Discover Seven Cities with Stunning Castle Gates and Impressive Walls

City Walls in Polička

The town of Polička, often referred to as the queen of towns surrounded by walls, is located on the Bohemian-Moravian border, just west of Svitavy. The city’s walls stretch 1,220 metres and have protected it from numerous calamities such as invading armies, fires, and outbreaks of plague. You can explore these walls either by joining a guided tour or wandering around them on your own. Tickets are available for purchase at the Bohuslav Martinů Centre located on Šaffova Street. During the tourist season, there are two different routes you can take. From the top, you’ll enjoy views of the city’s notable sites, including St. James Church, where the famous composer Bohuslav Martinů was born. You’ll also see charming little homes closely built against the walls, once inhabited by the city’s poorest residents—a fact reflected in the name of Na Bídě Street. This year, a new educational trail called “Around the Walls” has been introduced, featuring nine stops along the way. It includes basic information along with illustrations that are enhanced by QR codes.

Písek Gate and Other Walls in Prague

In Prague, you can find remnants of Gothic and Baroque fortifications, including the famous Dust Gate, several gates and walls at strongholds like Vyšehrad, the Hunger Wall at Petrin Hill, and the walls in Nusel Valley. The Marian Walls once extended from the Powder Bridge through Pohořelec and Petřín down to the Vltava River, where Písek Gate, also known as Sand Gate, was located—typically named after the now-extinct suburb of Písek, which included Bruská or Karlova. Today, Písek Gate is a vibrant cultural and social hub in Prague 6, hosting weddings, exhibitions, concerts, and many other events. Notable features include the well-preserved bastions in the area, such as The Bastion of St. George, On the Bastion of St. Ludmilla—which houses the renowned Bílek’s villa—and On the Bastion of St. Thomas. Further down the slope toward Letná, you will find the bastion of St. Mary Magdalene, on which sits the Kramář’s villa.

Walking Around the Walls in Prachatice

Prachatice is one of the towns that has created a nature trail specifically dedicated to its historic walls. Although the entire ring of walls has not been preserved, you can still observe several cannon bastions, including the best-preserved one, the Helvetian bastion, and one of the city gates known as Písecká. This gate, often referred to as Lower on modern maps, is rightly considered one of the most beautiful city gates in the Czech Republic. Inside, you can find the Dolní brána gallery, and above the gate rises a tower featuring battlements and corner turrets, decorated with a painting depicting a Rosenberg horseman and stone cannonballs. Although legends suggest these cannonballs date back to the Hussite conquest of the town in 1420, they were actually added to the wall at a later time.

Prague Gate in Rakovník

The stunning Prague Gate in Rakovník is often considered one of the most charming gates in the Czech lands, resembling a gateway straight out of a fairy tale. Constructed between 1516 and 1517, the building marked the beginning of the city walls that were never fully completed and have long since been demolished. Out of the original four gates, two have been lost, leaving Prague Gate as one of the two that primarily survive. In addition, you can also explore the High Gate, aptly named because it stands at 31 meters, serving as a viewing tower.

Walking Around the Walls in Kourim

Kourim is mainly known for its open-air museum, but it would be a shame to miss a chance to stop in the town center and see at least a section of the local walls. These walls are as long as those found in Polička, but the oldest sections date back to the 13th century. This includes the Prague Gate, which is the only surviving gate of the original four. It’s recognized as one of the best-preserved examples of its kind in Central Europe. The fortifications consist of two belts of walls separated by a fourteen-meter-wide green space. The inner wall was reinforced with several prismatic towers, while the outer wall featured robust half-cylindrical and prismatic bastions.

Curiosities of the Walls in Tachov and Nymburk

At first sight, the city walls in Tachov captivate visitors not only through their impressive size but also due to the unique shape of the towers. Originally, there were twenty-six towers, and today, twenty-one still stand, although some exist only as faint remnants. Why such a high number? Unlike most cities, Tachov likely did not have ordinary walls joined with wooden galleries; it instead featured closely spaced towers from which defenders protected the smooth stone walls in between. This design offered several benefits: towers without wooden elements were more fire-resistant, and they eliminated the need for costly and labor-intensive upkeep of wooden structures.

You Know the Nymburk Walls from Fairy Tales

The town of Nymburk also had an impressive fortification system, once boasting around fifty towers. However, only a significant 200-meter-long section of walls with several towers has survived along the Elbe River. The presence of the river, combined with two moats and a double encirclement by walls, completely shielded the town. Originally, the brick walls gave way to an inner wall on the city’s east and west sides. The most famous remnant of this defensive structure, located in the southeast of the town, underwent a romantic reconstruction between 1905 and 1909 directed by L. Labler. Although this restoration altered the walls, giving them a less authentic appearance, the remnants along Hradební Street are considered to hold greater historical value. The intriguing Turkish Tower, part of the fortifications in the Prilab section, is also worth mentioning. The picturesque walls have featured in numerous fairy tales and films, including Three Veterans and Circus Humberto (Episode 1).

Medieval City Walls of the Czech Republic

Explore the remarkable fortifications that once protected towns from invaders, fires, and plague, and discover the unique history and panoramic vistas they offer today.

Why City Walls?

In the Middle Ages, robust stone walls were essential for safeguarding inhabitants against military threats, conflagrations, and disease outbreaks, while reinforcing civic pride and autonomy.

Key Fortified Sites

Polička

• Length & Layout: One of the country’s longest surviving castle walls at 1 220 m.

• Visitor Routes: Two self-guided or guided circuits available during the tourist season.

• Highlights:

  • Views over the tightly clustered historic homes and town landmarks.

  • Birthplace of composer Bohuslav Martinů at the Church of St. James.

Písek Gate (Písecká brána)

• Origins: Named for the vanished suburb of Písek-Bruská (also Karlova).

• Current Use: Venue for exhibitions, weddings, concerts, and community events.

Rakovník’s Prague Gate

• Location: Adjacent to the Rakovník Sharpshooters Corps exhibition.

• Feature: Iconic city entrance exemplifying late-medieval defensive architecture.

Tachov

• Towers: 21 of the original 26 defensive towers remain intact.

• Experience: Walk along reconstructed ramparts and peer through embrasures.

Vysoké Mýto

• Height: Fortification walls reaching up to 10 m.

• Character: Well-preserved curtain walls punctuated by bastions and towers.

Nymburk

• Age: Constructed at the end of the 13th century.

• Significance: Made the town nearly impregnable in its era; extensive remains still define the old town’s perimeter.

Visitor Tips

• Guided Tours: Many towns offer seasonal tours led by costumed interpreters—check local tourist offices for schedules.

• Combine Attractions: Pair your wall walk with other local sights (e.g., Martinů’s birthplace in Polička or the catacombs in nearby Klatovy).

• Events & Exhibitions: Look for cultural programs held within gatehouses and towers, from music performances to historical reenactments.

• Best Time to Visit: Late spring through early autumn, when daylight is long and walking paths along the walls are open.