If you are an expert in classical music, you have probably heard about the opera Dalibor by the famous Czech composer Bedřich Smetana – the tragic story of chivalry, knightly honour and love. In that case, you might guess that the name of the tower is somehow connected with its hero.
Located on the eastern side of the Golden Lane, the Daliborka tower was built in 1496 during the reign of Vladislav Jagelonsky. Until the 18th century it was used as a dungeon for those who dared to oppose the Crown – first only the nobles, later all social classes.
Dalibor, its most famous inmate, was a young knight from the village of Kozojedy. According to a popular legend, he supported the poor who participated in a peasant rebellion by sheltering them in his house, which cost him an imprisonment with the following death sentence.
As legend has it, Dalibor learnt to play the violin while being kept within these dark walls and everyone who heard the touching sounds of music felt compassion for his unfair fate. The date of Dalibor’s execution became known when the beautiful violin melodies ceased.
Starting from 1783, the Daliborka tower has been open for the public. Take a look at this part of late-Gothic fortifications of Prague Castle, which still has some medieval torture instruments on display. You can peek into the former dungeon, located in the basement. The atmosphere is quite grim, as befits the place, but is absolutely steeped in history – as it was back in the Middle Ages.
