PRAGUE - 100 reasons to visit - Part II

Places to go

Prague is home to many famous cultural attractions which survived the violence and destruction of the twentieth century Europe. From Romantic to Gothic Style to modern Cubist, Prague has it all. 
The Vaclavske Namesti (Venceslas Square) is what Time Square is to New York or Champs Elysee to Paris. 

Venceslas Square

The main city square, actually a long boulevard, is the center of business and cultural activities in the New Town. Take a walk along the many shops and restaurants or stop at the sidewalk cafe and watch the world go by. The upper part is dominated by neoclassical National Museum and a beautiful statue of the saint patron of Bohemia - St. Venceslas.

The northwest end Na Prikope (on the moat) divides the New Town and the Old Town. From there on you can experience a medieval part of this beautiful city. Since 1992, the extensive historic center of Prague has been included in the UNESCO list of World Heritage Sites.

Prague Orloj

Walk through the narrow streets, lined by quaint shops, till you get to the Old Town Square, where the Old Town City Hall, built in 1364, is situated with its main attraction Orloj - a medieval Astronomical Clock. It is the oldest clock in the world still working. Every hour on the hour you may observe the ceremony of the 12 Apostles and other moving figures, notably a figure of Death (represented by a skeleton) striking the time, and a calendar dial with medallions representing each month of the year.

Old Town Square - Tyn Church 

There are two beautiful churches near by, the Gothic Tyn Church and the baroque St.Nicholas Church. You cannot miss the monument of Jan Hus, a Czech priest, philosopher and master at Charles University who, before Martin Luther, tried to reform the church. For his preaching against the doctrines of the Catholic Church he was burned at the stake. If you like to learn more about Jan Hus, visit a little medieval chapel Betlemska Kaple where he was preaching in the 14th century.     

While in the Old Town, stop by the Jewish Cemetery (the oldest preserved tombstone dates back to 1439) and visit the Jewish Museum. 

Jewish Cemetery

From there you are not far from the edge of the Old Town and  Prasna Brana, a Gothic tower which is one of the 13 old gates to the city of Prague. Walk through another Gothic tower Mostecka Vez and you are on the beautiful Charles Bridge decorated with 30 baroque statues. At the other side of the bridge, after you walk through Lesser Town bridge tower, you are in the Lesser Town, the center of medieval Prague. From there follow  the cable stone streets up to the castle. The buildings and palaces here are mostly Baroque and you may notice that some of them are decorated with emblems such as the house At the Unicorn, one of the oldest houses in Prague, with Romanesque core from 12th century. Prague houses did not have numbers until 1770, and by these way-markings, the people could find a house they were looking for.  Today the House of Black Madonna is a museum of Cubism. 

House at The 3 Fiddlers

Some, like the house at the Three Fiddler's, indicated the occupation of the owner.The main square Malostranske Namesti lies at the heart of this part of town. Visit the primary landmark, the baroque St. Nicolas Church, where over the organ is a fresco of St. Cecilia, patron saint of music.   The organs were played by Mozart in 1787. By now, on the way to the castle, you may want to stop at one of many old pubs for some typical Czech meal and a glass of famous Czech beer.

The Prague Castle is the largest medieval castle complex in Europe and it is Prague's premier attraction.  Wander around its courtyards, visit many buildings, museums and art galleries. Enter the magnificent St.Vitus Cathedral, a Gothic masterpiece dominating Prague skyline and the coronation and burial place of many Czech kings. On the outside, in the third courtyard, notice the mosaic over the side doors, which was restored by the Getty Museum of Los Angeles. 

St. George at the Prague Castle

Statue of St. George slaying a dragon is also there as well as the St. George Basilica, the oldest surviving church building on the grounds of Prague Castle. Don't forget to walk through the Zlata Ulicka (Golden Lane) dating from the 15th century, a small street lined with tiny historic houses, originally dwellings for people working at the castle. Famous writer Franz Kafka spent some time in the house No. 22.

View of the Prague Castle from the Charles Bridge

Once outside of the castle stately gates, from the large terrace, you can enjoy the panorama of the city and the charming red roofs of Lesser Town houses. On the right side you will see the Petrin Hill with its TV tower resembling smaller version of the Eiffel Tower. It's a place where the local people go for recreation and it is most beautiful in the spring when the cherry trees blossom. There are several interesting things to explore, among them the rose garden and the previous mentioned Hunger Wall. You can access the top by the funicular and admire the view of the castle and the city which look amazing from there. 

Prague Castle from Petrin

Rose Garden at Petrin

Next time we'll talk about more places to explore. Until then enjoy traveling!