Prague

Prague is a city which has gained a reputation over the years as a party city, popular with stag groups due to its affordability and abundance of cheap Czech beer. However there is so much more to the city. The cobbled streets and historic buildings tell a story that goes back hundreds of years. So hold the beer for a moment and explore what Prague has to offer.

City Squares

There are two main squares in the centre of Prague - Old Town Square, a largely pedestrianised square where you’ll find the Astronomical Clock and five minutes away, Wenceslas Square, the commercial centre of Prague, with shops, bars and restaurants.

The Old Town

The Astronomical Clock

The Astronomical Clock is part of the Old Town Hall and the earliest part of the clock dates back to the 13th century. Every day, on the hour from 9am until 11pm the Astronomical Clock chimes and the figures of the twelve apostles appear. Get there early to beat the crowds.

Other landmarks to look out for in the Old Town are;-

St. Nicholas Church

Located near the Old Town Square, this is one of two churches in Prague dedicated to St. Nicholas.

The Powder Tower

Part of the old fortifications of the city, this gothic tower was once a city gate.

The Jan Hus monument

A monument dedicated to Jan Hus, the Czech reformer, which stands in the centre of the Old Town Square.

Church of our Lady before Tyn

A large Gothic church which dominates the Square.

Wenceslas Square

As well as being the commercial centre of Prague there are also some historical points of interest in the Square. In the centre of the square is the equestrian statue of St Wenceslas. In addition there are several statues of catholic saints including St Procopius and it is here that the establishment of Czechoslovakia was declared on 28th October 1918.

The Lesser Town

Lying on the slope beneath Prague Castle, the Lesser Town was founded in 1257 and today retains its historic buildings and narrow alleyways. Landmarks to look out for are the beautiful St Nicholas Church and the John Lennon Wall, a wall covered in graffiti which is inspired by the Beatles legend.

Charles Bridge

Up until 1841 the Charles Bridge was the only bridge across the River Vltava and the only way of connecting the Lesser Town and the Old Town. Today there are several bridges across the river but the Charles Bridge remains iconic and is the main point for tourists crossing to visit the Castle. 30 statues and sculptures line the pedestrianised Bridge with the statue of St John of Nepomuk being the oldest. Touching the statue is said to bring good luck.

Prague Castle

Founded around 880 AD Prague Castle is the oldest and largest castle complex in the world with an area of almost 70,000 square metres. Made up of four palaces, four churches and several historical buildings and gardens it is today the official residence of the President of the Czech Republic.

The most famous church in the complex is the St Vitus Cathedral. Founded in the 10th century the stunning cathedral is adorned with frescoes and stained glass windows.

Within the cathedral are the Bohemian Crown Jewels. However the crown, sceptre and ceremonial cloak which make up the Bohemian Crown Jewels are stored in a chamber under tight security and are only on public exhibition on special occasions.

Franz Kafka

Franz Kafka was born in Prague in 1883 to a Jewish family. An influential writer he struggled with the tensions in society in the early 1900’s as well as his own anxieties. His work has had a profound impact on modern literature and there are two statues in Prague dedicated to him. The first one is located in the Jewish Quarter near to the Spanish Synagogue and shows Franz Kafka on the shoulders of a headless figure, a reference to his work ‘Description of a Struggle’. The second monument is a modern 11 metre tall installation of Franz Kafka’s head. Made up of 42 moving parts which align to show his face you can find this above the Narodni trida metro station beside the Quadrio business centre.

For a more detailed look at his life and works visit the Franz Kafka museum.

Finally

Our trip to Prague ended with us taking a train south through the Bohemian countryside and onto Vienna. You can read about our time in Vienna here.