Vyšehradské kasematy a výstava v Prachárně

About the museum

Vyšehrad, on a rock above the Vltava, is one of the oldest inhabited sites in Prague; finds document settlement already around 3800 BC. It entered history in the mid-10th century as the seat of the Přemyslids, and reached its greatest flowering under King Vratislav and later under Charles IV. It was later rebuilt as a military fortress, of which the casemates form part: a labyrinth of underground passages which together are over a kilometre long and divided into four separate sections.

The Gorlice casemates include the largest underground hall of historic Prague, which arose by accident through the fortification’s builder and served in turn as a food store and an underground factory. Today six original Baroque statues from the Charles Bridge stand in Gorlice. The Martinské kasematy lead to the forgotten Church of the Beheading of St John the Baptist (kostel Stětí sv. Jana Křtitele) with a lapidarium, and the Podolské kasematy recall the air-raid shelters of the Second World War and the Vyšehrad riders of the 1950s.

In the Vyšehrad Gardens stands the former Prachárna, which houses the exhibition Vzestupy a pády Vyšehradu (Rises and Falls of Vyšehrad). It presents archaeological finds from prehistory to the military fortress, a copy of the 11th-century Vyšehrad Codex, physical models of vanished buildings, and a replica of an 18th-century field gun. The tours and the exhibition are run by the contributory organisation Národní kulturní památka Vyšehrad, whose founder is the capital city of Prague.

Highlights

• Gorlice, the largest underground hall of historic Prague, with six statues from the Charles Bridge
• Martinské kasematy with the Church of the Beheading of St John the Baptist and a lapidarium
• Podolské kasematy with air-raid shelters and inscriptions by Vyšehrad riders
• Exhibition Vzestupy a pády Vyšehradu in the Prachárna with physical models
• Copy of the 11th-century Vyšehrad Codex

Permanent exhibitions

• Vzestupy a pády Vyšehradu – Exhibition in the former Prachárna presents archaeological finds, models of vanished buildings and the military past of Vyšehrad.
• Expozice v Cihelné bráně a Gorlice – Entrance exhibition on the building development of the Vyšehrad citadel, and the underground Gorlice hall with original statues from the Charles Bridge.

Operated by

Národní kulturní památka Vyšehrad, příspěvková organizace hlavního města Prahy

Admission & discounts

The prices given apply to the Casemates at Gorlice (CZK 330), whose ticket also includes the exhibition in the Prachárna on the day it is valid. Tickets bought online are cheaper (e.g. Gorlice CZK 295, CZK 150 and CZK 225). Children under 6 enter free.

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

The tour of the Gorlice Casemates is step-free; the Martinské and Podolské kasematy and the Prachárna building are not. The toilets at the information centre are step-free; personal belongings cannot be left before the tour.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Playground / play area

Educational programmes are prepared for schools (for example Turnaj krále Karla, the Tournament of King Charles, and Staré pověsti české, Old Czech Legends). In the Vyšehrad Gardens there is a children’s playground with a theme from Czech legends, and fairy tales are performed for children at Purkrabství.

Getting there & parking

Tours of the Gorlice Casemates start at the Cihelná gate (V Pevnosti 46/1); other tours start at the information centre at the Leopold Gate.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Museum shop
• Coat check: not available
• Lockers: not available

The information centre sells tickets and souvenirs; the café U Vratislava on Mýtný plácek offers light refreshments. Toilets cost CZK 20.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Private parties
• Corporate events
• Weddings / ceremonies

Available for hire: the chamber hall of Purkrabství, the Letní scéna (Summer Stage), Gorlice and the administrative building, for wedding ceremonies and company events.

Plan your visit