Vyšehrad is surrounded by legends and myths that date back to the beginnings of Czech statehood. According to legends, the mythical princess Libuše resided here, who predicted the glory of Prague. Also popular is the legend of Horymír and his horse Šemík. Horymír, condemned to death by Křesomysl, expressed his last wish to ride with his horse Šemík. The horse with Horymír in the saddle then jumped over the Vyšehrad walls, swam across the Vltava River, and escaped to the Neumětely.
The history of Vyšehrad is closely linked to the development of Prague's cities and the history of the Czech nation. The massive rock towering high above the Vltava River attracted settlement since ancient times and became the subject of many legends. The first reliable evidence of the existence of the Vyšehrad fortress dates back to the mid-10th century when denarii of Prince Boleslav II were minted here. Since then, Vyšehrad has changed its function and appearance several times.
It was a royal castle, briefly even a royal residence. It became a town and later a Baroque fortress, whose appearance it has retained to this day. By the end of the 19th century, it gained the role of a national symbol and the burial place of Czech greats.
The most famous period of Vyšehrad is associated with the reign of the first crowned Czech king, Vratislav II. He chose Vyšehrad as his residence and therefore rebuilt it in a monumental spirit. He founded the royal acropolis and the royal chapter with the Church of St. Peter and Paul, which became the main Vyšehrad church.
Today, this magical place is very popular among local and foreign tourists. The local circuits offer visitors a tour of the entire system of Vyšehrad casemates. They were built together with the fortifications between 1653 and 1678. They used to serve for the unnoticed transfer of military garrisons, but also as storage and accommodation spaces. The Vyšehrad casemates are divided into four separate sections and have a total length of almost 1,000 m.
Be sure not to miss the tour of the cemetery, which is the final resting place of many significant figures of Czech culture, science, and politics. The cemetery also houses Slavín, a magnificent tomb where some of the greatest figures in Czech history are buried. Walking through this cemetery is a journey through Czech history and culture. Enhance your trip with a peaceful romantic picnic in the beautiful parks and gardens here.
You can find ticket prices for individual sections and opening hours, for example, at: vprazejakodoma.cz/mista/vysehrad/
