Písek Gate
Encyclopedia
Písek Gate also called Bruska Gate is a former city gate
of Baroque fortification
of Prague
, Czech Republic
. Once belonging to fortification section called Marian Walls it is located in K Brusce Street at Hradčany
neighbourhood, not far from Hradčanská metro station
. Anther sights in vicinity include Royal Summer Palace or Villa Bílek
. Nowadays Písek Gate is the only preserved gate of the city proper and one of four remaining of the whole fortification system (Tábor, Leopold and Chotek (Brick) gates are part of Vyšehrad Fortress
).
The name has nothing in common with town of Písek
in Southern Bohemia
but it derives from previous medieval gate which used to stand several hundred steps away, at Písek, a defunct suburb of Lesser Quarter
(located approximately around what is now Valdštejnská Street). This suburb together with old gate was demolished in 1620s in order to make space for then newly built Wallenstein Palace
. The alternative name derives from the Brusnice (Bruska) stream, a tiny tributary of the Vltava River
running along northern side of Prague Castle
.
The gate was situated between bastion
s of St George
and St Ludmilla. It was built as one of latest parts of Baroque fortification in 1721 by architect Giovanni Battista Alliprandi after design by František Vogot. Písek Gate serving northbound traffic was one of three city gates in the left bank part of Prague (the other were westbound Imperial Gate located in what is now Dlabačov Street and southbound Újezd Gate in Újezd Street). During War of the Austrian Succession
in 1741 understaffed and weakly defended Písek Gate was the site where troops of Charles Albert
, Elector of Bavaria and claimant to the throne of Bohemia, entered Prague. After Austro-Prussian War
of 1866 it was decided that fortified cities were no more necesarry and the fortification ring of Prague started to be gradually dismantled. The Marian Walls survived until turn of 20th century when only fractions including Písek Gate were left. Thanks to new road bypassing it, the gate was no longer considered an obstacle for growing traffic and remained standing. In 2000 - 2002 Písek Gate underwent restoration and was turned into café
and gallery
; also wedding
ceremonies are held there.
City gate
A city gate is a gate which is, or was, set within a city wall. Other terms include port.-Uses:City gates were traditionally built to provide a point of controlled access to and departure from a walled city for people, vehicles, goods and animals...
of Baroque fortification
Fortification
Fortifications are military constructions and buildings designed for defence in warfare and military bases. Humans have constructed defensive works for many thousands of years, in a variety of increasingly complex designs...
of Prague
Prague
Prague is the capital and largest city of the Czech Republic. Situated in the north-west of the country on the Vltava river, the city is home to about 1.3 million people, while its metropolitan area is estimated to have a population of over 2.3 million...
, Czech Republic
Czech Republic
The Czech Republic is a landlocked country in Central Europe. The country is bordered by Poland to the northeast, Slovakia to the east, Austria to the south, and Germany to the west and northwest....
. Once belonging to fortification section called Marian Walls it is located in K Brusce Street at Hradčany
Hradcany
Hradčany , the Castle District, is the district of the city of Prague, Czech Republic, surrounding the Prague Castle.The castle is said to be the biggest castle in the world at about 570 meters in length and an average of about 130 meters wide. Its history stretches back to the 9th century...
neighbourhood, not far from Hradčanská metro station
Hradcanská
Hradčanská is a Prague Metro station on Line A.-Exits:This station has only one exit toward Milady Horákové, where plenty of tram transfers are available. A second exit was not built, though it was planned.- External links :...
. Anther sights in vicinity include Royal Summer Palace or Villa Bílek
Villa Bílek
The Villa Bílek is a house designed by the Czech sculptor and architect František Bílek in 1911. The villa is located in Hradčany neighbourhood of Prague, Czech Republic, several minutes walk from Hradčanská metro station or Prague Castle...
. Nowadays Písek Gate is the only preserved gate of the city proper and one of four remaining of the whole fortification system (Tábor, Leopold and Chotek (Brick) gates are part of Vyšehrad Fortress
Vyšehrad
Vyšehrad is a castle located in the city of Prague, Czech Republic. It was probably built in the 10th century, on a hill over the Vltava River...
).
