Top ten things to see
1. Prague Castle
Prague's majestic Castle overlooks the rest of the city from a hilltop on the west bank of the Vltava River. It was founded in the 9th century, though it has been rebuilt and renovated several times over the intervening years. The castle's thick walls enclose a number of interesting sights, including the towering, Gothic St. Vitus Cathedral, which after 600 years of on-again, off-again construction was finally finished in 1929. Also within the castle walls is the Old Royal Palace, whose Vladislav Hall is the site where Czech leaders have been elected or sworn into office for centuries
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2. Stare MestoStare
Mesto, or Old Town, is Prague's charming medieval district. Its centerpiece is the charming Old Town Square, surrounded by eight tall towers. Here you'll find the Old Town Hall, most famous for its astronomical clock that features an hourly performance by the figures of Christ and the Apostles; climb the building's tower to get an up-close-and-personal view of the show. Allow yourself some time to get lost amid the cobblestone streets of the Old Town and soak up the city's historic atmosphere.
3. Charles Bridge
One of the city's most popular sights is Charles Bridge, crowded with tourists, portrait artists and vendors throughout the day. (For a more intimate experience, come back in the early morning or late evening and look out over the river and the city lights.) The bridge was built in 1357 and served as the only one in Prague until 1841. It's topped with some 30 statues, as well as a monument marking the spot where St. John Nepomuk was thrown to his death after refusing to tell King Wenceslas IV the details of the adulterous queen's confession.
4. Jewish Quarter
Josefov, Prague's Jewish Quarter, is located within Stare Mesto near the Old Town Square. Prague's Jews lived here within the protection of a 12-foot wall until the late 1800's, when much of the Jewish Quarter was demolished to build a bourgeois district in its place. Then, with the advent of World War II, most of the Jews were evacuated and sent to Nazi death camps. What remains are a number of synagogues as well as the Old Jewish Cemetery, a poignant reminder of all who came before. Most of the area's attractions are looked after by Prague's Jewish Museum, so one ticket will get you into nearly all of the area's attractions. Don't miss the Pinkas Synagogue, which contains a memorial to more than 77,000 of the nation's Jews who were killed in Holocaust.
5. Mucha Museum
The Mucha Museum is dedicated to the work of Alphonse Mucha, the celebrated Art Nouveau artist best known for the publicity posters he made for actress Sarah Bernhardt. On display here are the artist's groundbreaking drawings, posters, oil paintings, sketches and more, most of them made during his time living in Paris at the turn of the 20th century. There is also a replica of the artist's Paris studio, including original furniture and memorabilia.
6. Church of Our Lady Before Tyn
A Gothic structure nestled across from the Old Town Hall in the heart of Stare Mesto, the Church of Our Lady Before Tyn is distinguished by its twin spires, which dominate the surrounding landscape. None of the original church, which dates as far back as 1135, remains; the present-day building may have been started around 1360. The church is the burial place of astronomer Tycho Brache, who died in 1601.
7. Prague Spring
Starting on May 12 of each year (the day that Czech composer Bedrich Smetana died), Prague hosts one of the world's top classical music festivals, Prague Spring. The program starts each year with the performance of Smetana's Ma vlast and ends on June 2 with Beethoven's Ninth Symphony. In between are weeks of concerts by prestigious orchestras from around Europe and the world.
8. Dancing House
In a city that lives and breathes history, Prague's Dancing House stands out as a striking example of modern architecture. Opened in 1996 and designed by American architect Frank Gehry, the Dancing House is made of two attached buildings with unusual curving lines and a dynamic, fluid shape. The Dancing House has been compared to Ginger Rogers and Fred Astaire (the jutting curve of the building on the left is said to represent Ginger's skirt). The building now houses the restaurant La Perle de Prague.
9. St. Nicholas Church
St. Nicholas Church is located in the Mala Strana (or Lesser Town) district and is the city's most distinguished Baroque building, from its impressive dome and bell tower to the intricate chapels and frescos within its soaring interior. Mozart is said to have played the organ here during a visit to Prague.
10. Karlstejn Castle
Located atop a hill in Bohemia some 45 minutes by train outside of Prague, Karlstejn Castle is a fairy-tale vision. It was built in 1348 at the request of Holy Roman Emperor Charles IV, who wanted a place to store holy relics and the Empire's crown jewels. The castle's current neo-Gothic incarnation dates from the late 1800's. Inside you'll find medieval paintings, a portrait gallery and the bejeweled Chapel of the Holy Cross.
Prague's majestic Castle overlooks the rest of the city from a hilltop on the west bank of the Vltava River. It was founded in the 9th century, though it has been rebuilt and renovated several times over the intervening years. The castle's thick walls enclose a number of interesting sights, including the towering, Gothic St. Vitus Cathedral, which after 600 years of on-again, off-again construction was finally finished in 1929. Also within the castle walls is the Old Royal Palace, whose Vladislav Hall is the site where Czech leaders have been elected or sworn into office for centuries.
