Obelisk at Prague Castle — Attraction in Prague

The Obelisk at Prague Castle, also called the Mrákotín Monolith, is one of those monuments that’s easy to overlook but actually has a fascinating history. It stands right in the Third Courtyard, near St. Vitus Cathedral, and at first glance, it seems out of place among all the Gothic and Baroque architecture. But once I learned what it represents, I appreciated it so much more.

This 16-meter granite obelisk was originally meant to be even taller, but it broke during transportation from the quarry, so they had to adjust its size. Even so, it’s still massive and adds a very different architectural element to the castle grounds. It was placed here in 1928 as a memorial to the Czechoslovak legionnaires who fought for independence in World War I. Knowing that made it feel much more significant.

Designed by Jože Plečnik, the obelisk has that sleek, modernist look, which contrasts with everything around it. At first, it seemed a bit random in the middle of the courtyard, but once I thought about it in the context of Czech history, it made sense. It’s a symbol of the country’s fight for independence, and I liked that it’s a reminder of something more recent compared to the medieval history dominating the castle.

Overall, I think the Obelisk at Prague Castle is a great spot to stop and reflect. It’s simple but powerful, and the history behind it makes it worth paying attention to. If you’re visiting Prague Castle, take a moment to appreciate it—you’ll probably walk right past it without realizing just how much...

In May 1921, Tomáš Garrigue Masaryk decided to reveal a memorial plaque to the Czechoslovaks who fell in World War II at Prague Castle. However, the castle architect Josip Plečnik suggested to him that he would erect a granite column in the third courtyard. According to historical records, he justified his proposal by saying that stone expresses a thousand-year-old mass and that using a monolith the Czech granite acquires a resonant name. In addition, the columns of freedom were built by all the victorious world powers. The first monolith from the famous Mrákotín quarry in 1923 broke in the road accident and it was necessary to break the second monolith. It was successfully transported to Prague and was erected at the beginning of November 1928.

V květnu roku 1921 se Tomáš Garrigue Masaryk rozhodl odhalit na Pražském hradě pamětní desku Čechoslovákům, kteří padli ve světové válce. Hradní architekt Josip Plečnik mu však navrhl, aby na třetím nádvoří vztyčil žulový sloup. Podle dobových záznamů svůj návrh zdůvodňoval tím, že kámen vyjadřuje tisíciletou hmotu a že užitím monolitu nabude česká žula zvučného jména. Navíc sloupy svobody stavěly všechny vítězné mocnosti. První monolit vylomený ve slavném mrákotínském lomu v roce 1923 se při nehodě na cestě rozlomil a bylo nutné vylomit monolit druhý. Ten se zdárně povedlo do Prahy dopravit a začátkem listopadu 1928...

The obelisk at Prague Castle is a historical monument located in the Royal Garden within the Prague Castle complex. The Prague Castle Obelisk is a tribute to the Battle of Austerlitz, fought in 1805, which was one of the most significant victories for Napoleon Bonaparte during the Napoleonic Wars.

The obelisk was erected in 1836 to commemorate the victory and the diplomatic role played by the Czech aristocracy in the events surrounding the battle. The battle itself involved Napoleon’s French forces defeating the Russian and Austrian armies, and it had major political implications for Europe. While the monument is linked to Napoleon’s era, it does not glorify the Napoleonic regime directly but rather serves as a reflection of the political events of the time.

The obelisk is a notable historical marker within the Prague Castle grounds, adding to the complex’s rich tapestry of history that...