Things to See and Do

 Prague is one of Europe's most well preserved historic cities, having escaped relatively unscathed from bombings during the second World War that damaged many of Europe's architectural treasures in other nations.

Emerging as Euorpe's next 'best kept secret', Prague is picturesque, culturally dynamic and historically important as the geographic and political centre of Central Europe's past. Many visitors agree that the atmosphere of Prague's old town and the romantic 'fairytale' skyline of Gothic and Romanesque style buildings set on the edge of the Vltave river are the major drawcards for tourists to the region. 

Here are our recommended highlights of Prague's major attractions. Things not to be missed during your stay!

Old Town Square: Staromestske Namesh

Every historical European city has a market square, and Prague's is one of the most beautiful in the world. Its' a great place to start a self guided tour of the city's historical centre.

Once a bustling market place full of fresh food and produce, today its a great place to take in some of the city's most important historical buildings and watch life go by. You can also enjoy a coffee at one of the many street cafes lining the square.

There are well preserved examples of Romanesque, Gothic and Baroque architecture to be enjoyed here. The statue in the centre of the square is dedicated to the activist and philosopher, Jan Hus, erected in 1915 to commemorate the anniversary of his violent death.

Church of Our lady Before Tyn

The spires of this impressive Roman Catholic church can be seen from all over the city. This church is the third of its kind to be built here, the others having been destroyed and rebuilt over the years.  As well as a place of worship, it was also the home of the Hussite Archbishop Jan Rokycana during the early 1400's.

The first thing you should appreciate from the exterior, is that the spires of this magnificent structure are not identically symmetrical. They were purposefully built to be slightly different from one another, symbolising the difference between the man and the woman- a common theme occurring in architecture from the Gothic period.

Situated on the edge of the Old Town Square, this church is well worth a visit. Many interesting artefacts and decorative details can be viewed inside- most of them are from the Baroque period. The oldest pipe organ in Prague can also be seen from inside. The main alter was designed by the most famous Czeck painter of his time- Karl Skreta. Another interesting feature is the elaborately decorated tomb of Tycho Brahe, who was the personal astronomer of Rudolf II.

If you can visit the town square in the evening, you will surely enjoy the sight of the church illuminated at night.

Old Town Hall Tower and Tourist Information Centre

After suffering extensive damage and decay over the years, the original Town Hall clock and tower was renovated during 1470, restoring it to it's former glory in it's original Gothic style.

The clock itself dates back to the 15^th Century. Every hour on the hour, the “Procession of the Twelve Apostles” can be viewed- a little trap door opens from which a model of Jesus and his followers emerges.

Inside you will find Prague's main tourist information centre which can provide you with various useful information on getting around town, as well as tours offered and some discounts to the city's main attractions. It is open daily from 9am- 8pm.

For a small fee, you can climb to the top of the tower and enjoy a spectacular view of the city from above. Best enjoyed at dusk!

Josefov: Jewish Quarter

A short walk from the Old Town Square, towards the Vltava River is the old Jewish Quarter of Prague's old town. The Jewish residents of Prague were ousted from their homes in the 13^th Century, forced to relocate in one area so they could be kept under close watch.

Overcrowded and generally run down, the area became a haunt for thieves and other undesirables, until it  underwent a facelift in the 1800's, altering the exterior of many of the original buildings.

Six original synagogues are still there, including the oldest Jewish Synagogue in all of central Europe. Richly adorned and designed during the Gothic period, the exterior has many intricately carved details. All the furnishing you see inside are originals and protected today under the Jewish Museum, which was established in 1906.

The Pinkas synagogue remains one of the most important in the city as it was dedicated as a memorial to those that died during the holocaust. More than 80,000 of their names are inscribed on it's walls. 

The Jewish Museum

The Jewish Museum in Prague has quite a comprehensive collection of permanent exhibitions, historical artefacts and account, plus temporary exhibitions, an education centre and community projects. There an extensive library and an encyclopaedia of Jewish communities, access for which can be applied for via the official website.

These facilities are spread across several different sites in Josefov, but the official website has excellent information on ticket and entry prices, plus further information on the location of specific material. Winter opening hours are 9am- 4pm, Summer opening hours are from 9am- 6pm, closed every saturday and for Jewish holidays.

Website: http://www.jewishmuseum.cz/aindex.htm

The museum sells an all-in-one ticket which includes entry to all the historic sights of this neighbourhood including the original Jewish cemetery and the Jewish Town Hall.  The best way to discover this area is by taking an organised walking tour to learn about the history of the area and it's people who suffered greatly during the past. Ask at the Jewish Museum for more information on tours and educational lectures.

Charles Bridge

This 14^th Century bridge is made from stone and was constructed to link the Old Town with Mala Strana, the historic area constructed around the Prague Castle to extend the city's historic centre.

