Prague Guide
Prague
Hradčany
HRADČANY is wholly dominated by the city's omnipresent landmark, Prague Castle, or Pražský hrad, the vast hilltop complex that looks out over the city centre from the west bank of the River Vltava. Site of a Slav settlement in the seventh or eighth century AD, there's been a castle here since at least the late ninth century, and since then whoever has had control of the Hrad has exercized authority over the Czech Lands. It continues to serve as the seat of the president, and, being home to several museums and galleries, is open to the public.