2011-12-20 15:12 CET In connection with memorial tribute to Václav Havel operation of Castle will be limited.

National days of mourning have been declared for the during 21–23 December to commemorate the passing of Václav Havel, the first president of the Czech Republic. Operation of will be limited, and certain casinos also will be closed. Christmas concerts of the Czech Philharmonic have been cancelled, and various theatres will cancel their shows on an individual basis.

On Wednesday, 21 December, the area of Prague Castle will be closed until 1:00 pm, as at 10:00 am the funeral procession paying tribute to Václav Havel will begin from the area of the Castle Guard barracks on Loretánská Street. It will continue across Hradčanské Square and will enter the Castle area through the Giants’ Gate, then on through the first, second and third courtyards into the Old Royal Palace.

The entire route of the funeral procession from Loretánské Square to the Vladislav Hall will be lined by soldiers, numbering 600 in total. The procession will also be joined by standard bearers of historical banners for legions from World War I, the First Republic and World War II. The procession will include as well 18 battle banners for the current units of the Czech Army given by Havel to the soldiers when he held the presidential office.

The public will be able to observe the funeral procession from Hradčanské Square and from the first and second Castle courtyards. The assembly in the Vladislav Hall will also be transmitted on large screens situated in the second Castle courtyard and in Hradčanské Square. People will pay their final respects to Havel on Friday, 23 December. Archbishop Duka will conduct a funeral service in St. Vitus Cathedral at noon, in the presence of Czech and foreign dignitaries.

Changes in the operation of Prague Castle

The Old Royal Palace, including the exhibition The Story of the Prague Castle will be closed from 3:00 pm on 19 December until 25 December 2011.

Apart from selected places, the area of Prague Castle will be closed on Wednesday, 21 December 2011 until 1:00 pm.

The buildings of Prague Castle will be closed to visitors from 21 December 2011 to 23 December 2011.

The concert Adventus Domini in the Saint George Basilica set for Wednesday, 21 December 2011, beginning at 8:00 pm, has been cancelled.

The exhibitions “The Tsar’s Court under the Reign of the Romanovs” and “The Treasure of St. Vitus” also will be closed on 21 and 23 December 2011. Both exhibitions will be open on Thursday, 22 December 2011, from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm.

CzechTourism is a state-funded agency of the Ministry for Regional Development. Its main activity is to promote the Czech Republic as an attractive tourist destination. More information is available at http://scandinavia.czechtourism.com.

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