The Powder Tower

The Powder Tower of Prague

The Prague audio-guided tour has you discover the Powder Tower, dark and austere, which contrasts with the flamboyant Municipal House next door. If their aesthetics differ, their heritage value is equal: the tower is one of the last vestiges of the city's old fortifications.

A gate of the medieval city

In the fourteenth century, as Prague prospered thanks to trade and craftsmanship, King Charles IV nurtured great ambitions for his city, which he wanted to extend and make shine. The tower was erected as one of the monumental gates marking the entrance to the Old Town. Later, it served to store gunpowder, which earned it its name of Powder Tower.

What there is to see

Of Gothic style, the tower is richly adorned with sculptures and finely worked details on its dark stone. You can climb its steps up to a gallery that offers a fine view over the roofs of Prague and the Municipal House. Marking the start of the Royal Route towards the castle, it is a major landmark of the history and the urban planning of the capital.

Practical information

The Powder Tower stands on Republic Square, next to the Municipal House, in the heart of Prague. The façade can be contemplated freely from the square; the climb of the tower follows its own schedule, with a charge, whose opening times may vary with the season.

Why is it called the Powder Tower?

Because it later served to store gunpowder; originally, it was one of the monumental gates of the Old Town.

What does the Powder Tower mark?

The start of the Royal Route, the former coronation route leading up to Prague Castle.