GUIDES

Prague Guide

Prague - Out and About

Prague, situated on the Bohemian Plain, has the river Moldava running through it and is considered one of the most fascinating European Cities.

The historic centre of the city, stands on both banks of the river and is divided into 6 parts, which in the past were considered 6 separate towns, becoming unified during the 17th century. The six zones include: Staré Mesto ( the Old Town), Josefov ( the ex- Jewish town, which now forms part of the Old Town), Nové Mesto (New town), Male Strana ( the Small Part), Hradcany and Vysehrad, which houses the largest number of historic monuments,museums and works of art. The castle (Prazsky) is the most visited and famous sight in Prague. The castle, the largest and oldest in the world, is the official residence of the Czech government. It is an immense building comprising gardens, churches and museums.The Gothic San Vito Cathedral, built in 929, rises up above the bulky mass of the castle. The heart of the castle is the Vladislao Room, a fine example of late Gothic. The Summer Palace (Letohradek) is in Renaissance style, while the Saint George Basilica is the best preserved Raman construction. Having passed the Basilica following the north wall of the castle, the visitor arrives at the Golden Alley ( Zlata Ulicka) with its small and highly colourful houses, once the residence of gold merchants and later occupied by artists. The square in front of the castle (Hradcanske Namesti) is surrounded by Baroque and Renaissance buildings, with the Plague Column, situtated in the centre of the square.. The Loretanske Namesti, situated to the west, is the site of the Cappuchin Monastery, the Cernin Palace and the Loreta. A little further and one arrives at the Strahov Monastery, with splendid frescoed rooms, which house a monastic library of international fame.

Mala Strana district, perched at the foot of the castle, is decorated with monumental, predominantly residential, buildings. The Nerudova Ulice is one of the most beautiful buildings, having conserved its Renaissance façade. The Saint Nicholas Church, situated in Mala Strana, in Malostranske Namesti, is richly decorated and has an enormous green dome. The square, in which the church is situated, is closed at one end by the river and has the Wallenstein Palace, occupied by the Ministry of Culture, at the other.

Stare Mesto, the old city, is located to the east of the Mlodava river and is the site of Starometstske Namesti, the heart of the city. Here the visitor is offered a sample of all the architectural styles of the city including Tyn Church, with its pointed roof covered with small spires, and the Stone Bell-Tower House, with its two chapels used as a modern art gallery and a chamber music room. The Town Hall, built in Gothic style, possesses a splendid astronomic clock. The Klementinum, an enormous architectonic complex, is situated a short distance away. The building houses libraries, museums and churches and leads to the Charles Bridge ( Karluv Most), an area bustling with tourists, painters and souvenir sellers. Josefov, the Jewish district, stretches to the north of the city. Four synagogues from the old district are still standing, together with the Town Hall, a ceremonial room and the old cemetery. The Old-New Synagogue (Staronova Synagoga) is the only one in the world built in Gothic style and is the oldest among those still in function within Europe. Nove Mesto, the New City, dates back to the 14th century and is situated beyond the walls that ring the old city. The Venceslao Square, is the focal point of this centre and site of the National Museum. The Lucerna covered walk way is an elegant Art Nouveau complex comprising theatres, cafés, a cinema and a restaurant. The Gothic style , Saint Mary of the Snow Church, with its beautiful entrance and enormous altar, stands at the end of the square.

The Karlovo Namesti, the largest square in Prague, is the site of the Baroque Saint Ignatius Church, the Town Hall for the New City, the Count Court and 'Casa Faust' a Baroque building at the south end of the square.

The city has a first rate public transport system. Tickets are valid for 60 minutes from the moment of purchase during the week and for a 90 minute period at the week-ends.

The metropolitan has three lines A-B-C ( Skalka- Dejvicka), (Cerny Most- Zlicin) and ( Holesovice-Haje). It is possible to change stations at Muzeum, Mustek and Florenc. The metropolitan operates every day, from 5am to mid-night. During rush hours the trains depart every 2-3 minutes, during other periods the wait can be from 4-10 minutes.

