St. Lobkovic Palace The Pernstein family began construction of this palace in the mid-16th century. In 1627 it became the property of Polyxena of Lobkovic and was rebuilt in 1651-68 by Carlo Lurago in the form seen today. Since 1983 it has been a part of the National Museum, containing monuments of Czech history including copies of the coronation jewels.
The Royal Garden with Ball Hall (Micovna) The garden was set up in 1534 and embellished during the time of Rudolf II. The Ball Hall was used as barracks at one time, nowadays it is an exhibition and concert hall.
The Royal Summer Palace of Queen Anne or Belvedere Perhaps the most remarkable Renaissance building in Prague, this palace was built on plans of Paolo della Stella in 1535-1537 but not finished until 1557-63 under the direction of the architect B. Wohlmut. The famous Singing Fountain, whose drops of water make music, is in the Belvedere garden and was designed and cast by Tomas Jaros in 1564-68.
Loretto This former place of pilgrimage with the copy of Santa Casa was built in 1626-31, and the Baroque Church of the Nativity of Our Lord was added in 1734-35. The facade of the front wing was rebuilt by K. I. Dienzenhofer in 172O-22. The tower contains 30 loretto bells which play the Song of Our Lady. The most valuable item of the liturgical treasury is the so-called Prague Sun, a monstrance weighing over 12 kg and embellished with more than 6,000 diamonds.
Cernin Palace This early Baroque palace, now the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, was built by Francesco Caratti in 1669-87.
Strahov Monastery A Monastery of the Premonstratensian Order at Strahov, originally in Romanesque style, including the Church of Our Lady and the Strahov Library.The Library contains an early Baroque Theological Hall from 1671-79 and a Classicism Philosophical Hall from 1785-94. >>