower gate was erected on the bottom of a defensive moat that was nine metres below today’s street level and a bridge originally led up to the gateway.. Some mildly erotic scenes are depicted on the wall of the tower adjacent to the Municipal House. In the same wall, there is a special recess or alcove between floors, which served as a medieval toilet.
How you can reach us
By taking metro B or tram to Náměstí Republiky stop.
Visiting hours
October, March: Mo - Sun 10 - 20
November - February: Mo - Sun 10-18
April - September: Mo - Sun 10 - 22
Exhibitions
Admission price list
May
24
Current Conditions : 18.3C, Clear 9:01PM CEST
Temperature: 18.3°C
Conditions: Clear
Wind Speed: 6.4km/h
Wind Direction: NNE
Temperature: 18.3°C
Conditions: Clear
Wind Speed: 6.4km/h
Wind Direction: NNE
