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For those who have never considered any city to be beautiful,
this may be their one exception. Virtually untouched by World
War II, Prague is one of the few European cities to display
such an array of authentic architecture including its magical
castle that sits above the city and lights up the sky at night.
Getting there
By train
Trains are an easy way to get to Prague and run daily from
most major European cities with Paris, Amsterdam, Munich
and Vienna being some of the major hubs.
By bus
There is a daily bus from Vienna as well as buses that
run a few times a week from Munich.
By plane
Prague Ruzyne is the country's only international airport
and is about 12 miles west of the city. If travelling from
America, the Czech national carrier CSA (Ceské
Aerolinie) operates a code share agreement with Delta Airlines
for flights from New York JFK and other major U.S.
cities. Direct flights to Prague from east coast cities such
as New York and Atlanta are mostly via European
cities such as Paris, Rome and Milan, although
there is a non-stop option.
From the UK, there are a myriad of flight options ranging
from travel packages to standard flights with British Airways,
KLM, CSA, and others. Go Airline (part of easyJet)
offers a no frills budget price Stansted to Prague flight
which is popular with those who live in central London. There
is also a cheaper option of flying to Vienna and then
taking the train into Prague. If coming from Australia or
New Zealand, flights are usually routed through Singapore
and Zurich.
Getting around
Prague's public transport system is probably the best way
to get around the city, just make sure that you validate your
ticket in one of the yellow machines in the metro station
or on the bus or tram after buying it so that officials do
not try to fine you. Also, watch out for pickpockets on the
more touristy routes. You can buy one ticket that can be used
for all types of public transportation or multi-day passes,
which are cheaper and more convenient. If you are taking a
train out of the city, most leave from Praha Masrykovo
Nadrazi, Praha Hlavni Nadrazi or Praha Smichov stations,
and all are metro accessible. The best way to see the historical
parts of the city is by foot and it is also possible to rent
bikes for longer distances.
Top Sights
Prague Castle and Hradcany
The most famous site in Prague is the Prague Castle
which presides over the city from a hill above the Vltava
River. Built in the 9th century, it has always been the
home to the Czech government, including the current president,
and prize winning playwright, Vaclav Havel. It has
three courtyards, the beautiful gardens of Na Valech
and Rajska Zahrada, and a fantastic view from the top
of the cathedral, if you can make the climb. Other highlights
include the Prague Castle Gallery, the Tomb of St
Wenceslas, the Old Royal Palace, the Basilica
of St George, and the Convent of St George, home
to the National Gallery's collection of Czech art from the
16th to 18th centuries. Visitors should know not to miss the
Golden Lane, which is behind the basilica. This is
a row of tiny houses which were once part of a 16th-century
tradesmen's quarter including the house that Frank Kafka
lived and wrote in at number 22. The castle gets very crowded
so it may be advisable to visit it early in the morning. A
few minutes before noon each day you can catch the changing
of guards.
Hradcany is the area near the castle that stretches
along a hilltop west of the river and holds some of Prague's
most impressive churches and museums. You can reach this area
by taking tram 22 up the hill to the Pohorelec stop. Check
out Strahov Library, the largest monastic library in
the country, Cernin Palace, and the Prague Loreta
which houses a treasure of gold, pearls, and diamonds. To
catch a glimpse of some Goyas, go to the main branch of the
National Gallery nearby which holds the country's main
collection of 14th-18th-century European paintings.
Jewish Quarter (Josefov)
Prague's former Jewish ghetto is a unique and interesting
area of the city. The Jewish community in Prague was wiped
out during World War II and today only a few thousand Jews
live in Prague, compared with approximately 50,000 in the
1930's. In 1942, the Nazis brought objects to this area with
plans to open a "museum of an extinct race." The
Jewish Quarter is located in the Old Town within Karprova,
Dlouha, and Kozi streets. There are old synagogues
built in different architectural styles and the Old Jewish
Cemetery. It is all part of the Prague Jewish Museum
and you have to pay an entrance fee to enter, but it is well
worth seeing.
Stare Mesto (Old Town)
Often called the "heart of Prague," the Old Town
is a great place to walk around and enjoy the beautiful architecture
while stumbling on cafes and galleries as you head toward
the Old Town Square. The square is host to the famous
Astrological Clock on the Old Town Hall where
crowds gather to watch the glockenspiel that performs hourly.
Charles Bridge, which connects Mala Strana and the
Old Town, is another attraction that you won't be able to
miss. Completed in 1400 and the most famous bridge in Prague,
it offers nice views that you will probably share with hundreds
of other tourists, street musicians, and artists unless you
cross it early in the morning.
Mala Strana (Small Quarter)
Although this area is called the Small Quarter or Lesser
Town, many would say this is the prettiest part of Prague.
Tucked beneath the Prague Castle on the hill before the Vltava
River, it is a charming area of renaissance and baroque palaces
and buildings that were built in the 17th and 18th centuries
by Catholic clerks and nobles. Visit the beautiful Church
of Nicolas, one of the most impressive baroque buildings
in Prague. Also, go over to Kampa Island, the most
picturesque part of Mala Strana. On the island, buildings
appear to rise out of the water and you can find another great
view of the city from its bank.
Parks and city views
Petrin Hill is a public park with Petrin Tower,
a small copy of the Eiffel Tower, perched on top. You can
take a funicular or walk up the hill and climb the tower for
a great view of the Prague skyline. There is also a rose garden,
maze, and observatory at the top.
Letna, a large park across from the center of the city,
offers a panoramic view which you can get to easiest by tram.
There is a restaurant and a clearing in the northern part
where during the Velvet Revolution of 1989, one and
a half million people gathered to hear future President
Vaclav Havel speak.
Entertainment
Prague's history is seen not only seen in its buildings
but in its fantastic arts scene. The city offers a wealth
of performances with everything from classical music concerts
performed in Baroque churches to black light theatre, which
originated in Prague in 1961. The annual Prague Spring
Music Festival has become world famous and showcases ensembles
and symphony orchestras from numerous countries. While the
traditional classical music concerts remain the most prevalent,
new experimental theater groups have made their appearance
and all forms of the arts continue to expand rapidly. The
main venues for classical music, which are either historic
concert halls or churches, are the Rudolfinum, the
Obecni dum, and St. Nicholas Church. Not every
concert advertised in leaflets on the street are legitimate,
however, so be careful what you sign up for. Some tourists
have ended up in a church basement watching students perform.
There are also opera and ballet performances as well as dozens
of jazz clubs. The city has become known for its nightclubs
and rock scenes and there are plenty of places where you can
catch a live band, dance the night away at a disco, or just
drink cheap Czech beer with the locals.
Sights Outside the City
Castles
Two fairytale castles that can be reached within a day trip
of Prague are Karlstejn Castle and Konopiste Chateau.
Karlstejn is only 20 miles away from Prague's city centre
and the 14th century Gothic castle sits on a ridge above a
small village. Konopiste is a wonderfully restored French
style castle between Prague and the town of Tabor. Both castles
have guided tours available.
Kutna Hora
Kutna Hora is a charming medieval town 66 miles east of Prague.
This town has been well preserved because after the silver
mining industry ended, the town was virtually abandoned. The
greatest monument in the town is the Cathedral of St Barbara,
a gothic cathedral. There is also a museum describing the
history of silver mining which includes a visit to a historic
mine. A ten minute walk away in the town of Sedlec,
there is an ossuary in All Saints Church, which has
an interior made completely of human bones - a must see even
for the most faint hearted. |
