The Powder Tower or Powder Gate () is a Gothic tower in

Prague Prague ( ; ) is the capital and List of cities and towns in the Czech Republic, largest city of the Czech Republic and the historical capital of Bohemia. Prague, located on the Vltava River, has a population of about 1.4 million, while its P ...

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. It is one of the original

city gate A city gate is a gate which is, or was, set within a city wall. It is a type of fortified gateway. Uses City gates were traditionally built to provide a point of controlled access to and departure from a walled city for people, vehicles, goods ...

s. It separates the

Old Town In a city or town, the old town is its historic or original core. Although the city is usually larger in its present form, many cities have redesignated this part of the city to commemorate its origins. In some cases, newer developments on t ...

from the

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. Powder Tower, as with many historical sites in Prague, undergoes periodic preservation and restoration. The most recent treatment began Summer 2024 and is scheduled to be completed in October. Jiří Pospíšil, Deputy Mayor for Culture and Tourism stated, ”It is our duty to take care of Prague’s heritage buildings, which are a symbol of Prague and the legacy of our ancestors… Now, in cooperation with Prague City Tourism, we are starting the repair of the Powder Tower, and I am very happy that the tower will have a literal new coat.”

History

The Powder Tower is one of the original 13

s in

. Its construction began in 1475. The tower was intended to be an attractive entrance into the city, instead of a defensive tower. The

foundation stone A cornerstone (or foundation stone or setting stone) is the first stone set in the construction of a masonry Foundation (engineering), foundation. All other stones will be set in reference to this stone, thus determining the position of the entir ...

was placed by Vladislav II. The

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gave Vladislav II the tower as a

coronation A coronation ceremony marks the formal investiture of a monarch with regal power using a crown. In addition to the crowning, this ceremony may include the presentation of other items of regalia, and other rituals such as the taking of special v ...

gift. While it was being built, it was called the New Tower. The look of the tower was inspired by the work of Peter Parler on the Charles Bridge. Vladislav II had to relocate due to

riot A riot or mob violence is a form of civil disorder commonly characterized by a group lashing out in a violent public disturbance against authority, property, or people. Riots typically involve destruction of property, public or private. The p ...

s, so the tower building stopped. He returned in 1485 to live back in

Prague Castle Prague Castle (; ) is a castle complex in Prague, Czech Republic serving as the official residence and workplace of the president of the Czech Republic. Built in the 9th century, the castle has long served as the seat of power for List of rulers ...

, where he lived for the rest of his life, along with the rest of the Kings of Bohemia who lived in Prague. Kings would not return to use the tower or

Royal Court A royal court, often called simply a court when the royal context is clear, is an extended royal household in a monarchy, including all those who regularly attend on a monarch, or another central figure. Hence, the word ''court'' may also be app ...

until using it for coronation ceremonies starting again in 1836, where they would pass through the tower to go to St. Vitus Cathedral. Despite its name the Powder Tower was never used to store

gunpowder Gunpowder, also commonly known as black powder to distinguish it from modern smokeless powder, is the earliest known chemical explosive. It consists of a mixture of sulfur, charcoal (which is mostly carbon), and potassium nitrate, potassium ni ...

. The gate suffered considerable damage during the Battle of Prague. The sculptures on the tower were replaced in 1876.

References

{{Authority control Towers in Prague Gates National cultural monuments of the Czech Republic Old Town (Prague)

Tourist attractions in Prague