Prague Tourist-Attractions

Prague Tourist-Attractions information

Prague Castle

Prague castle and the buildings within its walls testify to the city's medieval past. Construction of the castle began in the 9th century and it has since grown into a magnificent symbol of Czech national identity and pride. The castle has played host to the coronation of Czech kings and queens and today contains the presidential offices of Vaclav Havel. Lying at the heart of the city, the buildings within the grounds are home to some of the Czech Republic's most precious works of art. You could spend a whole day exploring all the buildings within the imposing castle walls, though a few hours should suffice to get a good impression of this beautifully preserved mini-city. Prazsky Hrad. Castle grounds open: daily 05h00-00h00 (Apr-Oct); 06h00-23h00 (Nov-Mar). Most monuments, including St Vitus Cathedral, Old Royal Palace, Basilica of St George and Powder Tower open: daily 09h00-17h00 (Apr-Oct); 09h00-16h00 (Nov-Mar). Admission is free into the castle grounds, but entry into the various monuments costs from CZK50-350 for adults, depending on the number of attractions visited; reductions for children. Tel: +420 224-371-111.

St Nicholas's Church

The most significant of Prague's baroque buildings, St Nicholas's church is situated in the Mala Strana between the castle area and the Vltava river. The castle's massive dome dominates the surrounding area, making St Nicholas's easily visible from all over the city. Inside, the church's proudest possession is the massive fresco, stretching across the nave and depicting the life of St Nicholas. The interior amply demonstrates all the colourful trappings that defined the baroque period, with bold marbled features in rich abundance. Interestingly three generations of the same family of architects worked on the cathedral in the hundred years it took to build. The dome and over-the-top interior were designed by Kilián Ignaz Dietzenhofer, following his father's work on the front façade. Kilián himself designed the sumptuous white façade of Prague's other St Nicholas's Church near the Old Town Square. Mozart famously gave piano recitals in the church and his works are still regularly played here for audiences eager to hear his music in these magnificent surroundings. Address: Malostranske Namesti, Mala Strana. Open: daily 09h00-16h00 (Nov-Mar); 09h00-17h00 (Apr-Oct). Tel: +420 257-534-215.

Mala Strana

The Mala Strana or "Little Quarter" is quintessential baroque Prague. Within its confines lie some of the capital's true architectural gems. As well as St Nicholas's Church (see above) the Valdstejnsky Palace, with its grandiose gardens, and the Panna Maria church are well worth exploring. The Mala Strana is also home to the funicular railway, which travels to and from Petrin Hill. With the towering Prague Castle in the background and the city stretched out to the east, the views from here are always spectacular.

St Vitus Cathedral

St Vitus Cathedral, situated within the walls of Prague Castle, boasts the most visually striking elements of all the city's architecture. Construction originally started on the cathedral in 1344 and since then the building has been successively renovated and restored to recapture its magnificence. The wooden doors - displaying intricate carvings - provide a taste of the opulent decoration that lies within. The ornate royal crests in combination with religious imagery are a grand reminder of Prague's proud history. The sheer height of the nave is awe-inspiring. Address: Prazsky Hrad. Open: 09h00-17h00 (Apr-Oct); 09h00-16h00 (Nov-Mar). Admission: CZK220, adults; CZK110, children (includes admission to Old Royal Palace and Dalibor Tower); free for children under 6. Tel: +420 257-531-622.

Wenceslas Square

Wenceslas Square lies at the heart of Prague and is considered the centre of the city, straddling the gap between old and modern Prague. The "square" is more like a broad avenue, which stretches from north-west to south-east and culminates in the towering statue of St Wenceslas standing proudly before the almost equally impressive National Museum. In the late 20th century the square bore witness to many anti-Communist demonstrations including the "Velvet Revolution" of 1989 which heralded the Czech Republic's (as part of Czechoslovakia) independence from the USSR.

Charles Bridge

Although the Charles Bridge had very humble 14th-century beginnings, the addition of a number of baroque statues increased its prestige and artistic pedigree so that today it stands as the most recognisable attraction in the city. The first statue, added in 1683, was that of St John Nepomuk. In 1393 the saint was tortured and cast into the river in Prague - his remains lie in St Vitus Cathedral. A façade underneath his statue on the bridge depicts the martyr's grisly end, and custom has it that if you rub the figure of the saint you will gain good fortune. In addition to the impressive views from the bridge itself, visitors can climb one of the towers situated at either end to obtain a more elevated panorama over the throngs that permanently crowd the thoroughfare.

Old Town Square

The old town square, at the centre of the Stare Mesto (Old Quarter), is an evocative and fascinating place. Its most interesting feature is the Astronomical Clock that covers the façade of the town hall on the north side of the square. The clock shows not only the time but also the positions of the sun, moon and stars. It is a masterpiece of mechanical engineering even today, which makes it all the more incredible that it was originally built in 1410. Every hour tourists gather to view the quaint mechanical figures that appear from the clockface, and which include characters of the twelve apostles and Death, who fittingly tolls the bell.

Jewish Quarter

The Jewish Quarter witnessed the most sinister and barbaric period in Prague's history. The thriving Jewish community was almost completely destroyed by a series of pogroms and deportations following the Nazi invasion of 1938. However, the remnants of Jewish life still live on through the synagogues and the famous Jewish cemetery, which typifies the overcrowded nature of the ghetto throughout its 900-year history. Jewish Museum incorporating four synagogues, Old Jewish Cemetery and Ceremonial Hall Open: Sun-Fri 09h00-16h30 (Nov-Mar); 09h00-18h00 (Apr-Oct). Admission: CZK300, adults; CZK200, children. Tel: +420 222-317-191.

The Sternbersky Palace

The Sternbersky Palace is just one part of the most impressive of Prague's art collections, which come under the umbrella of the National Gallery. The palace houses an outstanding collection of European paintings from the 14th to the 18th centuries, including Durer's masterpiece The Feast of the Rosary. Address: Hradcanské námestí 15. Open: Tue-Sun 10h00-18h00. Admission: CZK60, adults; CZK30, children. Tel: +420 233-090-570.

Konepruske Jeskyne

The whole of the Cesky Kras region around Prague contains fascinating cave and rock formations but the Konepruske Jeskyne is the only cave network open to public access. The caves are situated in the small village of Beroun, 20km south-west of Prague. Only discovered in the 1950s the upper level was once used to house a secret forger's mint. Not regularly visited by large groups, the Konepruske Jeskyne provide an ideal opportunity to escape the tourist masses and still see something worthwhile. Open: daily 08h00-16h00 (Apr-Oct) (with slight seasonal variations). Guided tours lasting one hour cost: CZK80, adults; CZK40, children; free for under 6s. Tel: +420 311-622-405.