Page 33 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Prague

THE HIST OR Y OF PR A GUE  31

Where to See
Renaissance Prague
The Royal Garden (see p111)
preserves much of the spirit of
Renaissance Prague. Paintings
and objects from Rudolph’s
collections can be seen in the
Sternberg Palace (see pp112–15),
the Picture Gallery of Prague Castle
(see p100) and the Museum of
Decorative Arts (see p86).
Sense of Sight
Jan Brueghel’s allegorical
painting shows the
extent of Rudolph II’s
huge collection – from
globes to paintings,
jewels and scientific
instruments. At the Two Golden Bears Built in
Tycho Brahe 1590, the house is famous for its
The Danish symmetrical, carved doorway, one of
Ball Game Hall astronomer spent the most graceful in Prague (see p73).
his last years
living in Prague.
A covered bridge
connected the Palace
to the garden.
Belvedere The palace is decorated
with stone reliefs by Italian architect
Paolo della Stella (see pp110–11).

Royal Palace Gardens
Ball Game Hall Beautiful Renaissance
No longer a medieval fortress, Prague Castle sgraffito, heavily restored, covers the
and its gardens were given over to the façade of this building in the Royal
pleasure of the King. Here, Rudolph enjoyed Garden (see p111).
ball games, exotic plants and his menagerie.

1583 Prague becomes seat of 1609 Publication of 1620 Battle of the 1621 Execution in Old Town
Imperial court of Rudolph II; Rudolph’s Imperial Charter White Mountain Square of 27 Protestant leaders
great art collection begun on religious freedom
1612
Rudolph II dies
1580 1600 1620
1614 Matthias Gate at
Prague Castle built
A ten-ducat 1618 Defenestration of two royal
coin (1603) governors from Royal Palace (see p107)

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