Abstract
When the Habsburg dynasty came to the Bohemian throne in 1526 and then ruled the lands of the Bohemian Crown for almost four centuries, its first member, Ferdinand I, entered a splendid royal palace in Prague, standing in the centre of the extensive area of Prague Castle. Less than a century later, however, the situation there was completely different.
The Bohemian King and Holy Roman Emperor Rudolf II resided on the very edge of Prague Castle, in a topographically unsuitable place, and the Old Royal Palace was left to the offices of the Bohemian Crown and traders. Even though this was a radical change and one of the most important events in the history of Prague Castle, the questions of why, when and how this great transfer of residence took place, fundamental to the understanding of this central location of the Czech State, have not yet been asked.
The entire process, which was completed by Rudolf II, can, however, be traced in detail and answer the questions asked here for the first time.