Prascodymium-aluminum (PrAlO3) perovskite crystals have been grown by the Czochralski method for the first time, to our knowledge. An almost periodic microtwin structure has been observed in the as-grown crystals, and a three-dimensional texturing of the polished surfaces has been observed. Optical absorption and emission spectra have been investigated at room temperature for crystals containing only Pr3- ions as well as for crystals containing a mixture of Pr3+/Pr4+ ions. The observed broad emission band for the as-grown crystals could lead to a future potential application as a tunable laser for the whole visible range. (c) 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.