The Powder Gate

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ammunition • gate • gothic • gunpowder • munitions • powder • powder tower • tower • tourist attraction • landmark  add tags

Description

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Powder Gate (Czech: Prašná brána) is a gothic gate in Prague, Czech Republic. It is one of the symbols of Prague, leading into the Old Town.

Dating from 1475, the Powder Gate was built as one of 13 gates to the city of Prague. At the time construction began, it was connected (via the small bridge at the right of the photo) to the royal palace. Before construction was completed, however, King Vladislav Jagellonský moved his residence to Prague Castle in 1485. However, the Powder Gate remained important to the Bohemian kings - from that time until 1836, the Bohemian monarchs would pass through the Powder Gate on their way to St. Vitus Cathedral to be crowned.

As the city grew beyond its old walls, however, the Powder Gate grew less and less important (except on those rare occasions when a monarch was being crowned). By the 17th century, it was being used as a gunpowder storage facility - it was at this time that it developed its name. Unfortunately, the Gate was severely damaged in 1757 when Prague was occupied by the Prussians. But, the Gate was eventually restored to its former glory in the 1870s and 1880s.

The Powder Gate was designed by master builder Matěj Rejsek to follow the design used by Peter Parler for the Old Town Bridge Tower at the base of Charles Bridge. It is now one of the few remnants of the fortifications that once surrounded the city.