Prague

Prague’s rich cultural legacy owes much to Holy Roman Emperor Charles IV (1316-1378), one of the most famous Czech Kings and a generous patron of science and the arts. Seven hundred years after his birth, Four Seasons Hotel Prague commemorates that heritage with a walking tour that will give you a closer, more detailed look at the influence of Charles IV on the city. Our Concierge will arrange the tour for you, customising it based on your interests. Priced at EUR 42 per hour, the tour can include any of the following sites:

House at Stupart’s: Birthplace of Charles IV

Charles IV lived here upon his return from France in 1333. At that time, Prague was uninhabitable and deserted. The house was owned by his father, Jan of Luxembourg.

Prague Castle

A UNESCO World Heritage site, Prague Castle consists of a large-scale composition of palaces and ecclesiastical buildings of various architectural styles, from the remains of Romanesque-style buildings from the 10th century through Gothic modifications of the 14th century requested by Charles IV.

St. Vitus Cathedral

To some, St. Vitus Cathedral is the highlight of Prague Castle. While the Prague Castle complex houses many buildings, St. Vitus is the one that dominates the skyline wherever one is in the city. Vitus Cathedral is a Gothic masterpiece, and the spiritual symbol of the Czech state. The cathedral was commissioned by Charles IV, and construction began in 1344 on the site of an earlier 10th century rotunda. In addition to being the largest and most important temple in Prague, St. Vitus Cathedral has also overseen the coronation of Czech kings and queens.

Crown Jewels

Czech crown jewels include the Crown of Saint Wenceslas, the royal orb and scepter, the coronation vestments of the Kings of Bohemia, the gold reliquary cross and St. Wenceslas’ sword. They were originally held in Prague and Karlstejn Castle. Since 1791 they have been stored in St. Vitus Cathedral at Prague Castle. The crown was made for the coronation of Charles IV in 1347, making it the fourth oldest in Europe.

New Town of Prague

The carefully planned New Town was founded by Charles IV in 1348. Twice as large as the Old Town, it was mainly inhabited by tradesmen and craftsmen. During the late 19th century its outer fortifications were demolished and redeveloped to its present appearance.

Charles Bridge

Four Seasons Hotel Prague is located next to the Charles Bridge, a famous historic bridge that crosses the Vltava River in Prague. Its construction started in 1357 under the auspices of King Charles IV, and finished in the beginning of the 15th century.

Charles University

Charles University in Prague is the oldest and largest university in the Czech Republic. Founded in 1348, it was the first university in Central Europe, east of France and north of Italy. Our Concierge recommends visiting Klementinum, the historic complex with stunning baroque library hall, located in Old Town, only a 5-minute walk from the Hotel.

The Hunger Wall

The Hunger Wall is a medieval defensive wall of the Lesser Town of Prague. It was built on Petrin Hill between 1360 and 1362 by order of Charles IV. According to myth, the purpose of the wall was not strategic but to employ and thus feed the poor. Another myth is that Charles IV himself worked on the wall several hours every day “to help his beloved people.”

Karlstejn Castle

Located about 30 kilometres (19 miles) southwest of Prague, Karlstejn Castle is a large Gothic castle founded in 1348 by Charles IV. Above the village of the same name, it is one of the most famous and most frequently visited castles in the Czech Republic.