Benedikt Ried
Commissioned by Vladislav II Jagiello, 1490-1500
© CzechTourism.com
The large hall 60x16 m without a central column is part of the staterooms at Prague castle. It was used for formal gatherings, festivities, and tournaments. The hall is characterized by its unique vaulting comprising entwined ribs, and the two staircases - one for horses/horsemen, the second, at the hall’s south-western end, for festivities. As in many late Gothic buildings, the architect also incorporated a number of Renaissance elements. The large Renaissance windows on the south wall also feature an open viewing gallery. While Prague Castle was rebuilt Vladislav II resided at Buda; the work was supervised by civil servants, who saw it as an expression of the power of the country, not only of its ruler.
Antonín Kalous