Prague Castle premises to close for tourists during inauguration

Prague, March 4 (CTK) - Prague Castle's tourist premises and the adjacent National Gallery buildings will be closed for tourists during the inauguration of Milos Zeman as new Czech president on Friday morning, the Prague Castle Administration has announced on its website.

"On Friday, March 8, 2013, all of Prague Castle's tourist premises will be open from 12:30 only," the Administration said.

Acting on the Presidential Office's request, the National Gallery (NG) will close the Schwarzenberg and Sternberg palaces, situated near Prague Castle and offering exhibitions of Baroque and ancient, medieval and Renaissance arts, all the day on Friday, NG spokeswoman Eva Kolerusova told CTK.

The police, too, are preparing to secure a smooth course of the inauguration ceremony. They will present details on the prepared measures in the days to come, their spokeswoman Andrea Zoulova said.

President-elect Zeman, former socialist prime minister who emerged victorious from the direct presidential contest in January, will arrive at Prague Castle at 9:00. One hour later, a joint session of the two houses of parliament will start, during which Zeman will be sworn-in.

A 20-minute military parade will follow at the Castle's third courtyard at 11:00.

Afterwards, the president will visit St Vitus's Cathedral to lay flowers at the grave of St Wenceslas.

Shortly before noon, he will lay a wreath at the statue of Tomas Garrigue Masaryk, the first Czechoslovak president, at the nearby Hradcanske square where he will meet citizens,

His inauguration programme will end by his joint launch with political representatives that is to last until 14:00.