The name has nothing in common with town of Písek
Písek
Písek is a town in the South Bohemian Region of the Czech Republic. It has a population of 29 909 .-About:Písek is usually called "The Athens of the South", although Athens is much more southerly, because it has many high schools and schools of higher education, e.g. the Film School in Písek...
in Southern Bohemia
South Bohemian Region
South Bohemian Region is an administrative unit of the Czech Republic, located mostly in the southern part of its historical land of Bohemia, with a small part in southwestern Moravia...
but it derives from previous medieval gate which used to stand several hundred steps away, at Písek, a defunct suburb of Lesser Quarter
Malá Strana
Malá Strana is a district of the city of Prague, Czech Republic, and one of its most historic regions.The name translated into English literally means "Little Side", though it is frequently referred to as "Lesser Town", "Lesser Quarter", or "Lesser Side"...
(located approximately around what is now Valdštejnská Street). This suburb together with old gate was demolished in 1620s in order to make space for then newly built Wallenstein Palace
Wallenstein Palace
Wallenstein Palace is a Baroque palace in Malá Strana, Prague, currently the home of the Czech Senate.-History:The original Palace was built in years 1623-1630 by Albrecht von Wallenstein, Duke of Mecklenburg , who made his name and fortune as the Commander-in-Chief of the Imperial forces in the...
. The alternative name derives from the Brusnice (Bruska) stream, a tiny tributary of the Vltava River
Vltava
The Vltava is the longest river in the Czech Republic, running north from its source in Šumava through Český Krumlov, České Budějovice, and Prague, merging with the Elbe at Mělník...
running along northern side of Prague Castle
Prague Castle
Prague Castle is a castle in Prague where the Kings of Bohemia, Holy Roman Emperors and presidents of Czechoslovakia and the Czech Republic have had their offices. The Czech Crown Jewels are kept here...
.
The gate was situated between bastion
Bastion
A bastion, or a bulwark, is a structure projecting outward from the main enclosure of a fortification, situated in both corners of a straight wall , facilitating active defence against assaulting troops...
s of St George
Saint George
Saint George was, according to tradition, a Roman soldier from Syria Palaestina and a priest in the Guard of Diocletian, who is venerated as a Christian martyr. In hagiography Saint George is one of the most venerated saints in the Catholic , Anglican, Eastern Orthodox, and the Oriental Orthodox...
and St Ludmilla. It was built as one of latest parts of Baroque fortification in 1721 by architect Giovanni Battista Alliprandi after design by František Vogot. Písek Gate serving northbound traffic was one of three city gates in the left bank part of Prague (the other were westbound Imperial Gate located in what is now Dlabačov Street and southbound Újezd Gate in Újezd Street). During War of the Austrian Succession
War of the Austrian Succession
The War of the Austrian Succession – including King George's War in North America, the Anglo-Spanish War of Jenkins' Ear, and two of the three Silesian wars – involved most of the powers of Europe over the question of Maria Theresa's succession to the realms of the House of Habsburg.The...
in 1741 understaffed and weakly defended Písek Gate was the site where troops of Charles Albert
Charles VII, Holy Roman Emperor
Charles VII Albert a member of the Wittelsbach family, was Prince-elector of Bavaria from 1726 and Holy Roman Emperor from 24 January 1742 until his death in 1745...
, Elector of Bavaria and claimant to the throne of Bohemia, entered Prague. After Austro-Prussian War
Austro-Prussian War
The Austro-Prussian War was a war fought in 1866 between the German Confederation under the leadership of the Austrian Empire and its German allies on one side and the Kingdom of Prussia with its German allies and Italy on the...
of 1866 it was decided that fortified cities were no more necesarry and the fortification ring of Prague started to be gradually dismantled. The Marian Walls survived until turn of 20th century when only fractions including Písek Gate were left. Thanks to new road bypassing it, the gate was no longer considered an obstacle for growing traffic and remained standing. In 2000 - 2002 Písek Gate underwent restoration and was turned into café
Café
A café , also spelled cafe, in most countries refers to an establishment which focuses on serving coffee, like an American coffeehouse. In the United States, it may refer to an informal restaurant, offering a range of hot meals and made-to-order sandwiches...
and gallery
Art gallery
An art gallery or art museum is a building or space for the exhibition of art, usually visual art.Museums can be public or private, but what distinguishes a museum is the ownership of a collection...
; also wedding
Wedding
A wedding is the ceremony in which two people are united in marriage or a similar institution. Wedding traditions and customs vary greatly between cultures, ethnic groups, religions, countries, and social classes...
ceremonies are held there.