Prague Castle, the largest ancient castle complex in the world and the seat of the Czech President, has removed most of its security barriers and entry controls. President Petr Pavel announced the decision on Monday, stating that the physical barriers preventing vehicles from entering the area will remain, but visitors and people who want to walk around the Hradčany area will now only face random checks if deemed necessary by police officers.

The decision to remove the barriers comes after concerns were raised about the long lines and strong emotions they created for visitors. The concrete blocks preventing vehicles from entering the castle grounds will remain as there is currently no alternative to protect the castle from vehicle entry.

The new security measures mean that police officers will use information from operational units and the camera system to evaluate the behaviour of visitors and luggage. Based on their experience, officers will then decide when to exercise their authority and conduct random checks on visitors.

The new measures will be implemented at four of the five entrances to the Prague Castle grounds, with one barrier being kept for practical reasons. The police chief emphasized that the infrastructure will be kept at all entrances as the security situation could change in the future, and this would necessitate different measures.

The announcement has been welcomed by many people, including tourists and locals who have complained about the long lines and inconvenience caused by the security barriers. However, some have expressed concern about the potential security risks associated with the new measures.

Prague Castle is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most popular tourist attractions in Prague. The removal of most of the security barriers and entry controls is expected to make it easier and more pleasant for visitors to explore the castle complex and its surroundings.

Article by Prague Forum