The II. courtyard developed in the second half of the 16th century after the defence moat has been buried under. On the west side it is enclosed by wing of so-called New Palace, which was originally intended for lodging purposes and it is from the era of the empress Marie Terezie. Today in the passage between I. and II. courtyards there are enters into the representation area of the Prague´s castle. In the south wing, where once used to be a palace of the emperor Rudolf II. there are rooms of the president of the republic. On the opposite north side where in past used to be stables there is the Picture Gallery of Prague´s castle now. The space above the stables is occupied by two swank halls – the Spanish hall and Rudolf´s Gallery. The Spanish hall belongs to the most beautiful in Europe. It is used especially upon solemn occasion. Passing through the middle wing of New Palace, which is enlcosed by the II. courtyard on the east, you can come onto III. courtyard right in front of the west frontage of the Cathedral of St. Vitus. In the passage there is also employment entrance into the Office of the president of the republic. In the courtyard area there is exceling chapel of St. Cross, which is connected with the south linear wing of the Prague´s castle. The originally baroque chaple was established by architect Anselmo Lurago in 1756-1764 probably after the original project of the court architect Nicola Pacassi. In 1852-1856 the chapel was extened and externally modified in the classicist style. Then after 1918 it has lost its sacral meaning.
In the middle of the courtyard there is a monumental sand-stone Kohl Fountain standing with rich art decoration. Its foundation is dated to 1686 and in the past formed important component of a water regime of the czech monarch´s residence. The author of the sculptural decoration is Jeroným Kohl (about 1632-1709). In a close neighbourhood there is one more well with artistically embossed rails. Its depth is 25 metres and the water column has the height of about 10 metres.
