Powder Tower
In an historical context, the Powder Tower is one of Prague’s most important medieval monuments. This is the place where royal coronation processions would commence. It is also the beginning and end of an important route from Kutná Hora, where silver was mined for the royal coffers. The so-called Mountain Tower (Horská brána) originally stood on this site, however. Because of its poor state of repair, this later became known as the “Shabby Tower” (Odraná brána) from the middle of the 13th century. At that time, it was still part of the city’s fortifications, but after the New Town was established by Charles IV, the fortification in this place lost its importance. Consequently, in 1475, the erection of a new symbolic tower gate began on the city moat (today’s Na Příkopě Street). The tower only retained its importance until the royal seat returned from the King’s Court (Králův dvůr – on the site of today’s Municipal House) to Prague Castle. The tower remained uncompleted until 1592, when a new entrance and spiral staircase were constructed. The Powder Tower acquired its current appearance during a refurbishment in the 1880s. Above the gateway, in the direction of Celetná Street, stands a statue of George of Poděbrady together with the Jagiellon monarch Vladislav II, who were kings of Bohemia during the relevant era. On the other side of the tower, in the direction of Náměstí Republiky, the building is adorned with statues of the great Czech monarchs Charles IV and Přemysl Otakar II.
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