Devil's Column: A Fragment of Prague's Mystical Past

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Uncover Prague's mythical side at the Devil's Column in Vyšehrad, where legend meets historical intrigue.

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Devil's Column

The Devil's Column, located in Vyšehrad, Prague, is a mysterious structure consisting of three stone segments. Legend says it was hurled by the devil during a wager with a local priest, adding a supernatural element to this historical landmark.

A brief summary to Devil's Column

K Rotundě, Vyšehrad, Praha 2-Vyšehrad-Prague 2, 128 00, CZ

Monday 12 am-12 am
Tuesday 12 am-12 am
Wednesday 12 am-12 am
Thursday 12 am-12 am
Friday 12 am-12 am
Saturday 12 am-12 am
Sunday 12 am-12 am

Local tips

Explore the Basilica of St. Peter and Paul nearby to see the mural depicting the legend of the Devil's Column.
Take time to wander through the Vyšehrad cemetery, the final resting place of many famous Czech figures.
Enjoy panoramic views of Prague from the Vyšehrad fortress walls.

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Getting There

Public Transport

To reach the Devil's Column using public transport, take Metro Line C to Vyšehrad station. From the station, it's approximately a 10-minute walk to the Vyšehrad complex. Alternatively, take tram lines 7, 14, 18, or 24 to the Albertov stop, which is about a 6-minute walk to Vyšehrad. A 30-minute ticket costs 30 CZK, and a 90-minute ticket is 40 CZK. A 24-hour pass costs 120 CZK.
Walking

From within Vyšehrad, the Devil's Column is located behind the Basilica of St Peter and St Paul. Follow the signs within the complex towards the basilica; the column is easily accessible on foot. There are no costs associated with reaching the column once inside Vyšehrad.
Taxi

Taxis can drop you off near the Brick Gate of Vyšehrad or at the Vyšehrad metro station. From either location, it's a short walk to the Devil's Column. Taxi fares in Prague have a base fare of 60 CZK, with a price of 36 CZK per kilometer. A short taxi ride from Prague city center to Vyšehrad would likely cost between 115 CZK and 366 CZK, depending on the distance.

Discover more about Devil's Column

Nestled within the historic Vyšehrad complex in Prague, near the Basilica of St. Peter and Paul, lies the Devil's Column, a peculiar assembly of three weathered stone cylinders. These stones, slightly misaligned, stand as a testament to Prague's rich tapestry of legends and historical intrigue. The most popular legend tells of a priest who made a bet with the devil. The priest wagered his soul that he could complete a mass before the devil could retrieve a pillar from St. Peter's Basilica in Rome. The devil, in a hurry, allegedly stole the column from the Basilica of Our Lady in Trastevere, a closer church in Rome. However, St. Peter intervened, throwing the devil into the sea and delaying his return. The priest completed the mass in time, and the enraged devil hurled the column at the church, shattering it into three pieces. A mural inside the Basilica of St. Peter and Paul depicts this very scene. While the legend is captivating, scholars suggest a more grounded origin. The stones are likely fragments of medieval granodiorite columns from one of Vyšehrad's earlier church buildings, possibly dating back to the 11th century. Geologists trace the stone's origin to quarries in the lower Posázaví region of central Bohemia. Regardless of its true origin, the Devil's Column remains a compelling site, inviting visitors to ponder the intersection of myth and history in the heart of Prague.