Prague Castle to fully reopen to the public from May 3

Prague Castle will reopen to the public from May 3 after being closed for longer than six months due to the coronavirus pandemic, the Presidential Office press section has told CTK. The Castle is the official seat of the Czech head of state. 

The entire castle complex, including its exterior and interior locations as well as exhibitions, will be open daily. The complex will be open from 6:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.

The gardens and the upper part of the Stag Moat surrounding the Castle have been open since mid-April from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

From Monday, visitor access will include St. Vitus Cathedral, the Old Royal Palace, St. George's Basilica, Golden Lane, and the Daliborka prison tower.

"We respond to the government decision concerning four regions, including Prague," Presidential Office head Vratislav Mynář said.

"We are very glad we can welcome visitors to Prague Castle again. We offer them an interesting program that includes two new exhibitions."

"At the same time, we have prepared measures that will allow us to observe anti-epidemic measures limiting the number of people in castle interiors."

Prague Castle has been closed since mid-October under the Czech Republic's anti-epidemic measures. A similar two-month closure took place last spring during the first wave of the epidemic.

During the closure, people were allowed to enter the Castle only on limited occasions including Christmas and Easter mass at St. Vitus Cathedral.

Prague Castle will launch two new exhibitions on Monday. One of them is dedicated to John Amos Comenius, a renowned Czech philosopher, pedagogue, and theologian from the 17th century.

The Comenius exhibition will feature his original manuscripts as well as a six-meter painting, part of the Slav Epic, by Czech painter and Art Nouveau artist Alfons Mucha.

The number of people allowed to enter the Castle complex is set by government regulations. Visitors must cover their mouth and nose either with respirators or other protective material in accordance with anti-epidemic measures. They also must keep distancing and obey all measures related to the coronavirus epidemic.

Guided tours remain prohibited.