Prague Architecture and Sights
|
|
Czech Republic Prague Architecture and Sights |
|
Prague Castle is the most popular and visited sight in Prague. Its history goes back to the 9th century and has always been the seat of the Czech rulers. Nowadays it is the seat of the president Vaclav Havel. The castle has three courtyards. There are the information office, restrooms, post office, money exchange, emergency, restaurant, fast food and shops. Do not miss to visit St Vitus Cathedral (Gothic landmark), beautiful gardens Na valech and Rajska zahrada (go down the stairs from the third courtyard), Golden Lane (also visit the second floor). The castle is open daily from 5 am to 11 pm (to midnight from April to September). Most sights are open from 9 am to 5 pm except Monday.
Small Quarter (Mala Strana) is squeezed on the hill between the Prague Castle and Vltava river. Narrow streets, Renaissance buildings and palaces, Baroque churches and palaces give Mala Strana its present charm. Do not forget to visit the Church of St. Nicholas, beautiful church with huge green cupola. It is open from 9 am to 5:30 pm in summer, to 3:30 in winter.
Kampa is the most picturesque part of Mala Strana. As a matter of fact it is an island. Tourists often call it Prague's Venice because buildings rise straight out of water. Do not forget to visit the Kampa park. There are a lot of young foreign (and mostly flower) people lying on the grass and playing music every weekend in summer. Also do not miss John Lennon Wall.
The most famous bridge in Prague was completed in about 1400. It is really nice walk across the bridge. You could admire Baroque statuary, grand views up and down the river. There is an army of tourists squeezing on the bridge in summer the whole day. To have the bridge to yourself you should get there by about 8 am. In summer you can climb up into the two towers at the ends of the bridge.
Old Town has been working heart of Prague ever since the 10th century. Many of buildings have Gothic insides and Romanesque basements. Many of buildings received its Baroque face in rebuilding in 17th and 18th centuries after a huge fire. Do not forget to walk through the Royal Way from Powder Tower, down Celetna to Old Town Square along Karlova and over the Charles Bridge to Mala Strana and Prague Castle.
Square has always been Prague's heart since the 10th century and was its main marketplace until the beginning of the century. Do not forget to visit Old Town Hall (open daily from 9 am to 5 pm except Monday) with its Astronomical Clock. Enjoy beautiful view from its the 60 meter tower. Visitor Center is located next to the astronomical clock. Do not miss the gothic Church of Our Lady Before Tyn.
The square has always been the center of cultural, financial and everyday life. There are a lot of theaters, cinemas, restaurants, shops, stores and banks around. Do not miss to visit St Wenceslas Statue near metro station Muzeum and enjoy the view on the square from the stairs in front of the National Museum.
This 318 meter hill is actually a network of eight parks. It is great for cool, quiet and romantic walks and for jogging. Petrin is easily accessible by foot from Hradcany and Strahov or by the cable car (daily from 9:15 am to 8:45 pm every 10 or 15 minutes) from Ujezd. There is the Petrin Tower, the Observatory and The Maze at the top of the hill. Do not forget to visit the rose flower garden next to the Observatory. It is beautiful in May and June.
From many parts of Prague you can see the Eiffel Tower silhouette on the horizon. This small copy of Eiffel Tower is located on Petrin Hill. Tower was built for the Prague Exposition in 1891. You can climb its 299 steps for only 25 Kc daily from 9:30 am to 6 pm. Some of the best views of Prague are from here.
Prague's former Jewish ghetto is located in the Old Town within Kaprova, Dlouha and Kozi streets. The Jewish community was wiped out by the Nazis during World War II. Today a few thousand Jews live in Prague, compared with some 50.000 in the 1930s. Do not miss the Old-New Synagogue, High Synagogue and Old Jewish Cemetery. You can also visit Jewish Town Hall, Klaus Synagogue, Ceremonial Hall, Pinkas Synagogue, Maisel Synagogue and Spanish Synagogue.