2. Stare MestoStare
Mesto, or Old Town, is Prague's charming medieval district. Its centerpiece is the charming Old Town Square, surrounded by eight tall towers. Here you'll find the Old Town Hall, most famous for its astronomical clock that features an hourly performance by the figures of Christ and the Apostles; climb the building's tower to get an up-close-and-personal view of the show. Allow yourself some time to get lost amid the cobblestone streets of the Old Town and soak up the city's historic atmosphere.3. Charles Bridge
One of the city's most popular sights is Charles Bridge, crowded with tourists, portrait artists and vendors throughout the day. (For a more intimate experience, come back in the early morning or late evening and look out over the river and the city lights.) The bridge was built in 1357 and served as the only one in Prague until 1841. It's topped with some 30 statues, as well as a monument marking the spot where St. John Nepomuk was thrown to his death after refusing to tell King Wenceslas IV the details of the adulterous queen's confession.4. Jewish Quarter
Josefov, Prague's Jewish Quarter, is located within Stare Mesto near the Old Town Square. Prague's Jews lived here within the protection of a 12-foot wall until the late 1800's, when much of the Jewish Quarter was demolished to build a bourgeois district in its place. Then, with the advent of World War II, most of the Jews were evacuated and sent to Nazi death camps. What remains are a number of synagogues as well as the Old Jewish Cemetery, a poignant reminder of all who came before. Most of the area's attractions are looked after by Prague's Jewish Museum, so one ticket will get you into nearly all of the area's attractions. Don't miss the Pinkas Synagogue, which contains a memorial to more than 77,000 of the nation's Jews who were killed in Holocaust.5. Mucha Museum
The Mucha Museum is dedicated to the work of Alphonse Mucha, the celebrated Art Nouveau artist best known for the publicity posters he made for actress Sarah Bernhardt. On display here are the artist's groundbreaking drawings, posters, oil paintings, sketches and more, most of them made during his time living in Paris at the turn of the 20th century. There is also a replica of the artist's Paris studio, including original furniture and memorabilia.6. Church of Our Lady Before Tyn
A Gothic structure nestled across from the Old Town Hall in the heart of Stare Mesto, the Church of Our Lady Before Tyn is distinguished by its twin spires, which dominate the surrounding landscape. None of the original church, which dates as far back as 1135, remains; the present-day building may have been started around 1360. The church is the burial place of astronomer Tycho Brache, who died in 1601.7. Prague Spring
Starting on May 12 of each year (the day that Czech composer Bedrich Smetana died), Prague hosts one of the world's top classical music festivals, Prague Spring. The program starts each year with the performance of Smetana's Ma vlast and ends on June 2 with Beethoven's Ninth Symphony. In between are weeks of concerts by prestigious orchestras from around Europe and the world.8. Dancing House
In a city that lives and breathes history, Prague's Dancing House stands out as a striking example of modern architecture. Opened in 1996 and designed by American architect Frank Gehry, the Dancing House is made of two attached buildings with unusual curving lines and a dynamic, fluid shape. The Dancing House has been compared to Ginger Rogers and Fred Astaire (the jutting curve of the building on the left is said to represent Ginger's skirt). The building now houses the restaurant La Perle de Prague.9. St. Nicholas Church
St. Nicholas Church is located in the Mala Strana (or Lesser Town) district and is the city's most distinguished Baroque building, from its impressive dome and bell tower to the intricate chapels and frescos within its soaring interior. Mozart is said to have played the organ here during a visit to Prague.
10. Karlstejn Castle
Located atop a hill in Bohemia some 45 minutes by train outside of Prague, Karlstejn Castle is a fairy-tale vision. It was built in 1348 at the request of Holy Roman Emperor Charles IV, who wanted a place to store holy relics and the Empire's crown jewels. The castle's current neo-Gothic incarnation dates from the late 1800's. Inside you'll find medieval paintings, a portrait gallery and the bejeweled Chapel of the Holy Cross.
posted by Ben Walker at 1:47 AM
4 Comments:
I was in Prague last year and was impressed by this beautiful city. Most of all I liked castles which are near Charles Bridge and Karlstejn Castle. I liked to look at them at day time and when it is dark also. And Dancing building is so unique.
Without doubt, Prague is one of the most beautiful cities in Europe. However it is also one of the most crowded and cities squares, attractions and touristy avenues are saturated with tourists. In my opinion if you are traveling to Prague for the first time try and go in December when there are the Christmas markets.You might be lucky enough to have snow like we did. I have just returned from my third visit and can't wait to go back
Prague is a very popular tourist destination receiving over 3 million visitors per year. It offers the contrasts of the past with bridges, cathedrals, gold-tipped towers and church domes, and that of a modern metropolis full of energy, music, and art. The architecture of Prague property includes Romanesque, Gothic, Renaissance, and Baroque as well as classical buildings and Art Nouveau. Prague is also a city of bridges, 14 alone crossing the river Vltava. Prague is also a ‘Green City’ with numerous parks and forest areas.
Among this 10 top things to see, most of all I was impressed by Karlov Most or Charles Bridge as it is more commonly known is a fantastic place to people watch!! There are street sellers, artists and street musicians all lining the magnificent bridge. Charles Bridge is a stone Gothic bridge that connects the Old Town and Mala Strana and you can see it from Prague restaurants on the river Vltava banks. It was originally called the Stone bridge. There are towers standing on each end of the bridge and these can be climbed for a view of the bridge form above. There are statues on the bridge and touching one of these will ensure good luck and guarantee your return to Prague. It must be true as we have just returned for the second time!!
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