Prague Castle (Pražský hrad) is a Gothic castle in Prague, Bohemia, Czech Republic, and a filming location for The Illusionist (2006) and Shanghai Knights (2003). Dating to c. 870 (founded), it was designed by Matthias of Arras and Peter Parler (St. Vitus Cathedral within the castle), and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is owned by Czech Republic (state property); administered by the Prague Castle Administration (Správa Pražského hradu), a state allowance organization founded by the Office of the President of the Republic.
Location: Prague, Bohemia, Czech Republic
Verified facts
- Located in Prague, Bohemia
confidence 75/100 · 3 independent sources · SRC-2385, SRC-10739, SRC-11270 - Appeared in The Illusionist (movie, 2006)
confidence 75/100 · 3 independent sources · SRC-2385, SRC-10739, SRC-11630 - Appeared in Shanghai Knights (movie, 2003)
confidence 75/100 · 3 independent sources · SRC-10739, SRC-10740, SRC-11097 - Built in c. 870 (founded)
confidence 85/100 · 3 independent sources · SRC-11270, SRC-11271, SRC-11872 - Designed by Matthias of Arras and Peter Parler (St. Vitus Cathedral within the castle)
confidence 90/100 · 4 independent sources · SRC-11270, SRC-11271, SRC-11873, SRC-12627 - Architectural style: Gothic
confidence 70/100 · 2 independent sources · SRC-13069, SRC-12139 - Historic designation: UNESCO World Heritage Site (part of Historic Centre of Prague), inscribed 1992
confidence 85/100 · 3 independent sources · SRC-12139, SRC-13069, SRC-13240 - Owned by Czech Republic (state property); administered by the Prague Castle Administration (Správa Pražského hradu), a state allowance organization founded by the Office of the President of the Republic (since 1993)
confidence 85/100 · 3 independent sources · SRC-13889, SRC-13890, SRC-14008 - Architectural style: Blend of Romanesque, Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque
confidence 75/100 · 3 independent sources · SRC-11270, SRC-12138, SRC-12625 - Historic designation: National Cultural Monument of the Czech Republic (since 1962); UNESCO World Heritage Site (part of the Historic Centre of Prague, inscribed 1992)
confidence 75/100 · 3 independent sources · SRC-11270, SRC-12139, SRC-12626
Evidence & sources
- SRC-10739 — https://www.praguego.com/mag/film-locations (Tier 3, reference; retrieved June 2026)
- SRC-10740 — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shanghai_Knights (Tier 1, reference; retrieved June 2026)
- SRC-11097 — Czech Film Commission — Shanghai Knights (Tier 2, reference; retrieved June 2026)
- SRC-11270 — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prague_Castle (Tier 1, reference; retrieved June 2026)
- SRC-11271 — https://www.machupicchu.org/prague-castle-architecture-gothic-to-baroque-unesco-marvel.htm (Tier 1, reference; retrieved June 2026)
- SRC-11630 — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Illusionist_(2006_film) (Tier 1, reference; retrieved June 2026)
- SRC-11872 — Prague Castle Tickets — Prague Castle History (Tier 2, reference; retrieved June 2026)
- SRC-11873 — Prague City Tourism (prague.eu) — Prague Castle, Cathedral of St Vitus (Tier 3, reference; retrieved June 2026)
- SRC-12138 — https://www.amazingczechia.com/sights/prague-castle/ (Tier 3, reference; retrieved June 2026)
- SRC-12139 — https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/616/ (Tier 1, reference; retrieved June 2026)
- SRC-12625 — Prague City Tourism (prague.eu) — Prague Castle, Old Royal Palace (Tier 2, reference; retrieved June 2026)
- SRC-12626 — Prague City Tourism (prague.eu) — official (Tier 3, reference; retrieved June 2026)
- SRC-12627 — Encyclopaedia Britannica — Petr Parler (Tier 2, reference; retrieved June 2026)
- SRC-13069 — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_World_Heritage_Sites_in_the_Czech_Republic (Tier 1, reference; retrieved June 2026)
- SRC-13240 — Narodni pamatkovy ustav (National Heritage Institute, Czech Republic) – Historic Centre of Prague (Tier 1, reference; retrieved June 2026)
- SRC-13889 — https://www.hrad.cz/en/president-of-the-cr/prague-castle-administration/statutes (Tier 1, reference; retrieved July 2026)
- SRC-13890 — https://ares.gov.cz/ekonomicke-subjekty-v-be/rest/ekonomicke-subjekty/49366076 (Tier 1, reference; retrieved July 2026)
- SRC-14008 — Czech Wikipedia — Správa Pražského hradu (Tier 1, reference; retrieved July 2026)
- SRC-2385 — The Worldwide Guide to Movie Locations — The Illusionist (Tier 2, reference; retrieved June 2026)
How we verify
Every fact above is independently corroborated by at least two reputable sources and
confidence-scored before publication. Claims that cannot clear that bar are withheld. We show the
street address only for non-residential public landmarks (museums, commercial and civic buildings,
publicly documented filming-location sites); the exact addresses of private residences and any
personal information are structurally barred from publication. Last reviewed June 2026.
Frequently asked questions
Where was Shanghai Knights filmed?
Prague Castle (Pražský hrad), in Prague, Bohemia, is a real-world filming location used for Shanghai Knights. This property has also appeared on screen in The Illusionist.
Where was The Illusionist filmed?
Prague Castle (Pražský hrad), in Prague, Bohemia, is a real-world filming location used for The Illusionist. This property has also appeared on screen in Shanghai Knights.
Who designed Prague Castle (Pražský hrad)?
Prague Castle (Pražský hrad) was designed by Matthias of Arras and Peter Parler (St. Vitus Cathedral within the castle).
Where is Prague Castle (Pražský hrad) located?
Prague Castle (Pražský hrad) is located in Prague, Bohemia.