Trip tip - Vyšehrad

If you are a lover of history, romantic views, or enjoy stories and legends, then we have a great tip for a trip for you:

Visit the iconic Vyšehrad in Prague, which perfectly combines all these themes!

History of Vyšehrad

At Vyšehrad, you will find a number of important monuments, and countless stories and legends are also associated with this place, reflecting the rich history of the Czech lands.

In this article, we will mention some of them:

Medieval roots

Besides prehistoric settlement from the end of the 4th and 3rd millennia BC, the verifiable history of Vyšehrad dates back to the tenth century. At that time, there was a mint of Czech princes, which was later rebuilt by the first crowned Czech king Vratislav II. into the main royal residence.

During your visit to Vyšehrad, you must not miss the Romanesque Rotunda of St. Martin, which is one of the oldest stone buildings in Prague. It is even the oldest preserved rotunda in Prague. At that time, Vyšehrad served as a princely fortified settlement, thus representing the center of political and religious power.

Rotunda of St. Martin at Vyšehrad

Neo-Gothic Basilica and Cemetery

The Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul at Vyšehrad has been rebuilt many times. An early Romanesque basilica originally stood on its site, which was significantly rebuilt in the Gothic style during the time of Charles IV. and later in the High Baroque style at the beginning of the 18th century. However, this magnificent building owes its current appearance to the radical Neo-Gothic reconstruction from the late 19th to early 20th century. We consider it a jewel of Vyšehrad.

Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul

The burial ground around the basilica, known as Slavín, is the final resting place for many important figures in Czech history, including the composer Bedřich Smetana and the excellent sculptor Karel Havlíček.

Baroque Fortress Vyšehrad

Vyšehrad acquired its current form primarily during its reconstruction into a Baroque fortress between 1650 and 1866. The massive brick fortification has an irregular pentagonal shape, complemented by bastions at each apex, and was completed in 1727.

Baroque Fortress Vyšehrad - views from the ramparts

Part of the fortifications is an extensive system of corridors, called casemates, which served for the rapid movement of the military garrison, but also for storing material.

Romantic views

Vyšehrad, proudly towering on the right bank of the Vltava, offers a unique view of the river, as well as the New Town and Prague Castle. You will find several magnificent lookout points with far-reaching views of the surrounding landscape. We mentioned that Vyšehrad formerly served as a Baroque fortress. Its preserved fortifications today form a unique Vyšehrad panorama. Enjoy it to the fullest during your walk along the ramparts or from the other side of the river, for example, from Smíchov Embankment.

Vyšehrad, an unmissable landmark on the right bank of the Vltava

Stories and legends

Vyšehrad is also associated with a number of legends and stories. It is said that Vyšehrad was founded by Prince Krok, as he was looking for a safer fortified settlement to settle in.

Other legends tell of Princess Libuše and Přemysl the Ploughman, Horymír with Šemík, or the Devil's Pillar. These are probably the most famous stories associated with Vyšehrad.

Let us tell you a completely different story ...

connected with the military history of Vyšehrad. In the 18th century, Vyšehrad was a modern Baroque fortress and a military garrison was stationed there. It is in this era that our captivating story is set in the form of an outdoor escape game Fortress Vyšehrad.

The escape game Fortress Vyšehrad will introduce you to this iconic place in a fun way and show you Vyšehrad from a different perspective. In the game, you will complete various tasks, solve puzzles, and exercise your brain with ciphers.

Your Útěkáři.cz team