Vyšehrad sits somewhat apart from the novel's other locations — it lies outside the historic centre where the opening chapters unfold. That distance makes its entry into the story all the more striking.
National Cultural Monument
A cliff cloaked in the mist of ancient history, from which, according to legend, Princess Libuše gazed upon a great city whose glory would touch the very stars. One of the most symbolic sites in Bohemia, and in the novel a backdrop charged with unspoken tension.
The Birthplace of a National Myth
Vyšehrad rises on a rocky promontory above the Vltava, from which, on a clear day, all of Prague is visible — from Prague Castle to Petřín. This strategic, dramatic and extraordinarily imposing position gave it an exceptional symbolic weight from the very beginnings of the Bohemian state. Archaeological finds attest to settlement on the rock as early as the 10th century, when a Slavic fortified settlement arose here, likely military in character from the outset. Historically verified occupation by the Přemyslids is documented at least from 992, when denarii were being minted at the Vyšehrad mint.
The first ruler to consciously elevate Vyšehrad into a symbol was Duke Vratislav II (1061–1092). He chose it as his permanent residence and rebuilt it as a stone Romanesque castle that surpassed even Prague Castle in both scale and security. The glory of Vyšehrad reached its peak under Emperor Charles IV (1346–1378), who incorporated it into the fortification system of the New Town and, in the new coronation order, designated Vyšehrad as the starting point for the ceremonial procession of Bohemian kings. It was then that Charles IV commissioned a Gothic palace, new gateways and a vast collegiate cathedral.
Brief Chronology
- c. 10th century — a Slavic fortified settlement is established, military in character. The site was probably known as "Chrasten".
- 992–1012 — the first documented mint operates here; its Přemyslid denarii are the oldest material evidence of the site.
- 1070 — Duke Vratislav II founds the Vyšehrad Chapter and the Romanesque Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul, subject directly to Rome.
- 1346–1378 — Charles IV incorporates Vyšehrad into Prague's fortifications; it becomes the symbolic starting point of the royal coronation route.
- 1420 — the Hussites capture Vyšehrad; almost the entire complex is razed, with only the collegiate church and the Rotunda of St. Martin surviving.
- 17th–18th century — rebuilt as a Baroque fortress; Vyšehrad becomes part of Prague's defensive system.
1883 — the Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul acquires its present Neo-Gothic form, with twin towers that continue to define the characteristic skyline.
Cemetery of the Famous
Two things have made Vyšehrad an iconic site of Czech culture: Vyšehrad Cemetery and the legend of Princess Libuše. The cemetery, established in 1869, is the resting place of the most celebrated Czechs: composers Bedřich Smetana and Antonín Dvořák, poet and folklore collector Karel Jaromír Erben, writer Jan Neruda, playwright Karel Čapek, and actor Jan Werich. At its centre stands Slavín, a monumental pantheon where the most distinguished artists and scientists of the 19th and 20th centuries lie at rest.
The Prophecy of Libuše
Libuše, the legendary Bohemian princess and prophetess, has been linked to Vyšehrad since time immemorial. According to legend, it was from the Vyšehrad rock that she looked out upon the place where a great city would one day rise:
"I see a great city, whose glory shall touch the stars..."
The Prophecy of Libuše, Old Bohemian Legends, Alois Jirásek
Smetana's symphonic poem Vyšehrad, the opening movement of the cycle Má vlast (My Homeland), captures the noble strains of a harp evoking the memory of this place's glorious past. The mystery that radiates from Vyšehrad springs precisely from this interweaving of historical fact and myth — it is impossible to say precisely where legend ends and verifiable history begins.
Vyšehrad and Its Role in the Story
Dan Brown brings Vyšehrad into the novel as a symbolic vantage point from which Langdon and other characters survey the panorama of Prague and come to understand how deeply the layers of history reach beneath every cobblestone. Vyšehrad Rock, its silhouette dominated by the characteristic twin-spired towers rising over the city's southern skyline, serves in the book as a silent guardian of secrets buried underground. Particularly significant is its proximity to Bastion U Božích muk, from where the view of Vyšehrad opens in full force and where key scenes take place in the novel before the descent into the underground world of Folimanka.
What to See at Vyšehrad
Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul: twin Neo-Gothic towers (approximately 58 m tall), rebuilt to their present form between 1885 and 1903.
Slavín Cemetery: burial ground of Czech greats (Smetana, Dvořák, Čapek, Neruda, Werich) — one of the most visited cemeteries in Central Europe.
Rotunda of St. Martin: the oldest surviving structure at Vyšehrad, a Romanesque rotunda from the second half of the 11th century that survived even the Hussite sack of 1420.
Vyšehrad Underground: a network of underground passages built during the period when Vyšehrad served as a military fortress, today accessible on guided tours.
Practical Information
Getting There
Metro line C, Vyšehrad station (direct access to the complex). Folimanka shelter: tram lines 7, 18, 24 — stop Pod Karlovem or Ostrčilovo náměstí. Walking distance Vyšehrad to Folimanka: approximately 10–15 minutes.
Admission — Vyšehrad
The Vyšehrad grounds are free to enter; the basilica and cemetery charge admission. Vyšehrad Underground: guided tours with admission fee (see praha-vysehrad.cz).
Folimanka Shelter
Free admission. Open one Saturday per month, 9 am–3 pm (see krytfolimanka.cz). Wheelchair accessible. Pod Karlovem 2, Prague 2 – Vinohrady.
Recommended Route
Vyšehrad (cemetery, viewpoints, basilica) → descend via the steps to the Vltava and along Na Slupi street → Folimanka park → Bastion U Božích muk → Folimanka shelter (on open days).
Guided Walks
Prague City Tourism offers themed walks titled "Dan Brown's Prague" taking in the Folimanka shelter and Bastion U Božích muk, available in both Czech and English.