Grand Priory Palace, Prague

Grand Priory Palace, Prague

Situated just a hop, skip, and a jump south and a tad west of the Charles Bridge, Velkopřevorské Square is graced by the presence of the Grand Prior's Palace, hailed as one of the crème de la crème baroque structures in the area. While it's now under the stewardship of the Embassy of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta—yes, the modern-day descendants of the valiant Knights of Malta—sadly, it remains off-limits to us common folk. However, you'll discover a cozy café and a restaurant, where you can dine amid opulent Baroque vaults that harken back to a bygone era. Keep an eye out for pockets of early Baroque or Renaissance vaulting preserved in certain corners, adding a dash of historical charm to the ambiance.

Nestled near the palace's outer walls stands the venerable Beethoven sycamore, a living testament to Prague's storied past. Legend has it that the musical maestro Ludwig van Beethoven once sought solace under its leafy canopy during his sojourn to Prague in 1796.

Across the way, the eye-catching orange-and-white stucco façade of the Buquoy Palace catches the eye, a dazzling display of architectural prowess dating back to 1719, courtesy of Giovanni Santini. Today, it plays host to the French Embassy.

And who could forget the nearby John Lennon Peace Wall, a veritable shrine to youthful rebellion and artistic expression? Once a bastion of political dissent adorned with striking slogans and a larger-than-life likeness of the iconic Beatle, the wall bore the brunt of countless whitewashing efforts by the powers-that-be during the communist regime. Nowadays, while Lennon's serene visage may be hidden beneath layers of ever-changing graffiti, the spirit of freedom and creativity continues to flourish, making it a must-see destination for modern-day pilgrims of peace and harmony.

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 Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.

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Grand Priory Palace on Map

Sight Name: Grand Priory Palace
Sight Location: Prague, Czech Republic (See walking tours in Prague)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark

Walking Tours in Prague, Czech Republic

Create Your Own Walk in Prague

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.
Jewish Quarter Walking Tour

Jewish Quarter Walking Tour

The Jewish Quarter, also known as Josefov, is a part of the Old Town (Staré Město) of Prague.

The area breathes history and is a captivating blend of ancient synagogues and other monuments that collectively reflect centuries of Jewish life in the city. Some synagogues are still acting, and others have been converted into art galleries and museums.

One such is the Spanish Synagogue, a...  view more

Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.1 Km or 0.7 Miles
Prague Introduction Walking Tour

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
New Town Walking Tour

New Town Walking Tour

The youngest (founded in 1348) and the largest (three times the size of the Old Town), the New Town (or Nove Mesto) of Prague is one of the five originally independent townships that today form the historic center of the Czech capital. This vibrant district offers a mix of historical charm and modern amenities and is traditionally dense with tourists.

At its heart lies Wenceslas Square, a...  view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.1 Km or 1.9 Miles
Hradcany (Castle District) Walking Tour

Hradcany (Castle District) Walking Tour

Hradcany, or the Castle District, is a historical neighborhood in Prague brimming with cultural landmarks and architectural marvels.

The area is centered around Prague Castle, reportedly the biggest castle complex in the world. Dating back as far as the 9th century, the castle has been the residence of Bohemian kings, Holy Roman emperors, leaders of socialist Czechoslovakia, and currently the...  view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.0 Km or 1.9 Miles
Lesser Town Walking Tour

Lesser Town Walking Tour

Mala Strana (or "Lesser Town") is a district in Prague situated on the left bank of the Vltava River. Renowned for its architectural beauty, this is one of the capital's most historically significant neighborhoods. Back in the Middle Ages, it was predominantly populated by ethnic Germans and, in later years, despite the prevalence of Baroque in its architecture, largely retained its...  view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.6 Km or 2.2 Miles
Old Town Walking Tour

Old Town Walking Tour

The Staré Město (Old Town) of Prague is a former medieval settlement that is now a lively cobblestoned hub with landmark attractions.

The area was once separated from the outside world by a semi-circular moat and a wall, hugged by the Vltava river. The moat is now covered up by streets, which form the official boundary of the Old Town. One of them, called Na Příkopě (literally “On the...  view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.8 Km or 1.7 Miles

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