Powder Tower, Prague

The Powder Tower or Powder Gate (Czech: Prašná brána) is a Gothic tower in Prague, Czech Republic. It is one of the original city gates. It separates the Old Town from the New Town. Powder Tower, as with many historical sites in Prague, undergoes periodic preservation and restoration. The most recent treatment began Summer 2024 and is scheduled to be completed in October. Jiří Pospíšil, Deputy Mayor for Culture and Tourism stated, ”It is our duty to take care of Prague’s heritage buildings, which are a symbol of Prague and the legacy of our ancestors… Now, in cooperation with Prague City Tourism, we are starting the repair of the Powder Tower, and I am very happy that the tower will have a literal new coat.”

1. History

The Powder Tower is one of the original 13 city gates in Old Town, Prague. Its construction began in 1475. The tower was intended to be an attractive entrance into the city, instead of a defensive tower. The foundation stone was placed by Vladislav II. The city council gave Vladislav II the tower as a coronation gift. While it was being built, it was called the New Tower. The look of the tower was inspired by the work of Peter Parler on the Charles Bridge. Vladislav II had to relocate due to riots, so the tower building stopped. He returned in 1485 to live back in Prague Castle, where he lived for the rest of his life, along with the rest of the Kings of Bohemia who lived in Prague. Kings would not return to use the tower or Royal Court until using it for coronation ceremonies starting again in 1836, where they would pass through the tower to go to St. Vitus Cathedral. Despite its name the Powder Tower was never used to store gunpowder. The gate suffered considerable damage during the Battle of Prague. The sculptures on the tower were replaced in 1876.

1. References

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Municipal House

Municipal House (Czech: Obecní dům) is a civic building that houses Smetana Hall, a celebrated concert venue, in Prague, Czech Republic. It is located on Náměstí Republiky next to the Powder Gate in the centre of the city.

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Czech National Bank

The Czech National Bank, (Czech: Česká národní banka, ČNB) is the central bank and financial market supervisor in the Czech Republic, headquartered in Prague. It is a member of the European System of Central Banks. It was established on 1 January 1993 from the division of the State Bank of Czechoslovakia as part of the process of dissolution of Czechoslovakia, together with the National Bank of Slovakia. In accordance with its primary objective, the CNB sets monetary policy, issues banknotes and coins and manages the circulation of the Czech koruna, the payment system and settlement between banks. It also performs supervision of the banking sector, the capital market, the insurance industry, pension funds, credit unions and electronic money institutions, as well as foreign exchange supervision. Under European Union policy frameworks, the ČNB is a voting member of the respective Boards of Supervisors of the European Banking Authority (EBA), European Insurance and Occupational Pensions Authority (EIOPA), and European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA). It also provides the permanent single common representative for Czechia in the Supervisory composition of the General Board of the Anti-Money Laundering Authority (AMLA). It is also a member of the European Systemic Risk Board (ESRB).

Banque Gouvernement

Broadway Theatre (Prague)

Broadway Theatre (Czech: Divadlo Broadway) is a theatre in Prague, Czech Republic. It is situated in the Celetná and Na Příkopě streets of the Old Town district of Prague. It opened in 2002. It focuses on production of musicals. Broadway Theatre is a part of the Palace Sevastopol, which was originally built in functionalist style in 1938. The Celetná and Na Příkopě streets are connected by Broadway Passage. The palace is listed in the register of protected buildings. The theatre's first production was the musical Cleopatra, which made its début on 22 February 2002 and featured Bára Basiková, Ilona Csáková, Monika Absolonová and Radka Fišarová alternating in the title role.

Site remarquable Musique

Hotel Paris (Prague)

Hotel Paris Prague (Czech: Hotel Paříž Praha) is a 5-star luxury hotel in Prague, Czech Republic. It is located in the centre of Prague in Old Town. It was built in 1904 according to plans of Jan Vejrych. Its architectural style is a mixture of Art Nouveau and Gothic Revival. It featured as a location in Bohumil Hrabal's book I Served the King of England. In 1984 it was declared as a historical monument.

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