Archbishop Palace

Archbishop's Palace (Arcibiskupský palác) stands on Hradčanské náměstí (Hradčany Square) in Prague, right beside the main gate leading into Prague Castle. It remains a working residence: the building has served the Archbishop of Prague without interruption since the mid-17th century, and behind its Rococo facade hides one of the city's most representative ecclesiastical interiors.

How did the archbishops come to reside on Hradčany Square?

The site was originally occupied by several separate burgher houses, joined into a single building already in the 16th century. The turning point came on 5 October 1561, when Emperor Ferdinand I granted the property to Antonín Brus of Mohelnice, the first Prague archbishop appointed after the Hussite era — by then already the third seat used by Prague's bishops and archbishops. Since that donation, the building has continuously housed the heads of the Prague archdiocese.

How did the palace get its current look?

Its largely Baroque form dates to a major rebuilding carried out between 1676 and 1694 under Archbishop Jan Bedřich of Valdštejn (Waldstein), designed by the Rome-trained architect Jean Baptiste Mathey. A second transformation followed in the second half of the 18th century, commissioned by Archbishop Antonín Petr of Příchovice: architect Jan Josef Wirch added the side wings and a third floor, and gave the facade its Rococo decoration. The sculptural ornament on the front was created by Ignác František Platzer, one of the most sought-after Prague sculptors of the period.

What is inside the palace?

The interiors are largely Rococo in style and serve a representative function, hosting official meetings and ceremonies connected with the life of the archdiocese. Among the most valuable furnishings are a set of nine French tapestries and a portrait gallery of Prague's archbishops stretching back several centuries. That gallery includes a portrait of Cardinal Friedrich Prince zu Schwarzenberg, one of the best-known recent heads of the Prague archdiocese, who resided in the palace.

Can visitors go inside?

On an ordinary day, the palace is closed to the public, since it still serves its original residential and administrative purpose — there are no regular guided tours. From the square, however, anyone can admire the Rococo facade up close, and occasionally glimpse the courtyard through an open gate. The one exception is Maundy Thursday, the day before Good Friday, when the palace opens its doors to visitors once a year, offering a rare look at the archbishop's private chapel and its painting of the Crucifixion.

Frequently asked questions

Where exactly is the Archbishop's Palace located? On Hradčanské náměstí in Prague, directly next to the main gate into Prague Castle.

Since when has the building served as the archbishop's seat? Since 1561, when Emperor Ferdinand I granted it to Archbishop Antonín Brus of Mohelnice; its present architectural form results from rebuildings in the late 17th and 18th centuries.

Can the interior be visited? Generally no — it remains an active archbishop's residence. The exception is Maundy Thursday, when the palace opens to visitors for one day a year.

What can you see if you do get inside? The Rococo state rooms, a collection of nine French tapestries, a portrait gallery of Prague's archbishops, and the private chapel with its Crucifixion painting.