It was commissioned by it's namesake, King Charles IV and work began in 1357. The original idea was to use the bridge as a tournament ground for the knight battles of that period, so until the 1600's it remained simply decorated. Today there are 30 decorative statues lining the bridge, many of which are reconstructions to replace the Baroque originals damaged by flooding over the years. The surviving originals can now be viewed in the Lapidarium Museum in Prague.

The most popular statue is the one of Saint John of Nepomuk. He was a Saint that was executed during the reign of King Wenceslas IV. He was thrown into the river from the bridge after refusing to tell the king the confessed secrets of the Queen of Bohemia. Saint John is now said to be a guardian against floods, and touching the statue is said to bring good luck and ensure that you will one day return to Prague.

From the bridge you can enjoy the best views of the fairytale skyline of Prague's historic centre, making it a pleasant place to take a stroll along during the day or the evening.

Mala Strana

The name of this area translates to “little town” as is an extension of Prague's old city, built after the construction of the Charles Bridge. Originally a market settlement during the 8^th Century, It's a particularly picturesque part of Prague's historic centre and is used a lot in films and commercials even today.

The best way to enjoy the area is to wander the side streets that surround the Malastranske Namesti square, where you will find delightful shopping, craft and gift boutiques.

There are also many of Prague's best traditional bars and restaurants scattered around this area- underground cellars and beer halls, or garden restaurants offering magnificent river views. An excellent place to grab a bite to eat and soak up the local atmosphere.

Prague Castle and St Vitus Cathedral.

The Prague castle complex is certainly a highlight of Prague's history, and should be a must-see on your list of things to see. It is the oldest and largest medieval complex of it's kind in Europe. The first building inside erected during the 9^th Century under the command of Prince Borivoj. The first foundations were made of clay and stone and the first building inside to be constructed was the church of the Virgin Mary.

Several refurbishments took place during various architectural periods so today the complex is an interesting collection of Gothic, Romanesque and original medieval constructions. Under the rule of King Charles IV during the 14^th Century, the castle became the imperial residence and new fortifications were built to prepare for possible invasions.

Building and renovation continued over the years until the reign of Rudolf II in the 16^th Century. During the Second Defenestration in 1618, when which some members of Prague's  bohemian aristocracy rebelled against the leadership of King Ferdinand, the castle was damaged and robbed. This was the beginning of the Thirty Year war and the castle remained unsecured and under disrepair until the 18^th Century.

Today, the castle seats the Head of State and protects many historical artefacts from the country's history, including the crown jewels of the Bohemian Kingdom. The jewels and the crown of Saitn Wencesalas are put on display to the public just once every eight years!

The famous St. Vitus Cathedral is inside the castle compound and is one of the more prominent features of Prague's skyline. Built during the Gothic period, it is the largest cathedral in the Czech Republic and is where many coronations of Czech Kings and Queens took place. Many royal tombs are housed in the crypt inside.

Not all areas of the castle are open to the public. There are several churches, cathedrals and palaces in the complex. Some require a ticket for entry, others are free. Check the official website for further information, including seasonal opening hours, entry fees and special exhibitions:

http://www.hrad.cz/en/prazsky_hrad/navsteva_hradu.shtml

Cruising the Vltava River

An excellent way to experience Prague and enjoy a different perspective of this romantic city is to take a river cruise. There are several companies which organise cruises with or without lunch included. Some even organise a combination of a walking tour of the old town, including a cruise. Dinner and dance cruises are also a popular choice. Visit the Tourist information centre in the Old Town Hall for the latest information and seasonal specials.

Music and Opera in Prague

Several concert halls, churches and Opera theatres offer a variety of evening and matinee performances. Highly recommended is the Prague State Opera, Prague State Opera Ballet and the Prague National Theatre.

Popular venues that are full of seasonal shows include the Municipal House for classical music, the Rudolfinium for classical music and cultural exhibitions, and the Neo-classical Prague State Opera House, which is a site unto itself, with or without a world class performance! Formal dress is required, and some venues will sell last minute seats at discounted prices.

Visit the Official Website for scheduled performances and ticket sales:

 http://www.opera.cz/en/index.html

The Krizik's illuminated Fountain

Also known as the Dancing Fountain, or Musical Fountain, this colourful light and sound show is a real crowd pleaser and very popular with families.

The water moves in time with the music thanks to a whopping 3,000 electronic nozzles, managed by fifty water pumps. The water illuminated by more than 1,200 underwater coloured floodlights.  During the summer there are four shows per night, starting at 8pm, every hour with the last show at 11pm.

Located at the Vystarviste Exhibitions Grounds, you can get there easily by Trams 5, 12 and 17 or on the subway, getting off at Nadrazi Holesovice (red line).

Look yourself in to one of the apartments in Prague. These are great options. You will find the prices affordable and the atmosphere so finely tuned you won't want to go anywhere else.