While discovering Prague make sure you don’t forget to take a relaxing walk in Vyšehrad. Mysterious and steeped in legends, Vyšehrad is a gem that’s played a significant part in the history of the capital and the whole country. Soak up the unique atmosphere of the historic fort and the surrounding park. Vyšehrad is perched on top of a rock towering from the Vltava River banks. Therefore, it boasts, in addition to its historic and spiritual value, incredible panoramic views of the city.
Vyšehrad – a place steeped in legends
Alois Jirásek, one of the most significant Czech writers of all time, studied old chronicles tracing the history of this breathtaking place. In his Ancient Bohemian Legends (Staré pověsti české), Jirásek narrates about Libuše, a legendary princess, who is said to have foreseen the glorious future of Prague from her residence in Vyšehrad. Other characters that appear in his masterpiece are Bivoj, a legendary strongman who is said to have been able to catch a wild boar with his bare hands and bring it to Libuše on his shoulders, or Šemík – a legendary horse that is said to have jumped from the Vyšehrad rock all the way down to the Vltava. Jirásek also mentions legends related to other places such as Divoká Šárka.
The seat of the king
Vyšehrad was built in the 10th century during the rule of the Přemyslid dynasty. Constructed to serve as a fort, Vyšehrad became the seat of the first Czech king Vratislav (Vratislaus) I, who also had St. Peter and Paul’s Basilica built here. St. Martin’s Rotunda, the oldest rotunda in Prague, also comes from this period. With a diameter of 6.5 metres it is also the largest rotunda in Prague. What is also impressive is that its walls are one meter thick. The place was also popular with Charles IV, who decided, out of respect for his Přemyslid predecessors, to renew its significance.
Worth the mention is also a cemetery situated in Vyšehrad. Founded in 1260, the cemetery is the final resting place of over 600 outstanding artists and writers, who played a significant part in the history of Czech culture.