Powder Tower

The Powder Tower is one of Prague’s most important medieval monuments. From the late gothic 65 m high tower in the center of Prague is a beautiful city view.

The Powder Tower (Prasna brana) is a very important point in Czech history. This place was a starting point of Royal Route, a historic route through the center of Prague. The forthcoming Czech kings traveled this way to their coronation to Prague Castle. The tower stands on the site of the original Horska brana (Mountain Gate), which was a part of the Old Town fortifications. After the foundation of Nove Mesto (New Town) it has lost its importance and began to decay. The construction of the Powder Tower began in 1475, but it was not completed. It got a temporary roofing and served as a gunpowder storage, from which its name “Powder Tower” originated. The gate got its current appearance during the reconstruction in 1878–1886. Architects was inspired by Staromestska mostecka vez (The Old Town Bridge Tower). Now the Powder Tower is a part of the Prague Towers of the Prague City Museum, as well as The Petrin Observation Tower.

The Powder Tower stands on the border of Celetna Street and the Namesti republiky (Republic Square). It is adjacent to the beautiful Art Nouveau Obecni dum (Municipal House), which is also worth a visit. Opposite the Powder Tower stands the impressive functionalist building of the Czech National Bank.

Climbing 186 stone steps to the lookout gallery at 44 meters is definitely worth it. The view of the city center is really charming. Your eye will certainly not miss the monuments dominating the view, especially the Tyn Church, with Prague Castle behind in distance and on the other side Zizkov Television Tower and National Monument in Vitkov.

How to get to the view Powder Tower

Public transport
metro Namesti republiky (yellow line B)
metro Mustek (green line A and yellow line B)

tram Namesti republiky (6, 8, 15, 26, 41, 91, 94, 96)

bus Namesti republiky (207, H1, 905, 907, 909, 911)

Car (parking zones en.mapy.cz)

See the map of all viewpoints.

Plan your visit of the Powder Tower

Opening hours
Open daily
January–March 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
April–May 10 a.m. – 7 p.m.
June–August 9 a.m. – 9 p.m.
September 10 a.m. – 7 p.m.
October–November 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
December 10 a.m. – 8 p.m.

Admission fee
General 150 CZK

Official website
prague.eu/e/powder-gate-tower-prasna-brana