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Powder Gate Tower (Prašná brána)

This monumental entrance by which the coronation processions of Czech kings entered the Old Town is one of the most significant monuments of Late Gothic Prague. Completed in 1475, the Powder Gate Tower, which formerly served as a gunpowder store, is still the starting point for the Coronation or Royal Route to Prague Castle. The viewing gallery is located at a height of 44 m.

  • Monuments & Architecture
  • tower
  • Gothic
  • views
  • Prague Visitor Pass

Opening hours

    • January – March
    • Whole week
    • 10.00 – 18.00
    • April – May
    • Whole week
    • 10.00 – 19.00
    • June – September
    • Whole week
    • 09.00 – 20.30
    • October – November
    • Whole week
    • 10.00 – 18.00
    • December
    • Whole week
    • 10.00 – 19.30

From March 27, 2024 we will be open from 10:00 to 19:00.

Entrance fee

  • basic 190 CZK
  • reduced 130 CZK
  • family 380 CZK

Practical information

Early Bird Discount initiative: 50% off the admission fee every day during the first hour after opening

Lítačka card holder: CZK 170

Combi-ticket: Powder Gate Tower + The New Mill Water Tower

  • adults: CZK 250
  • reduced: CZK 170
  • family: CZK 520

Multi-ticket "9 objects in 365 days"

  • adults: CZK 990
  • reduced: CZK 690

10% discount on admission when buying an eTicket online

Free admission for children under 5. The reduced admission fee is intended for children aged 6-15, students under 26, seniors over 65, and holders of disability identification card ZTP. The family ticket is valid for 2 adults and up to 4 children.

Visitor rules – download HERE

TipGet a discount of CZK 50 on the historical tram line 42 ticket when you present your ticket from one of the towers managed by Prague City Tourism a.s. (valid only on the day of your visit; does not apply to group school tickets, tickets from lecture programs and special PCT events). The discount applies only to tickets purchased directly in the historical tram line 42 (in operation Sat, Sun and holidays 10:00-18:00). Card payment only. The discount also applies to each person under a family ticket.

You can also get a 20% discount on entry to one of the towers managed by Prague City Tourism a.s. on the day of your ride when you present your historical tram line 42 ticket (does not apply to Multi-ticket "9 objects in 365 days").

Exclusive experiences
Would you like a private tower tour with a glass of champagne, an after-hours visit or a glimpse of places not included in the regular tour? We offer exclusive experiences at selected hotels. Ask your concierge what we can do for you.
This offer is valid for guests at the following hotels:
*****Andaz AugustineAriaCorinthiaCPI Hotels Falkensteiner Hotel MariaFour SeasonsGolden WellMandarin Oriental The EmblemThe MozartVienna House Diplomat

The building is not barrier-free.

Show practical information

Contacts

  • Powder Gate Tower (Prašná brána)
  • Na Příkopě / náměstí Republiky 5
  • 110 00 Praha 1 – Staré Město
  • +420221714714

Object history

The Powder Gate Tower is one of the most expressive monuments of late-Gothic Prague, and was built in place of the dilapidated original gate named Horská Gate (based on Kutná Hora town) called Ragged, which dated back to the 1st half of the 13th century. The Powder Gate Tower brought into the town one of the main roads coming from Eastern Bohemia, namely from Kutná Hora.

 

This was also the place where the coronation processions of Bohemian kings would enter the town. The Powder Gate Tower thus marks the start of the Coronation or Royal Path to Prague Castle.

 

The foundation stone was laid in 1475; the construction was conducted by builder Václav, and later from 1478 on by Matěj Rejsek, who partly also provided the rich sculptural decorations. The tower was founded on the bottom of a fortification moat, approximately 9 m below today’s terrain. Later on, the moat was filled up, and its significance was lost, and therefore the bridge leading to the passage also disappeared. From 1488 on, the gate remained unfinished, probably due to the fact that the royal residence moved from the Old Town back to the Castle. Further construction works were only started in 1592 in an era of mayor Krocín of Drahobejl, when the new entrance was built together with the spiral staircase (still used today). Before that, entrance was only possible via a gallery of the Royal Court (Královský dvůr). Today’s name Powder Gate Tower (originally a New Tower) has been used since the beginning of the 18th century, when the tower was used as a gun-powder storage place.

 

In 1757, all the plastic decorations were damaged by Prussian shooting, and they were removed in 1817. In 1823, a clock was installed in the tower, and later removed. Today’s appearance dates back to the years 1875 - 1886, when the Powder Gate Tower was restored and completed in pseudo-Gothic style by architect Josef Mocker, in cooperation with significant Bohemian sculptors, such as Bohuslav Schnirch and Ludvík Šimek. The first floor was vaulted by the builder via a stellar vault, the second floor then via a net vault. The passage way has a net vault, and the gate is concluded by a gallery and a chisel roof. The first floor is decorated by the statues of Jiří of Poděbrady and Vladislav II on the side of Celetná Street, and by Přemysl Otakar II and Charles IV on the other side. The statues of the kings are surrounded by coats of arms of territories in which they ruled. In the corners, there are allegories of the rulers’ virtues. Above the statues of the rulers, there are angels with wings, and there is a lion with the emblem of the Old Town of Prague on the four corner posts. Statues of Bohemian patrons and saints are located at the level of the second floor, with Christ in their middle on the Eastern side, and Virgin Mary with a child on the Western side. The front leading towards Celetná Street holds the statues of Adam and Eve, and the opposite front holds the statues of St. Peter and Paul. There are emblems of Bohemian royal towns by the battlement. There is a bust of a knight above the Eastern passage way with a band with a Latin inscription meaning: Behold! Prague. For the honest I am a mother, to the deceivers I am a step-mother; let those flee away, and may those who want good come. On the Western side, there is Matěj Rejsek’s bust, holding a band with the following plea in Latin: Dear citizen, forbear the unworthy people living without laws from harming me, a fine receptacle. On the side neighbouring with the Municipal house, there are remains of Gothic plastic decorations depicting slightly scandalous scenes. On the side heading away from the Municipal house, there is a special bay, which used to serve the purpose of a toilet. Slate roof with four corner spires, each 6 m high, is covered with different inscriptions of the visitors by the gallery; the oldest date back to the years 1821 and 1844.

 

General reconstruction took place in the years 1961 - 1963; partial reconstructions of the sculptural decorations in 1992.


The Powder Gate Tower is 65 m high, the observation gallery is 44 metres above ground, the spiral staircase is made of 186 stone steps.

 

 

Show history

Information source: Prague City Tourism