Rosenberg Palace in Prague Castle is a former seminary for aristocratic women.
In this guide to Rosenberg Palace, you'll learn all about the sights, history, and helpful information about directions, tickets, and tours.
What Can I Do at Rosenberg Palace?
Rosenberg Palace, built in the 16th century by the noble family of Rosenberg, once served as a convent for noble ladies.
Founded at the behest of Empress Maria Theresa, the convent was dedicated to the education of daughters of noble families older than 23 years.
Permanent Exhibition
Today, visitors can see the premises of the Renaissance palace in the permanent exhibition. Since the palace has hardly changed since its conversion into a monastery, it provides interesting insights into the former ladies' monastery and stands out among Prague's sights.
You can visit the rooms of the noble daughters, which were located on the 1st and 2nd floors of the palace. The abbess's apartment, social rooms, the chapter room, the choir, and the economic facilities that formed another part.
The Baroque chapel of the Holy Trinity and the Immaculate Conception of the Virgin Mary is particularly worth seeing. Magnificent wall paintings by Josef Hager and Jan Petr Molitor decorate the church.
The centerpiece is the reconstructed, magnificent Rosenberg Hall, which dates from the Renaissance period.
Admission, Tickets, and Guided Tours
- Tickets: Admission is included in Tour A of Prague Castle.
- Guided Tours: Prague Castle Sightseeing Tour A includes the following attractions: Old Royal Palace, The History of Prague Castle exhibition, St. George's Basilica, Golden Lane, St. Vitus Cathedral, and Rosenberg Palace.
- Tip: Since there is always a big crowd in front of the ticket counters on site, it is recommended to buy an online ticket in advance. You can find more about tickets here.
- Please Note: There is a security check at the entrance to the Prague Castle area, which all visitors must undergo.
How Do I Get to Rosenberg Palace?
Rosenberg Palace is located in Prague Castle, which stands on a hill in the center of Prague.
The easiest way to reach the castle is by public transport, taking streetcar line 22. You can take it from the Old Town to the Pražský hrad (Prague Castle) stop.
The palace is located in the southeast part of the Prague Castle.
History of Rosenberg Palace
The history of the Rosenberg Palace dates back to the 14th century, when there were already several houses on the site.
After a devastating fire in 1541, in which the Prague Castle burned down, these houses were also badly affected. As a result, the Lords of Rosenberg had an impressive palace built in the Renaissance style from 1545 to 1574.
At the beginning of the 17th century, Emperor Rudolf II bought the splendidly furnished palace and had it connected to the adjacent Royal Palace.
After Empress Maria Theresa founded the convent for noble ladies in 1753, she had the residence rebuilt. About 30 women could live in the convent, which was intended for daughters of noble families who were older than 24 years old. It was run by an unmarried archduchess from the Habsburg-Lorraine family, who bore the title of abbess. The first abbess was Archduchess Maria Anna, the daughter of Empress Maria Theresa.
After the end of the First World War, the monastery was dissolved and belonged to the Ministry of the Interior until 1990.
From 1996 to 2007, Rosenberg Palace was reconstructed. Since 2010, the palace has been restored to its former glory and is once again open to the public as part of the Prague Castle A tour.
Contact
- Address: Rosenberg Palace, Pražský hrad, 119 01 Praha 1 – Hradčany
- Public Transport: Streetcar Line 22 to the Pražský hrad stop
- Opening Hours: The opening hours of the Rosenberg Palace can be found on Prague Castle's website.