Photo: Powder Tower Downtown Prague Czech Republic

The Powder Tower in downtown Prague in the Czech Republic is 65 metres tall and is the gateway to the 'Royal Route', which is the path through the Old Town of Prague, over the Charles Bridge and up to Prague's castle.

The Powder Tower in downtown Prague in the Czech Republic, is one of the most recognizable structures in the ancient city. It was started in 1475, when King Vladislav was on the throne, and was built at the same site as an 11th century gate, one of the original 13 gates that led into the ancient town.

Matous Rejsek was the master builder who worked on the tower, and at one point he had to suspend building between 1477 and 1485 because riots from the people of the city forced King Vladislav to flee for his life. It was built in the Gothic style of architecture and was designed after another 14th Century Old Town Bridge Tower.

It was first called the Mountain Tower, but as it was used for gunpowder storage in the 17th century, it became known as the Powder Tower. ... continue below the picture...

... Many people visit this tower today as it has an extensive history and it is the gateway over the famous Charles Bridge and up the the castle in Prague.

During the Prussian occupation of the city in 1757, this tower was badly damaged and most of it had to be rebuilt between 1875 and 1886 by Josef Mocker and it was renovated again in the 1990s as part of a renovation project throughout the whole of Prague.

Powder Tower in downtown Prague, Czech Republic, Europe.