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Prague Maps & Attractions Guide
Prague maps & Attractions - Things to do
in Prague
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Prague
Attractions - Things to do
1. The Castle District (Hradèany)
old.hrad.cz/index_uk.html |
What is it? The Castle District stretches across the top
of the hill overlooking the city and incorporates the best churches
and museums in Prague set around three courtyards, immaculate
gardens, fortifications and state apartments. The dominant feature
is St Vitus Cathedral occupying most of the third courtyard. The
Castle was founded in the 9th century and is still the official
residence of the president. The Old Royal Palace was home to the
Kings of Bohemia from the 11th to the 17th centuries. The Royal
Apartments and Vladislav Hall, where Bohemian knights once jousted,
kings were throned and presidents are sworn into office, can be
visited, as well as the little chapel next door. Next to the red
façade of the Romanesque Basilica of St George, lies the
Benedictine Convent, housing the National Gallery's remarkable
collection of old Bohemian art. Behind the gallery is the
picturesque cobbled alley known as Golden Lane, a row of
16th-century tradesmen's cottages, brightly coloured and built into
the fortifications. Visitors can watch the Changing of the Guard on
the hour every hour, with the fanfare and flag ceremony included at
noon.
Hours of Operation: Interiors daily 9am to 5pm (4pm in winter). Castle
grounds daily 5am to midnight (April to October) and 6am to 11pm
(November to March). Gardens daily from 10am to 6pm, but are closed
along with the tower of St Vitus Cathedral, in
winter
Phone: |
2. St Vitus Cathedral
Castle District (Hradèany)
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What is it? Situated within the Castle Complex, the
spires of St Vitus Cathedral, an elegant but domineering French
Gothic structure, soar above the ramparts. It is the county's
largest church containing numerous side chapels, frescoes,
tombstones and beautiful stained glass windows and it literally
sparkles with all the finery inside. The most ornate chapel
contains the tomb of St Wenceslas, the 'Good King Wenceslas' of the
Christmas carol, which has become something of a pilgrimage site.
The Coronation Chamber houses the Bohemian Crown Jewels and the
Crypt is where most of the Kings and Queens of Bohemia have their
final place of rest. The southern entrance to the cathedral, the
Golden Gate, is decorated with a richly gilded coloured mosaic
representing the Last Judgement, dated from 1370, and it is one of
the artistic treasures found in the Castle District. It is possible
to climb the 287 steps of the tower for magnificent views over the
city.
Hours of Operation: Daily 9am to 5pm (April to October), 9am to 4pm
(November to March)
Phone: |
3. Charles Bridge (Karluv Most)
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What is it? The pedestrian Charles Bridge serves as the
focal point for tourists and is the most photographed feature of
the city. Construction began in 1357 replacing the earlier Judith
Bridge of which the only remaining part is one of the towers at the
Malá Strana gate that can be climbed for a view of the city. Up
until 1841 this was the only bridge in the city. Throngs of people
pick their way through the happy congestion caused by buskers,
artists and musicians lining the bridge, positioned between the
saintly sandstone statues that make this the most picturesque and
lively of attractions.
Hours of Operation:
Phone: |
4. Old Town Square (Staromĕstské
Námestí)
Staré Mĕsto
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What is it? The heart of the old city and the market
place since the 11th century, the Old Town Square is Prague's
prettiest and most lively square with historical facades and a
cobbled surface. It still hosts a variety of markets, especially
the yearly Christmas market which is enchanting. In the centre is
the odd Art Nouveau monument to the religious reformer, Jan Hus, a
national symbol for the Czech people. The Old Town Hall features an
ornate Gothic Astronomical clock showing three different times, in
front of which throngs of people gather on the hour to watch the
brief mechanical performance of apostles, Christ, a skeleton and a
rooster. Tourists can climb the tower for a behind the scenes look
at the mechanics as well as a view from the top. On opposite sides
of the square are two magnificent churches: Prague's greatest
Baroque building, St Nicholas, with its distinctly visible dome,
and the more striking Týn Church, a fabulous Gothic structure with
its twin spires a noticeable feature on the Prague
skyline.
Hours of Operation: Town Hall tower open Monday 11am to 6pm; Tuesday to
Sunday 9am to 6pm
Phone: |
5. The Jewish Museum
U Staré ?koly 1
www.jewishmuseum.cz |
What is it? The Jewish Museum is the largest and most
authentic of its kind in Central Europe with one of the most
extensive collections of Judaic art in the world. Situated in the
old Jewish Quarter it is spread over a variety of buildings and
synagogues, including the Maisel, Spanish, Klausen and Pinkas
Synagogues, the Ceremonial Hall, the Old Jewish Cemetery, the
Robert Guttmann Gallery and the Education and Culture Centre. The
origins of the collection are astonishing in their atrociousness.
Objects from 153 Jewish communities throughout Bohemia and Moravia
were brought to Prague by the Nazis in 1942, to be used in a
planned 'museum of an extinct people' after their extermination
programme was complete. The Pinkas Synagogue was turned into a
Jewish memorial after the Second World War and its walls are
covered with the names of the Czech victims, the communities they
belonged to and the camps in which they perished. The Old Jewish
Cemetery is a significant sight with over 12,000 tombstones
visible, but the number of people buried here is much greater due
to the earth layering system carried out to create space. The
oldest tombstone dates back to 1439. Together with the Old-New
Synagogue, the oldest surviving example of the medieval twin nave
style, the cemetery is one of the most important historic sites in
the Jewish Quarter.
Hours of Operation: Daily except Saturday from 9am to 6pm (April to
October), 9am to 4.30pm (November to March). Jewish Cemetery open
Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9am to 1pm
Phone:221 711 511 |
6. Vy?ehrad
V Pevnosti 159/5b, Prague 2
www.praha-vysehrad.cz |
What is it? Vyaehrad, a hill fort perched on a rock above
the river, is an inseparable part of the city skyline. The twin
spires of the Neo-Gothic Saints Peter and Paul Church are visible
from afar and the façade has beautiful carvings. No other site has
as much distinction attached to it. Behind the church is the Slavin
Cemetery where many distinguished Czech artists, scientists and
academics are buried. From the battlements the view of the Vltava
valley is superb.
Hours of Operation: Daily 9.30am to 6pm (April to October), 9.30am to 5pm
(November to March)
Phone:241 410 247 or 241 410 348 |
Prague Holidays guide
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Transport -Prague has a cheap and efficient public
transport system consisting of an integrated network of buses,
trams, metro and a funicular on Petrin Hill.
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