It is possible to reach the top of Petrin Hill by means of a rack- rail train, which calls at Ujezd, Nebozizek and Petrin. The train operates every day from 9am to 11pm (Summer) and from 9:15 to 8:45pm (Winter). Departures are every 10-15 minutes.

Prague - Not to be missed

Kampa Island is situated south of Mala Strana and is linked at its extreme northern point by the Charles Bridge. The most picturesque island in Prague and once the property of the Knights of Saint John of Jerusalem: the houses here look out directly onto the water, mills and parks.

Na Kampè Square situated directly under the bridge is the ideal location to spend a relaxing moment. The Petrin Hill, is 318 metres tall and is the site of 8 parks which group together to form the most extensive green open space in Prague. It is easily reached by rack railway and is ideal for pleasant strolls and for admiring the view over the city.

The Tower of Petrin, which stands to the north of the park, resembles the Eiffel Tower and can be climbed by means of its 299 steps.

Prague - Walks and tours

Zbraslav Castle is situated 10 km south of Prague. Karlstejn Castle is located a further 20km south- west, which contains notable works of art. Continuing in the same direction for a further 15km and the visitor arrives at Krivoklat Castle , a Gothic -Roman construction, built to the orders of King Venceslao I and which today houses a Czech-Gothic art museum.

Konopiste Castle stands 45km south-east of Prague. The castle is famous for its collection of weapons and hunting trophies. In an old suburb beyond the river Moldava, it is possible to visit the 16th century Troy Castle, surrounded by a large park, home to the city's zoo. The Veltrusy Castle, built in Rococo and Imperial style, at the beginning of the 18th century, is located 30km north east of the city. Two kilometres further, is the site of the Nelahozeves, built in Renaissance style and home to a Czech art gallery.

Melnik is a pretty town immersed in the country, in the centre of the Bohemian wine region, at the point where the Moldava river meets the Elba. The town is the site of Saint Peter and Paul's Church and the Town hall. The Gothic castle dominates the town. It is possible to visit the old rooms and wine cellars, where, paying a supplement, it is possible to take part in one of the organised wine-tasting sessions.

Beroun, a town to the south-west of Prague, is the departure point for visiting the Koneprus Caves, which are located 6km south. These 600 metre deep limestone caves are open every day from April to September and house rich rock formations, human bones, a rhinoceros and a 15th century forge.

Prague - A pocket guide

Shopping in Prague has a little pinch of finesse. The Golden Cross is the city's most important shopping centre. An elegant pedestrianized zone , where it is possible to acquire Bohemian crystal, antiques, objects of art and records and Cds of classical music. The roads which make up the Golden Cross are the Vaclavske Namesti in Venceslao Square and Na Prikope, Ulice 28.Rijna and Narodni Trida.

Prague's most famous flea market is in Praz Trznice in Holesovice. The market is held every Saturday and Sunday from 12.30. The best furnished large store is Kotva, in Namesti Republiky 8 in Stare Mesto. The Vinarna are a curious aspect of Prague. These places have for centuries, offered tastings of fine wine accompanied with excellent food. Some of the finest Vinarna are to be found in the medieval part of the city at Stare Mesto and in the Baroque houses in Mala Strana. The automats of Venceslao Square are another interesting aspect of Prague: these self service areas, where guests eat standing up, offer quick snacks at reasonable prices. Like many city's steeped in history, Prague too offeres a rich calendar of musical events. The most important is the Prague Spring, held beteween 12th May and the 12th of June, with dances, concerts and theatre plays in the park. The Jazz on the island of Slovansky is held in the month of June. The Theatre festival on the island of Strelecky and the modern dance festival in the Smetana Theatre and the Magic Lantern, take place in the month of July.

The 28th of October is the festival celebrating the proclamation of the Czech Republic. The celebrations take place at the castle and the Staromestske Namesti.

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