Prague Castle Towers — Great South Tower, Daliborka, White Tower & More

Prague Castle’s towers are some of its most distinctive features — and each has a different character. The Great South Tower of St. Vitus Cathedral is nearly 100 metres high and offers the best panoramic views in Prague. The Daliborka Tower at the end of Golden Lane was a medieval prison with a compelling legend. The White Tower at Golden Lane’s western end held noble prisoners. The Powder Tower (Mihulka) houses a Castle Guard exhibition. This guide covers all four visitor-accessible towers with what to see in each and how to visit.

Overview: The Castle Towers

Note: Towers are not accessible to wheelchair users — all involve narrow spiral staircases.

Great South Tower of St. Vitus Cathedral

The Great South Tower is attached to the south side of St. Vitus Cathedral and is visible from much of Prague. Construction began at the end of the 14th century under architect Peter Parler and was not completed until the Neo-Gothic restoration of the late 19th century.

What you see from the top: The gallery at approximately 96 metres offers 360-degree views — Prague Castle complex below and around you, the red rooftops of Malá Strana descending to the Vltava, Charles Bridge, the Old Town skyline, Petřín Tower on the south-west hill, and on a clear day the outer suburbs extending to the horizon.

The bells: During the climb, you pass seven bells housed in the tower. The largest — the Sigismund Bell (Zikmund) — dates from 1549 and weighs approximately 16.5 tonnes. It is the largest bell in the Czech Republic and is rung only on significant occasions: Christmas, Easter, and major national events.

Practical details: – Ticket: 200 CZK adult / 150 CZK reduced / 500 CZK family – Opens: 10:00am (summer and winter — opens one hour after the main buildings) – Closes: Summer 6:00pm (last entry 5:30pm) / Winter 5:00pm (last entry 4:30pm) – Location: Small door on the south side of the cathedral in the Third Courtyard – Accessibility: Not wheelchair accessible. Steep, narrow spiral staircase. – Note: Tower tickets cannot be purchased at the tower itself — buy at the castle ticket offices

Daliborka Tower

Daliborka is a round artillery tower originally built as part of the Jagellonian fortifications along the castle’s northern wall. Within years of its construction it was repurposed as a prison for those who could not afford bail or pay fines — or who had simply fallen out of favour with the powerful.

The legend of Dalibor: Dalibor of Kozojedy was imprisoned in 1498 for sheltering serfs who had rebelled against a neighbouring lord. According to Czech folklore, he learned to play the violin during his confinement, and his music became famous enough to attract listeners who gathered beneath the tower. He was executed in 1498. The legend inspired Bedřich Smetana’s 1868 opera Dalibor, one of the great works of Czech national music.

What to see inside: – The dungeon with its monumental vaulted ceilings – The circular floor opening (the oubliette) through which prisoners were lowered by pulley – Period displays of prison instruments – Views from the upper storeys over the Deer Moat and the castle’s northern walls

Practical details: – Ticket: Included in the Main Circuit (450 CZK adult) – Location: Eastern end of Golden Lane – Opening hours: Same as Golden Lane (9am–5pm summer / 9am–4pm winter) – Accessibility: Not wheelchair accessible

Daliborka is included in the Main Circuit ticket alongside St. Vitus Cathedral, the Old Royal Palace, St. George’s Basilica, and all of Golden Lane.

White Tower (Bílá věž)

The White Tower is older than Daliborka and was part of the castle’s western fortifications. Unlike the Daliborka prison (for those of lower status), the White Tower housed noble prisoners who could be kept in relative comfort.

Notable prisoner: Count František Antonín Sporck, a wealthy arts patron, was one of the most famous prisoners held here.

The alchemist’s room display: The ground floor contains a reconstruction of an alchemist’s laboratory — an atmospheric display connecting to the legends of Rudolf II’s court and its scientific enthusiasms. Note: despite the display, actual alchemists never lived in Golden Lane itself.

Practical details: – Ticket: Included in the Main Circuit – Location: Western end of Golden Lane (accessible from the lane or from the upper fortification corridor) – Accessibility: Not wheelchair accessible

Powder Tower (Mihulka)

The Powder Tower is a large round tower at the north-west corner of the castle’s fortifications, built in the late 15th century. It takes its name from its later use as a gunpowder store. The tower is a fine example of late-Gothic military architecture designed by Benedikt Ried.

The Castle Guard Exhibition inside covers the history of the guards who have protected Prague Castle from the 9th century to the present, including the ceremonial uniforms designed by Oscar-winning designer Theodor Pištěk for the post-1989 period.

Practical details: – Ticket: Included in the Permanent Exhibitions (300 CZK adult) – Location: North-west corner of the castle, near the northern entrance – Accessibility: Not wheelchair accessible

Which Tower Should You Climb?

For panoramic views of Prague: the Great South Tower is the clear choice — nearly 100 metres high, 360-degree views, the best viewpoint at the castle. The extra 200 CZK is worth it for anyone who enjoys elevated perspectives.

For history and atmosphere: Daliborka Tower, included in the Main Circuit. The oubliette and the Dalibor legend make it one of the more atmospheric spots on the Golden Lane circuit.

For architecture enthusiasts: the Powder Tower (Mihulka) is the finest example of late-Gothic military architecture at the castle, worth seeing even without the exhibition for its form alone.