Historic Prague Castle Guard loosens the rules to recruit new members
The Prague Castle Guard is looking to take on new recruits and has relaxed its long-standing selection criteria. For many years, only candidates between 178 and 188 centimeters tall were eligible to serve. The new height range is more tolerant.
The Prague Castle Guard is a specialized military unit with over 100 years of history. Established on December 7, 1918, shortly after Czechoslovakia gained independence, it served to protect the country’s first president and founder, T.G. Masaryk. The initial guard was provided by the Sokol organization, followed by Czechoslovak legionaries from Russia, Italy, and France.
When Nazi Germany occupied the territories of Bohemia and Moravia in March 1939, the Castle Guard was abolished and was replaced by the newly formed Protectorate’s Government Army. However, in practice, Prague Castle’s security was almost exclusively handled by German Wehrmacht and SS units.
Nevertheless, a free Czechoslovak unit tasked with guarding the president did exist at this time. It was located in Britain, where it guarded the Czechoslovak exile movement leader Edvard Beneš. It was this unit that was also tasked with guarding Beneš at Prague Castle when the president returned to his home country.
During the communist era the guard lost its elite status and was subordinated to the Ministry of Interior, but with the return of democracy in 1989 it regained its former standing as an elite unit under the direct command of the Military Office of the President of the Republic. From 1990, the Castle Guard served then president Vaclav Havel, who personally supervised its reorganization and new image.
It was thanks to him that the guard’s distinct modern, light blue (summer) and dark blue (winter) uniforms were designed by Oscar-winning costume designer Theodor Pištěk in 1990. (Pištěk won an Oscar for his costume designs in Miloš Forman’s 1984 film Amadeus.)
Beyond ceremonial duties, the 715-member unit is responsible for guarding the Prague Castle compound and Lány Chateau, providing security for the president, and managing public entry points. Four of those are honorary fixed posts –such as the Giant’s Gate – the main entrance to Prague Castle, but there are also mobile guard posts, which are far less visible.
Serving in the Prague Castle Guard is perceived as a special honour and one has to meet strict requirements to even be considered for the position. Jiří Havel, the Castle Guard’s press officer says the requirements have now been slightly relaxed.
“Until last year, the height requirement was between 178 and 188 centimeters. To broaden our recruitment options, we have now expanded the range to the current 175 to 195 centimeters. Applicants should not have tattoos, piercings or earrings on the face, neck or head — in other words, in visible places.”
For potential female applicants, the good news is that women have served in the Czech Republic’s Castle Guard since 2005. They perform the same duties and have the same responsibilities and requirements for physical and mental fitness as their male colleagues. The stated height range (175 to 195cm) is identical and the only condition is that they have to have their hair tied back when on duty.
Some Castle Guard units — such as musicians, dog handlers, cooks or motorcyclists — who do not perform guard duties and are therefore not visible to the public, do not have to meet the strict requirements that apply to guard units.
And how much does a Castle Guard member typically earn? “As of 1 January 2026, the starting net salary for a Castle Guard soldier in a basic position is around 50,000 crowns."
Related
-
Oscar-winner Theodor Pištěk turns 90 while holding first joint exhibition with son
The artist Theodor Pištěk, who won an Oscar in 1985 for his costumes for Amadeus, turned 90 on Tuesday.
