Mariana’s guidebook

Визначні місця

Karlsbroen

A 14th-century stone bridge connecting Prague’s Old Town to the Malá Strana neighborhood, flanked by Gothic Tower gateways on either side. The bridge is lined with thirty statues of saints, including the martyred St John of Nepomuk. Based on various legends promising good luck, visitors have rubbed the plaques at the base of his star-crowned likeness until the engraved woman and dog gleam gold. This path along the former royal route used to carry kings along their coronation procession from Old Town to the Prague Castle. Today’s crowds crossing the Vltava River make up for a lack of prestige with population. Caricature artists, photographers, and jewelry stalls line the walls to hock their wares to the tourists streaming past. Be ready to dodge selfie-takers who pause without warning, or you can climb the bridge towers to get a less stressful view for a modest fee.

1717 lokalkjente anbefaler

Karlsbroen

Karlův most

1717 lokalkjente anbefaler

A 14th-century stone bridge connecting Prague’s Old Town to the Malá Strana neighborhood, flanked by Gothic Tower gateways on either side. The bridge is lined with thirty statues of saints, including the martyred St John of Nepomuk. Based on various legends promising good luck, visitors have rubbed the plaques at the base of his star-crowned likeness until the engraved woman and dog gleam gold. This path along the former royal route used to carry kings along their coronation procession from Old Town to the Prague Castle. Today’s crowds crossing the Vltava River make up for a lack of prestige with population. Caricature artists, photographers, and jewelry stalls line the walls to hock their wares to the tourists streaming past. Be ready to dodge selfie-takers who pause without warning, or you can climb the bridge towers to get a less stressful view for a modest fee.

Prague Castle

The world-record-holding largest castle complex in the world and seat of the Czech president The Prague Castle silhouette is dominated by the Gothic St Vitus Cathedral, whose stained glass windows (including one by Alphons Mucha) are worth stepping inside to admire. Guided tours are available to walk guests through individual rooms, but a free solo stroll throughout the grounds is often just as satisfying. The tiny houses of Golden Lane, Romanesque façade of St. George’s Basilica, and the manicured landscapes of the South Gardens are a few favorite stops along the way. A changing of the castle guards at the gates takes place daily at noon. Exploring every corner of these massive fortified grounds would take an entire trip, so read up in advance to choose your interests. Opening hours: Daily 6am-10pm, individual attractions vary

2060 lokalkjente anbefaler

Prague Castle

2060 lokalkjente anbefaler

The world-record-holding largest castle complex in the world and seat of the Czech president The Prague Castle silhouette is dominated by the Gothic St Vitus Cathedral, whose stained glass windows (including one by Alphons Mucha) are worth stepping inside to admire. Guided tours are available to walk guests through individual rooms, but a free solo stroll throughout the grounds is often just as satisfying. The tiny houses of Golden Lane, Romanesque façade of St. George’s Basilica, and the manicured landscapes of the South Gardens are a few favorite stops along the way. A changing of the castle guards at the gates takes place daily at noon. Exploring every corner of these massive fortified grounds would take an entire trip, so read up in advance to choose your interests. Opening hours: Daily 6am-10pm, individual attractions vary

Zizkov Televisjonstårn

A staple of the Prague skyline with fine dining and drinking options, plus an observation deck and exclusive hotel suite Many visitors know this tallest building in Prague as the rocket-shaped landmark with the baby sculptures crawling up the sides (courtesy of controversial Czech sculptor David Černý). What most don’t realize are the entertainment options inside. An observation deck offers a panorama that differs from the perspectives of the many Old Town or Malá Strana viewpoints. Oblaca provides high-end dining in a restaurant or bar setting with top quality service and presentation. The One Room Hotel is a spacious suite among the stars for a one-of-a-kind place to spend the night. And of course, admiring the tower from afar, lit at night with in the red, white, and blue colors of the Czech flag, is absolutely free. Opening hours: Daily 9am-midnight

646 lokalkjente anbefaler

Zizkov Televisjonstårn

1 Mahlerovy sady

646 lokalkjente anbefaler

A staple of the Prague skyline with fine dining and drinking options, plus an observation deck and exclusive hotel suite Many visitors know this tallest building in Prague as the rocket-shaped landmark with the baby sculptures crawling up the sides (courtesy of controversial Czech sculptor David Černý). What most don’t realize are the entertainment options inside. An observation deck offers a panorama that differs from the perspectives of the many Old Town or Malá Strana viewpoints. Oblaca provides high-end dining in a restaurant or bar setting with top quality service and presentation. The One Room Hotel is a spacious suite among the stars for a one-of-a-kind place to spend the night. And of course, admiring the tower from afar, lit at night with in the red, white, and blue colors of the Czech flag, is absolutely free. Opening hours: Daily 9am-midnight

