Stag Moat: Where kings kept their game
In the shadow of Prague Castle and its heaving masses of visitors hides a quiet and hidden valley. First used for defensive purposes, the Stag Moat offers visitors a space to relax and to explore for its historical curiosities.
The moat, through which the Brusnice stream flows, was originally used for defence. During the reign of Charles IV in the 14th century, the area was used to grow vines. Under Ferdinand I in the 16th century, the Powder Bridge was built through the middle of the moat, allowing better access to Prague Castle. In 2002, Josef Pleskot designed a modern bare-brick tunnel connecting the two parts of the former moat. Deer were introduced to the area by Rudolf for game for hunting, hence the name, ‘Stag Moat’.
The first President of Czechoslovakia Tomáš Garyk Masaryk was fond of the moat, too. In 1919, he received a gift of bears from Czech WWI legionnaires returning from Russia, whom he had given the right to return without prosecution. The bear house remains there until today, albeit without any bears. In the upper part of the Stag Moat, you can also find a statue of a night watchman gifted to President Masaryk for his 75th birthday by students of the sculpture and stonemasonry school in Hořice.
The Stag Moat is enjoyed by locals and tourists alike - if they’re lucky enough to know about it. The moat offers refuge from the summer heat, unique views of Prague Castle and the surrounding area, and a pedestrian shortcut to walk between the Hradčany and Klárov areas of Prague.
The Stag Moat is open from April to October, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
