| A castle was built on this site in the 9th century, and a Romanesque
palace was erected in the 12th. In the 14th century, under the reign of
Charles IV, it was rebuilt in the Gothic style. The final reconstruction
of the Royal palace took place under the Jagellons at the end of the 15th
century, and at that time the builder Benedikt Rejt added the now-famous
Vladislav Hall, also in Gothic style. The castle was enlarged in the 16th
century, especially after a big fire in 1541. The Spanish Hall, in a new
part of the castle, was added in the reign of Rudolf II, and it took its
final form in the time of Empress Maria Theresa, under the direction of
the architect M. Pacassi. After World War I the interior and gardens of
the castle were renovated by the architect J. Plecnik. Today the Castle
is the seat of the President of the Czech Republic, and it serves as the
historical and political center of both city and state. The changing of
the guard takes place every hour on the hour, from 5 a.m. to 11 p.m. Each
day at noon there is also a solemn fanfare.
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