Vyšehrad allures to pleasant about 2 hours lasting walk. Even if it is situated close to the city centre you will be in quiet surroundings out of traffic. Due to its position on higher rock just above Vltava river it offers nice panoramatic view on part of Prague.

Vysehrad is another of the Czech Republics fine castles (sometimes referred to as ‘Prague's second castle’), it was built in the 10th century, on a hill over the Vltava River. Today Vyšehrad is more of pleasant walled park, especially popular with local families on the weekends, then the forbidding fortress it once was. Situated within the castle is the Cathedral of Saint Paul and Peter, as well as the Vysehrad cemetery, containing the remains of many famous people from Czech history.

Vysehrad and the area around it became part of the capital city, Prague, in 1883. The area is one of the cadastral districts of the city.

The centrepiece is the Church of St. Peter and Paul whose blackened shape stands grandly upon the hill over looking the Vltava river and can be clearly seen from the Prague castle. Every inch of the interior is immaculately covered with decorations much like those on the pages of an illustrated manuscript, thus making one of the most beautiful interiors in Prague. A small fee is required for this viewing pleasure.

Vysehrad being the birthplace of Prague (it was the site of the original castle around the 10thcentury) it is appropriate that its great artists, scribes, musicians and politicians lie buried in the cemetery adjacent to the church. Most notable are the graves of Dvorak, Smetana, Alpons Mucha and many others whose tombs lie between a vast expenditure of elaborate gravestones, mosaics and flower beds. See on the back wall for a map of the place.

The gardens surrounding the Vysehrad church are peaceful and manicured for beauty. There are some nice views of the Vltava, a couple of restaurants to visit and some enormous statues depicting figures in Czech Mythology to examine. Any time of day is a good time to visit. Take a morning off and bring a picnic lunch, few areas of Prague are as quiet, green and peaceful.

The Rotunda of St. Martin dating from the 11th century can be viewed a short distance from the church towards Vysehrad Metro station. It is one of the original Rotundas of the city. More information about Vysehrad can be found on official website praha-vysehrad.cz

How to get to Vyšehrad?
It is easily and quickly reachable from the centre by metro line 'C' to station 'Vyšehrad' (two stations from the National Museum). From there it’s about 10 minutes to walk to main Vyšehrad's gate.

PERMANENT EXHIBITIONS (open daily 9" am-6 pm)
Vyšehrad as Part of the History of Prague's Fortifications (wheelchair accessible) - the entrance is from the Brick (Prague) Gate, giving access to Gorlice (wheelchair accessible, assistance recommended - uneven terrain) underground hall and the casemates, with six original Baroque statues from the Charles Bridge

The Historic Faces of Vyšehrad - in the newly restored Gothic Cellar, (wheelchair accessible), entrance from the Old Burgrave's Residence

SPICKA INFORMATION CENTER (V Pevnosti St.)
Information center in the Gothic Gate, from the time of Charles IV, located between the Tábor and Leopold's Gates; information, souvenirs, publications on Vyšehrad, promotional materials, refreshments, restrooms

VYŠEHRAD GALLERY - displayed art depands on the time (this is not permanent one)

VYŠEHRAD CEMETERY AND PANTHEON (Sts. Peter and Paul's Basilica is wheelchair accessible) Open daily 8 am-6 pm. The burial site where over 600 prominent figures of Czech culture are buried, including: A. Dvot6k, K. Čapek, B. Němcová, K. H. Mácha, J. Neruda, A. Mucha, M. Aleš, E. Destinnová, J. Heyrovský, B. Smetana, Z. Štěpánek

The fortress was originally built in the tenth century. Local legend holds that Vysehrad was the location of the first settlement which would later become Prague, though thus far the claim is unsubstantiated. Ancient legends situate the original seat of the Czech princes - the legendary Princess Libuše and the first Przemyslides - on this hill. In fact, however, this fort had not been founded until Prague Castle was already in existence, since it dates from about the mid-10th century.

When the Premyslid dynasty settled on the current site of Prague Castle, the two castles maintained opposing spheres of influence for approximately two centuries. When Holy Roman Emperor Charles IV began to build the Prague Castle in its current dimensions (in the early 14th century), Vysehrad was abandoned as a royal home.

At the beginning of the Hussite Wars, it was captured by the Hussites.

It underwent a renovation in the 17th century, when the Habsburg Monarchy took over the Czech lands after the Thirty Years' War and became a training center for the Austrian Army. It was also incorporated into the Baroque era city walls around Prague.