Photographer's Note
The Powder Tower or Powder Gate (Prašná brána in Czech) is a 65 metres high late Gothic tower on the edge of Old Town on Náměstí republiky, right next to the Municipal House. It is one of Prague’s most important medieval monuments. Here is the beginning of the Royal Way which leads through the Old Town over the Charles Bridge, through the Lesser Town and up the hill to the Prague castle. The future kings of Bohemia used to enter the town through this gate when they were on their coronation parade. This parade went on the traditional Royal Way to the Prague Castle, where the coronation took place in the Saint Vitus Cathedral.
The Powder Tower is 65 metres high, and a 186-step spiral staircase leads up to the viewing platform 44 metres above the ground. The Powder Tower gate was erected on the bottom of a defensive moat that was nine metres below today’s street level and a bridge originally led up to the gateway.
Above the gateway, in the direction of Celetná Street, stands a statue of George of Poděbrady together with the Jagiellon monarch Vladislav II, who were kings of Bohemia during the relevant era. On the other side of the tower, in the direction of Náměstí Republiky, the building is adorned with statues of the great Czech monarchs Charles IV and Přemysl Otakar II. They are surrounded by symbols of countries, over which they reigned. In the level of the second floor, there are statues of Bohemian patrons and saints.
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Photo Information
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Copyright: Thiago Figueiredo (tjfigueiredo)
(169)
- Genre: Places
- Medium: Color
- Date Taken: 2010-08-19
- Categories: Architecture
- Camera: Sony Alpha 200, Sony 18-70 f:3.5-5.6, HOYA 55mm UV
- Exposure: f/13.0, 1/200 seconds
- More Photo Info: view
- Photo Version: Original Version
- Date Submitted: 2010-08-25 11:52