Vladislav Hall () is a large hall within the
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 ...
complex in the
Czech Republic
The Czech Republic, also known as Czechia, and historically known as Bohemia, is a landlocked country in Central Europe. The country is bordered by Austria to the south, Germany to the west, Poland to the northeast, and Slovakia to the south ...
, used for large public events of the Bohemian monarchy and the modern Czech state. Built between 1493–1502 by
Benedikt Rejt
Benedikt Rejt (often spelled Benedikt Ried; c. 1450 – between 1531 and 1536) was a leading medieval architect in Bohemia, today's Czech Republic. He built Vladislav Hall (1497–1500) in Prague Castle, St. Barbara's Church, Kutná Hora, (c. 14 ...
during the reign of
Vladislav II, the hall was the largest secular space (62m × 16m × 13m) in medieval
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 ...
and is among the most complex structural and architectural spaces of the late Middle Ages. In particular, the construction of the complex stone
vaulting system spanning 16m was a refined engineering feat. The third and highest floor of the palace, the hall replaced a group of rooms dating from the 14th century. Immediately underneath, the second floor is a
Gothic addition built during the reign of
Charles IV, Holy Roman Emperor
Charles IV (; ; ; 14 May 1316 – 29 November 1378''Karl IV''. In: (1960): ''Geschichte in Gestalten'' (''History in figures''), vol. 2: ''F–K''. 38, Frankfurt 1963, p. 294), also known as Charles of Luxembourg, born Wenceslaus (, ), was H ...
in the 14th century, while the lowest, first floor is a
Romanesque palace.
The hall was used for banquets, receptions, coronations, and other events of the Bohemian court. It was even large enough to accommodate
tournaments
A tournament is a competition involving at least three competitors, all participating in a sport or game. More specifically, the term may be used in either of two overlapping senses:
# One or more competitions held at a single venue and concentr ...
between
knights
A knight is a person granted an honorary title of a knighthood by a head of state (including the pope) or representative for service to the monarch, the church, or the country, especially in a military capacity.
The concept of a knighthood ...
; the "Knight's Stairway" was built wide enough to accommodate horses to facilitate such activities.
[Kaufmann, Thomas DaCosta. ''Court, Cloister, and City: The Art and Culture of Central Europe, 1450–1800''. University of Chicago Press, 1995]
p. 63
References
Palaces of Prague Castle
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