Prague+Castle

 The massive Prague Castle takes up 70,000 square meters of space in the great city of Prague. It was built in 870 under the reign of Vratislav and his son. Even though this magnificent place was made early on parts were destroyed and rebuilt over the years. The castle started out as a walled church and grew to be so an expansive city of it’s own. This was just a large church that was trying to keep itself safe in the dark times. This castle would change a little bit each time a new ruler took place. Sometimes they would repair the destroyed sections and others would add more splendid buildings to this now spacious complex.  In the 12th the castle was built in Romanesque style. After 200 years of this style the the king in that time, Charles IV decided he wanted a modern palace and changed the style to Gothic by tearing down huge parts of the castle and replacing them with his new techniques. Of course the defenses were upgraded when it was rebuilt so he could be protected. After Charles’ time passed, the castle eventually was abandoned for about 50 years. When the next leader took it back he would again rebuild parts of the castle to fit his taste in architecture. Then again in 1541 disaster struck and a good chunk of the castle burned down. This was a decent excuse to rebuild the castle in the newest style of architecture. As times changed and democracy grew the castle would the home the president of Czech Republic.  Prague Castle is still standing today. It has Gothic, Romanesque, Renaissance and many other styles. There are over six churches still inside of this massive expanse of buildings. This building is now a symbol of government and power in this country. When we see this it will be site that may stop all of us in our steps. This complex is a direct glance in the past that we all must see in this city. There is a legend that who ever is the usurper of the throne that places the Bohemian Crown on his head is doomed to die in less than a year. This was true to the Nazi leader Heydrich who was killed a year after by British-Czech soldiers. While in Prague this enormous castle complex one can admire the architectural masterpiece while trying to not get cursed.