Court confirms Prague Castle courtyards not public space

The Constitutional Court has confirmed that the courtyards of Prague Castle are not public spaces. The decision follows a legal dispute over a denied request to hold a demonstration in 2021 on U Svatého Jiří Square, between St. Vitus Cathedral and St. George's Basilica. The court ruled that rallies on Castle grounds require approval from the Prague Castle Administration.

The challenge claimed that Prague Castle is historically a public space and that restricting access violates the right to peaceful assembly. However, the judges found no grounds to overturn the verdict, stating that the square is not a public space inherently. The case was brought by the group Kverulant, which sought to open the Castle to the public during Miloš Zeman’s presidency.