monument in Prague

Powder Tower Prague

Also known as Prašná brána

The Powder Tower was built in 1475 as a ceremonial gate for royal processions leaving Prague's Old Town toward the Castle, not primarily as a fortification. It was never finished: King Vladislav II abandoned Prague for Buda in 1483, construction stopped, and the tower stood unfinished for four centuries.

The Powder Tower marks the eastern entrance to Prague’s Old Town and the start of the Royal Route to Prague Castle. Built in 1475 as a ceremonial gate, never fully finished, used for gunpowder storage in the 17th century, then restored in Neo-Gothic style in the 1870s. The current dramatic silhouette dates to that restoration. It stands adjacent to the Municipal House, Prague’s finest Art Nouveau building. Metro line B to Namesti Republiky; tower open daily from 10:00.

Type
monument
Destination
Prague
Cost
Paid entry
Founded
1475
Era
Gothic
Address
namesti Republiky 5, 110 00 Prague
Coordinates
50.0872, 14.4278
Official website
Visit website