Spanske synagogen, Jødisk museum i Praha

A 19th-century, Moorish-style Synagogue located in Prague’s well-preserved Jewish Corner (“Josefov”) in the Old Town The stunning interior of stained glass and gold designs in this house of worship stands proudly in the face of historic atrocities. The synagogues and streets of Joefov were largely spared the destruction that Central Europe experienced in WWII because Hitler creepily planned to preserve the area as a “museum of an extinguished race”. The exhibits and presence of the Spanish Synagogue remind visitors to look beyond the dark stories of the 20th century and into the deeper roots and rich artistic accomplishments of Jewish communities in Bohemia and Moravia, with a particularly extensive collection of silver artifacts on display. The acoustically-arched walls also play host to classical and chamber concerts. Opening hours: Mon-Fri, Sun 9am-4:30pm (Nov-March); Mon-Fri, Sun 9am-6pm (April-Oct)

69 lokalkjente anbefaler

Spanske synagogen, Jødisk museum i Praha

1 Vězeňská

69 lokalkjente anbefaler

A 19th-century, Moorish-style Synagogue located in Prague’s well-preserved Jewish Corner (“Josefov”) in the Old Town The stunning interior of stained glass and gold designs in this house of worship stands proudly in the face of historic atrocities. The synagogues and streets of Joefov were largely spared the destruction that Central Europe experienced in WWII because Hitler creepily planned to preserve the area as a “museum of an extinguished race”. The exhibits and presence of the Spanish Synagogue remind visitors to look beyond the dark stories of the 20th century and into the deeper roots and rich artistic accomplishments of Jewish communities in Bohemia and Moravia, with a particularly extensive collection of silver artifacts on display. The acoustically-arched walls also play host to classical and chamber concerts. Opening hours: Mon-Fri, Sun 9am-4:30pm (Nov-March); Mon-Fri, Sun 9am-6pm (April-Oct)

Nasjonale teateret

A national treasure touting the influential status of the performing arts on Czech life and culture, located on the southern bank of the Vltava River Constructed as part of the late-19th century national revival to reclaim the Czech identity among creeping German influence, this gold-capped building showcases opera, ballet, and drama performances at reasonable prices. The ornately carved gold and ruby interior of the theater is lined with balcony boxes that carry the air of elegance from the base of the stage to the highest rows. This stately flagship building sits beside the more avant-garde architecture and artistic content of the New Stage located opposite Vaclav Havel Square, where they share a box office. The National Theater umbrella also covers performances in the more central Estates Theater and State Opera, which also boast an aesthetic of luxurious embellishment. Opening hours: Box Office Mon-Fri 9am-6pm; Sat, Sun 10am-6pm

524 lokalkjente anbefaler

Nasjonale teateret

2 Národní

524 lokalkjente anbefaler

A national treasure touting the influential status of the performing arts on Czech life and culture, located on the southern bank of the Vltava River Constructed as part of the late-19th century national revival to reclaim the Czech identity among creeping German influence, this gold-capped building showcases opera, ballet, and drama performances at reasonable prices. The ornately carved gold and ruby interior of the theater is lined with balcony boxes that carry the air of elegance from the base of the stage to the highest rows. This stately flagship building sits beside the more avant-garde architecture and artistic content of the New Stage located opposite Vaclav Havel Square, where they share a box office. The National Theater umbrella also covers performances in the more central Estates Theater and State Opera, which also boast an aesthetic of luxurious embellishment. Opening hours: Box Office Mon-Fri 9am-6pm; Sat, Sun 10am-6pm

Staroměstské nám. 7

The heart of Prague’s UNESCO-protected Old Town with postcard-worthy attractions in every direction. Old Town Square (“Staroměstské náměstí”) is the Prague you’ve seen in pictures. The mechanical wonder of the 15th-century Astronomical Clock impresses with both its exterior beauty and maintained functionality. Look closely at the twin towers of the Gothic Church of Our Lady before Týn, whose decades of construction delays resulted in spires aren’t actually identical. A towering statue of martyred religious leader Jan Hus and his followers dominates the center of the cobblestoned square. Bubble blowers, mimes, and other gimmicky acts perform for tourist tips, and Christmas and Easter seasons bring massive holiday markets. For authentic stories and legends of this medieval center, join one of the free walking tours at the northern edge of the square.

