A mysterious and magical atmosphere will surround you from the moment you enter the Gothic Cellar. The remains of one of four palace structures built in the second half of the 14th century are hidden underground. According to historians, this space was probably used for storage purposes in the distant past. Above it, there used to be another floor that no longer exists, with a dining hall and a chapel in an oriel. You won't find any food supplies in the Gothic basement anymore. At present, it displays treasures that demonstrate how this place has changed over time.
People lived in Vyšehrad as far back as the Stone Age
The exhibition contains many objects, period photographs, pictures, and a model of Vyšehrad from the beginning of the 20th century. Each of the glass showcases, located in the centre of the space, give you a glimpse of precious exhibits, which documented and illustrated human presence and activity in Vyšehrad in times long before Christ. We do not know much about the oldest residents of Vyšehrad. However, it is certain that people lived there before the arrival of the Slavs in Czech territory, whose first documented presence at this site dates to the first half of the 10th century. Traces of prehistoric settlement on the Vyšehrad promontory go as far back as the early Stone Age. In an inaccessible place above the confluence of the Vltava and Botič, close to an important trade route, archaeologists found the Funnel-Beaker Culture settlement, and a later and a later Řivnáč Culture settlement, (from between 3800BC and 2800BC).
The Řivnáč Culture
The Řivnáč Culture was named after the first discovery in ‘Řivnáč u Roztok’ – a place close to Prague, and lasted for approximately 200 years, between 3000 and 2800BC. You can see fragments of ceramics as well as entire ceramic pots, crushers and grinding stones from this period in the Gothic Cellar. Among other things, you will learn that symbols of the sun and bull horns in art were typical of the Řivnáč culture, which you may see on the exhibited baby bowl. People of the Řivnáč culture also used various tools made of bone. Bodkins, chisels and burnishing tools made of bones are part of the exhibition.
Denarii from the Royal Mint in Vyšehrad
Further settlement of Vyšehrad is documented in the 10th century, when a fort was built here. From the middle of the 10th century and the 11th century, it was the seat of the Czech rulers of the Přemyslid dynasty. This period is represented in the exhibition by denarii minted in the Royal Mint in Vyšehrad. The greatest glory and development of Vyšehrad was during the reign of Prince Vratislav II. (1061-1092, from 1085 ruled as King Vratislav I), who moved to Vyšehrad from Prague Castle. As the seat of the first Czech King, Vyšehrad became important, and significant building modifications and changes were made, also related to the establishment of the Vyšehrad Chapter.
Seals
Each exhibit is an artefact from its time and reveals something about one of these periods. You can see, for example, early medieval shards found at Vyšehrad; a set of medieval items, including an axe, keys, horseshoe parts, a fire striker, spurs, a buckle, iron arrows and ceramic pots from the 13th to the 15th century, found near the Church of St. Martin during an archaeological excavation in 1925; and glass from the 14th to the 17th century. The seals are some of the most interesting exhibits. You can admire the seal of the Vyšehrad Chapter, which was first documented in 1252, the Chapter seals with the motif of the punishment of Duke Bedřich, and the seal of the provost Jan Volek.
Memorabilia of integration of Vyšehrad to Prague
Make sure not to miss the box containing memorabilia of integration of Vyšehrad to Prague. In 1850, in relation to the abolition of the corvée, Vyšehrad became an independent town, including Vyšehrad and Podvyšehradí. On the 26th of September 1883, the Bohemian Landtag approved the amalgamation of Vyšehrad and Prague, forming one political municipality. Vyšehrad became the sixth quarter of Prague.
The box reminiscent of this day contains photographs of the Mayors of Prague and of Vyšehrad, an iron sealer, small seals, two city keys, and ‘Rychtářské právo’ - a wooden, sceptre-shaped object that was a symbol of Mayor (‘Rychtář’ is in an old Czech word for Mayor). We will let you discover the rest yourself! Visit the Gothic Cellar, where the wonderful history of Vyšehrad will fascinate you.
The most valuable exhibits
The most significant features of the exhibition ‘Vyšehrad's Historical Appearance’ include the Romanesque sarcophagus from the 11th century, which was found during the excavation of the area surrounding the Basilica of St. Peter and Paul at Vyšehrad. Another exhibit worth mentioning is a tiny cross of the eastern type from the 11th century, found at the end of the 19th century at the Vyšehrad Cemetery in the proximity of Bedřich Smetana's grave. Equally rare is a soapstone medallion, the motif of which probably represents Abraham's sacrifice. It was found under the Vyšehrad rock during the construction works in 1905.
The Gothic Cellar
The Gothic Cellar in Vyšehrad is an important historical and technical monument from the period of the Baroque fortress. Its peripheral structures retain fragments of masonry of medieval palace buildings, and the additions of younger buildings from the 18th and 19th century, which document the development of military site operating equipment, are also valuable. The Gothic Cellar was reconstructed for the permanent exhibition, ‘Vyšehrad's Historical Appearance’.
INFORMATION ABOUT THE EXHIBITION
All informative texts, as well as labels for the exhibits, are available in English.
Open daily:
January – March 9:30AM – 5PM
April – October 9:30AM – 6PM
Admission:
Adults: CZK 50
Children/Students/Seniors: CZK 30
Family (2 Adults and 2 Children): CZK 100
Children under 6 years old go free
Wheelchair access from the Old Burgrave's House
For more information on Vyšehrad, please visit: http://www.praha-vysehrad.cz/?l=9