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PLACES OF INTEREST
PRAGUE CASTLE
The interiors of the historic monuments are accessible to view with the ticket of Prague Castle Administration. The gardens of Prague castle are open daily 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. (free entrance).
Monuments accessible with a ticket
The Old Royal Palace, the St. Vitus' Cathedral - the historical part (the choir, crypt and tower), the basilica of St. George, the Mihulka ramparts, the Golden Lane are part of sighseeing tour of the Prague Castle.
The most of the monuments are accessible for the wheel-chairs.(St. Vitus Cathedral (the main entrance), Old Royal Palace (Vladislav Hall), St. George Basilica, Prague Castle Gallery, Royal Summer Palace, Ball-game Hall, Imperial Stables, Spanish Hall, Rudolph's Gallery from the Broad Corridor, the Gardens of the Prague Castle, WC near St. Vitus Cathedral.)
The Changing of the Guard take place every hour on the hour. At noon it includes a fanfare and the flag ceremony on the Ist courtyards..
Tour A: (St Vitus's Cathedral, the Old Royal Palace, the Basilica of St George, the Powder Tower and the Golden Land /Dalibor Tower)
Tour B: (St Vitus's Cathedral, the Old Royal Palace and the Golden Lane /Dalibor Tower)
Tour C: (the Golden Lane /Dalibor Tower)
Tickets:
TOUR A full price 350 CZK, halp price 175 CZK, Falimy Tickets 520 CZK
TOUR B full price 220 CZK, halp price 110 CZK, Falimy Tickets 330 CZK
TOUR C full price 50 CZK, Falimy Tickets 100 CZK
CHARLES BRIDGE
Karlův most joins Staré Město (Old Town) and the Malá Strana (Little Quarter) and is one of the world's most beautiful bridges. The bridge was built in 1357, but the figures of saints were added during the 17th century. They symbolise the confidence of the Catholic Austrian's triumph over the Protestant Hussites. The bridge is thronged all day with tourists, while at night it offers wonderful views of the illuminated castle and Old Town. Go at dawn to be alone and witness the saints emerging from the mist.
WENCESLAS SQUARE
Václavské náměstí is actually a boulevard running down from the National Museum and the equestrian statue of Saint Wenceslas to Můstek, formerly the site of of a city gate and drawbridge. This is where crowds traditionally come to demonstrate against their incomperent rulers, and this was where, in 1989, thousands gathered to shake their keys in celebration of the death of the Communist Party. Rows of shops, hotels (note the Art Nouveau glory of Hotel Europa) and nightclubs flank the pavements, and by night it can get a bit sleasy. Thankfully, there are plans to rid the square of cars, bury the highway in front of the museum in a tunnel and have tram N°11 make a come-back.
MUNICIPAL HOUSE / Obecní Dům
The magnificent Obecní Dům building holds two restaurants, a super café, an American bar, a gallery, shop and classical music venue. Built between 1905 and 1910 in the architecturally stunning Art Nouveau style, the Municipal House has been painstakingly restored to its former glory. It was here that the Czechoslovakian state was signed into being on October 28, 1918. It was also here in 1989 that communist bureaucrats and revolution leaders of the Civic Forum discussed the velvet transfer of power and the state's transformation to democracy.
NATIONAL THEATRE / Nلrodnي divadlo
This lavish neo-Renaissance building on the bank of the Vltava, with its golden crown of chariot-driving women, is Prague's National Theatre. The building was completed in 1881 and was almost immediately destroyed by fire. It reopened in 1883. See Events for the current programme.
OLD TOWN SQUARE / Staroměstské náměstí
The indisputable heart of Prague. This vast open space is flanked by a pleasing blend of carefully restored architectural styles: Gothic, Renaissance, Baroque and neo-styles. The square is notable for its constant hum of activity, day and night, and a long history as centre stage for so many of the city's defining moments, from the execution of preacher J. ژelivsk in 1422, to the attacks on Soviet tanks with Molotov cocktails in 1968. Towering above the square, half-hidden behind a row of houses, is the fairy-turreted Tn Church. The centrepiece of the square is a memorial to Jan Hus. It was draped in swastikas by the Nazis and in black cloth to mourn the passing of the Prague Spring.
TOWN HALL 7 ASTRONOMICAL CLOCK / Staromestska radnice
The 14th century Town Hall complex features a tower with an astronomical clock, added in the 15th century. Every hour on the hour Jesus and his disciples lead a pageant that includes the allegorical figures of Death, the Turk, the Miser, the Fool and the Rooster. It sounds more impressive than it actually is, but it's still worth a look. The climb or lift up the tower is rewarded by the stunning views. Admission 50/40/10Kč.
VYSEHRAD
The rocky cliff-top boasts Prague's second castle. In the hearts and minds of many Czechs, Vysehrad symbolises the birth of the Czech nation and is shrouded in legend and myth. This is apparently the spot where Princess Libuڑe stood and predicted the rise of a great city. Literally translated as 'high castle', it was probably founded in the middle of the 10th century. In 972 Prince Boleslav II built the royal mint here, and in 1085 Vratislav II selected it as his residence. Over the following centuries successive kings remodelled the palace and fortress, but moved their permanent home across the river. Within the fortress confines is the national cemetery (Vyšehradský hřbitov), which from the 1870s became the final resting place of many of the most famous Czech writers and composers, including Jan Neruda, Bedřich Smetana and Antonín Dvořák.
Sights
Since the fall of the Iron Curtain, Prague is fastly becoming one of Europe's (and the world's) most popular tourist destinations. Prague was one of the few European cities relatively untouched during the World Wars, allowing its historic architecture to stay true to form. There are lots of old buildings, many with beautiful murals on them. It contains one of the world's most pristine and varied collections of architecture, from Art Nouveau to Baroque, Renaissance, Cubist, Gothic, Neo-Classical and ultra-modern. Some of its many tourist attractions are:
- Old Town (Staré Město)
- Lesser Quarter (Malل Strana)
- Prague Castle (the largest castle in the world) with its St. Vitus Cathedral
- The Charles Bridge
- The Lennon Wall
- Vinohrady
- Old Town Square and the Astronomical Clock
- Josefov (the old Jewish quarter)
- Wenceslas Square
- National Museum
- Vyﾚehrad castle
- Petnsk rozhledna, an observation tower, which is nearly a 1:5 copy of the Eiffel Tower
- ﾎiﾞkov Television Tower with observation deck
- ﾎiﾞkov cemetery, location of Franz Kafka's grave
- The Metronome, a giant, functional metronome that looms over the city
- The Dancing Building (Fred and Ginger)
- Places connected to writers living in the city.
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