Staroměstské nám. 7

7 Staroměstské náměstí

The heart of Prague’s UNESCO-protected Old Town with postcard-worthy attractions in every direction. Old Town Square (“Staroměstské náměstí”) is the Prague you’ve seen in pictures. The mechanical wonder of the 15th-century Astronomical Clock impresses with both its exterior beauty and maintained functionality. Look closely at the twin towers of the Gothic Church of Our Lady before Týn, whose decades of construction delays resulted in spires aren’t actually identical. A towering statue of martyred religious leader Jan Hus and his followers dominates the center of the cobblestoned square. Bubble blowers, mimes, and other gimmicky acts perform for tourist tips, and Christmas and Easter seasons bring massive holiday markets. For authentic stories and legends of this medieval center, join one of the free walking tours at the northern edge of the square.

Petřín

A wide expanse of pathways, sculpted gardens, and green space topped by a mini-replica of the Eiffel Tower, located near the Prague Castle Memorable sights pepper the landscape of this massive park covering the hill to the south of the castle and across the river from the National Theater. Starting from the top, a rose garden sits beside the base of the lookout tower, which was modeled after its French counterpart for the General Land Centennial Exhibition in 1891. A winding stroll downhill takes you past a statue of Karel Hynek Mácha, a romantic poet likely pleased by the couples who stop by to share a kiss here on the first of May. Stairs at the base of the park near the Ujezd tram stop hold a Memorial to the Victims of Communism. Every open space in between holds picnickers, readers, and happy dogs lounging in the grass. Opening hours: Times Vary

268 lokalkjente anbefaler

Petřín

268 lokalkjente anbefaler

A wide expanse of pathways, sculpted gardens, and green space topped by a mini-replica of the Eiffel Tower, located near the Prague Castle Memorable sights pepper the landscape of this massive park covering the hill to the south of the castle and across the river from the National Theater. Starting from the top, a rose garden sits beside the base of the lookout tower, which was modeled after its French counterpart for the General Land Centennial Exhibition in 1891. A winding stroll downhill takes you past a statue of Karel Hynek Mácha, a romantic poet likely pleased by the couples who stop by to share a kiss here on the first of May. Stairs at the base of the park near the Ujezd tram stop hold a Memorial to the Victims of Communism. Every open space in between holds picnickers, readers, and happy dogs lounging in the grass. Opening hours: Times Vary

Museum Kampa

A modern art gallery focused on Central European artwork, tucked between the Vltava River and Kampa Park in Prague’s Malá Strana neighborhood Jan and Meda Mládek, the husband and wife founders from Poland and then-Czechoslovakia, began collecting local art in the late 1960s while living abroad in the United States. Artists were struggling to create and sell their work under the Communist rule of the time. The moderately-sized museum was converted from a former mill and opened in 2003. The Mládek’s personal collection is displayed alongside Central European artists from the later-half of the 20th century. The museum is dedicated to showcasing artistic expression created during the difficult times of struggle and oppression that dominated the region leading up to the turn of the century. Opening hours: Daily 10am-6pm

228 lokalkjente anbefaler

Museum Kampa

2 U Sovových mlýnů

228 lokalkjente anbefaler

A modern art gallery focused on Central European artwork, tucked between the Vltava River and Kampa Park in Prague’s Malá Strana neighborhood Jan and Meda Mládek, the husband and wife founders from Poland and then-Czechoslovakia, began collecting local art in the late 1960s while living abroad in the United States. Artists were struggling to create and sell their work under the Communist rule of the time. The moderately-sized museum was converted from a former mill and opened in 2003. The Mládek’s personal collection is displayed alongside Central European artists from the later-half of the 20th century. The museum is dedicated to showcasing artistic expression created during the difficult times of struggle and oppression that dominated the region leading up to the turn of the century. Opening hours: Daily 10am-6pm

Dansende huset

Dancing House is a Nationale-Nederlanden building designed in 1992 by architect Vlado Milunić in cooperation with architect Frank Gehry on a vacant riverfront plot. Frank Gehry was the one who first named the house Fred and Ginger after dancers Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers as the house resembles a pair of dancers but this nickname is barely used nowadays. The building mainly consists of offices, a hotel, a cafe on the main level and a restaurant on the top floor restaurant. The dancing house is a must-visit sight in Prague. Opening hours: Times Vary

749 lokalkjente anbefaler

Dansende huset

6 Jiráskovo nám.

749 lokalkjente anbefaler

Dancing House is a Nationale-Nederlanden building designed in 1992 by architect Vlado Milunić in cooperation with architect Frank Gehry on a vacant riverfront plot. Frank Gehry was the one who first named the house Fred and Ginger after dancers Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers as the house resembles a pair of dancers but this nickname is barely used nowadays. The building mainly consists of offices, a hotel, a cafe on the main level and a restaurant on the top floor restaurant. The dancing house is a must-visit sight in Prague. Opening hours: Times Vary