Vyšehrad to Open Attic Tours of the Basilica of St Peter and St Paul from September 2026

The Vyšehrad Chapter has announced that from September 2026, guided tours will open to the roof structure of the Basilica of St Peter and St Paul at Vyšehrad in Prague — a unique space 10 metres high and 50 metres long above the main nave, offering panoramic views over the city.

What visitors will see

Guests will be able to see the impressive space beneath the roof with their own eyes, trace the marks left by construction work from different historical periods — from Gothic times to the present day — and learn about the structural features of the roof trusses, as well as appreciate the craftsmanship of the restorers who brought the roof back to life. The tour will also reveal technical details of how the entire roof system works. But the real reward for visitors will be the breathtaking views over Prague, Hradčany, the Old Town and the New Town.

Visiting conditions

Because of limited space, groups will be small — up to 15 people — and visits will only be possible with a guide. The attic is neither heated nor climate-controlled, so visitors should dress accordingly. Each guest will need to climb roughly 20 metres above the level of the square via a staircase, so the route requires a basic level of fitness. Inside the attic, people will move along safe walkways fitted with railings, though parents will need to keep a close eye on children. The organisers do not recommend the tour for people prone to dizziness or those with limited mobility.

A large-scale roof restoration

The Vyšehrad basilica is protected from the elements by a roof of wooden trusses and slate tiles. After 150 years, much of the roofing had fallen into disrepair: in places, the slate tiles had cracked, shifted, or were missing altogether, worn down by both natural ageing and the harsh conditions of a major city.

That is why, between 2024 and 2026, the Vyšehrad Chapter carried out a large-scale repair of the church's damaged roof. The project involved replacing the entire roof covering above the main and southern naves of the basilica — some 1,650 square metres in total — which required 59,400 slate tiles. The roof over the northern nave had already been repaired back in 2012–2013. Besides the covering, restorers also had to replace rotted and damaged beams. Thanks to this work, the roof has, for the first time in decades, regained the ornamental pattern designed for the basilica by architect Josef Mocker in the 1870s.

It was precisely the scale of the restoration that gave specialists the idea of opening this remarkable space to the public — and so elements were added to the project that will make this attic the first of its kind in Prague accessible to visitors.

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Source: kudyznudy.cz