
Golden Lane, Prague
One of Prague Castle's most fascinating areas is, undoubtedly, Golden Lane, where you will find a collection of tiny houses, all brightly painted. There were once 24, built up against the castle's northern fortification in the 16th century. At first, they housed Rudolf II's marksmen and legend has it that he ordered them not to build houses that exceeded the wall's arches. Besides being small, they also were rather poorly made out of stone, mud, and wood and had to be regularly restored.
When the marksmen were moved to new lodgings, the tiny houses were given to various palace workers, including goldsmiths (which is where the name Golden Lane derived from); however, the most famous resident was the one and only Franz Kafka, who stayed at number 22 with his sister Ottla for a short time (a memorial plaque has been fixed to the wall).
The tiny houses were occupied until World War II, but already during the period of the First Republic, care was taken to ensure that the picturesque character of the Lane was not changed in the course of modifications. The eleven remaining houses have been restored, repainted and are now used to exhibit medieval armor, weapons and textiles, or have become souvenir shops and snack bars. The Lane ends at the prison-tower called Daliborka – a little gory in parts, with examples of torture instruments which are hideous (but part of history after all).
Why You Should Visit:
To see the last remainder of Prague Castle's small-scale architecture. No golden pavement, unfortunately, but plenty of cobblestones, colorful facades, a few small windows, and interesting histories.
Tip:
Buying a ticket will grant access to other parts of the complex, including the Prague Castle. If you'd rather not pay the ticket, you may still walk through the street after 5pm, although most houses and shops are closed by that time.
Opening Hours (paid entrance):
Daily: 9am–5pm (Apr–Oct); 9am–4pm (Nov–Mar)
When the marksmen were moved to new lodgings, the tiny houses were given to various palace workers, including goldsmiths (which is where the name Golden Lane derived from); however, the most famous resident was the one and only Franz Kafka, who stayed at number 22 with his sister Ottla for a short time (a memorial plaque has been fixed to the wall).
The tiny houses were occupied until World War II, but already during the period of the First Republic, care was taken to ensure that the picturesque character of the Lane was not changed in the course of modifications. The eleven remaining houses have been restored, repainted and are now used to exhibit medieval armor, weapons and textiles, or have become souvenir shops and snack bars. The Lane ends at the prison-tower called Daliborka – a little gory in parts, with examples of torture instruments which are hideous (but part of history after all).
Why You Should Visit:
To see the last remainder of Prague Castle's small-scale architecture. No golden pavement, unfortunately, but plenty of cobblestones, colorful facades, a few small windows, and interesting histories.
Tip:
Buying a ticket will grant access to other parts of the complex, including the Prague Castle. If you'd rather not pay the ticket, you may still walk through the street after 5pm, although most houses and shops are closed by that time.
Opening Hours (paid entrance):
Daily: 9am–5pm (Apr–Oct); 9am–4pm (Nov–Mar)
Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Prague. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "GPSmyCity: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from iTunes App Store or Google Play. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.
Golden Lane on Map
Sight Name: Golden Lane
Sight Location: Prague, Czech Republic (See walking tours in Prague)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: Prague, Czech Republic (See walking tours in Prague)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in Prague, Czech Republic
Create Your Own Walk in Prague
Creating your own self-guided walk in Prague is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Old Town Walking Tour
The Old Town (Czech: Staré Město) is a medieval settlement of Prague, once separated from the outside by a semi-circular moat and wall, hugged by the Vltava river. The moat is now covered up by streets, which remain the official boundary of the cadastral district of Old Town. Notable places within the Old Town include Old Town Square, Astronomical Clock, Kinsky Palace and more. Take this... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.8 Km or 1.7 Miles
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.8 Km or 1.7 Miles
Old Town Souvenir Shopping
It would be a pity to leave Prague without having explored its specialty shops and bringing home something truly original. We've compiled a list of gifts and souvenirs, which are unique to Prague, that a visitor might like to purchase to reflect their visit.
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.1 Km or 1.3 Miles
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.1 Km or 1.3 Miles
Lesser Town Walking Tour
Malá Strana ("Lesser Town") is a district of Prague, one of the most historically significant in the Czech capital. Back in the Middle Ages, it was predominantly populated by ethnic Germans and, in later years, largely retained its Germanic vibe despite prevalence of the Baroque style in architecture.
The most prominent landmark of Malá Strana is the Wallenstein Palace. There are... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.6 Km or 2.2 Miles
The most prominent landmark of Malá Strana is the Wallenstein Palace. There are... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.6 Km or 2.2 Miles
New Town Walking Tour
The youngest (established 1348) and the largest (three times the size of the Old Town), the New Town (Nove Mesto) of Prague is one of the five originally independent townships that today form the historic center of the Czech capital. Steeped in history, the district is traditionally dense with tourists.
Among the attractions found here there are Dancing House (named so for resembling a pair of... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.1 Km or 1.9 Miles
Among the attractions found here there are Dancing House (named so for resembling a pair of... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.1 Km or 1.9 Miles
Prague Introduction Walking Tour
Nicknamed “the City of a Hundred Spires,” Prague is home to a wealth of attractions, including more than ten major museums, numerous theatres, galleries, and plethora of historic sights.
The Czech name Praha derives from an old Slavic word práh, which means "ford" or "rapid", referring to the city's origin at a crossing point of the Vltava river. The legendary... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.2 Km or 2 Miles
The Czech name Praha derives from an old Slavic word práh, which means "ford" or "rapid", referring to the city's origin at a crossing point of the Vltava river. The legendary... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.2 Km or 2 Miles
Jewish Quarter Walking Tour
Josefov, formerly the Jewish ghetto of Prague, is part of the city's Old Town (Staré Město). Steeped in history, it breathes Jewish culture. Some of the beautiful and historically important synagogues here are still acting, whereas others have been converted to art galleries and museums. This self-guided tour will help you find your way around and explore the most interesting sites of... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.1 Km or 0.7 Miles
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.1 Km or 0.7 Miles
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