Vyšehrad

The rock above the Vltava where, according to legend, Prague began — and the quietest of the city's great sights.

Czech legend makes Vyšehrad the seat of Princess Libuše, who foresaw a great city whose glory would touch the stars. Historically, a fortified settlement stood here from the tenth century, and in the eleventh King Vratislav II made it his residence. Later it became a Baroque fortress, and the brick ramparts you walk today date largely from that time.

Within the walls are the Neo-Gothic Basilica of Sts. Peter and Paul, whose twin spires are a landmark from the river; the small Romanesque Rotunda of St. Martin, one of the oldest buildings in Prague; and the Vyšehrad Cemetery, where Antonín Dvořák, Bedřich Smetana, Alfons Mucha and Karel Čapek are buried, many of them in the shared Slavín tomb. The casemates inside the walls hold some of the original statues from Charles Bridge.

The grounds are free. Come for the view up the river towards Prague Castle, especially at sunset. The metro station Vyšehrad on line C is a ten-minute walk away; you can also climb up from the riverbank.