Highlights

For a good 400 years this most famous of all Prague’s sites presented the only possibility to cross the Vltava river. Therefore, this bridge was charged with significance ever since it had been built in 1357 by the renowned architect Peter Parler. Foremost it served as a passageway for trade and moreover it played an important part as defensive fortification during the Thirty Years’ War, when the city was beleaguered by the Swedes. Legend has it that during the construction process eggs were blended into the mortar in order to grant static stability. What is more, the constructor Charles IV has supposedly tuned the date of the laying of the foundation stone with his personal astrologer to avoid ill-fate. In these days Charles Bridge apparently is the oldest bridge of the city, one of the oldest stone bridges in the world and one of the most famous. A lively crowd of artists and passers-by make up the setting of its 516 metres of length. When crossing the bridge, don’t miss out on the chance to send a prayer for good luck to Saint Nepomuk who rests there among numerous other statues – according to another legend, you will be granted good if you do.

The country’s biggest ecclesiastic building also enjoyed the longest construction time: for almost 600 years there had been a continual coming and going of constructors, until the building has finally been completed to its present-day splendour. Garnished with stunning colourful windows, the inside of the cathedral is no less impressive. Contributing to this impression are St. Nepomuk’s solid silver tomb and Wenceslas Chapel with its awe-inspiring frescoes and countless glittering gemstones. The experience is even more breathtaking if you take the opportunity to climb the almost 300 steps to the viewing platform and the pinnacle. It’s worth the effort: the unforgettable impression remains!

No doubt, a place of historical significance: Wenceslas Square had been built by King Charles IV as a Horse Market in 1348 along with the formation of the New Town. 500 years later the square got renamed in Wenceslas Square in honour of the Czech Saint by the House of Habsburg. In the aftermath of the Prague Spring in 1969 the student Jan Pallach burnt himself here in an act of protest against the Soviet occupying forces. In 1989 15.000 people were demonstrating on Wenceslas Square against the move-in of capitalism. Today the capitalist infrastructure becomes evident in the opulence of the hotels and shops that are lining the square. On the south side of the splendid expanse the impressive dome of the National Museum rises. This most renowned and biggest museum in the Czech Republic hosts countless significant artifacts of art, music, literature and (natural) history. A visit should be on the schedule of every Prague tourist.

12.000 detectable tombstones and bones of more than 100.000 dead bodies – the deceased of Pragues jewish community of more than three centuries are resting here, in a space not much bigger than 2 ½ acres. Due to the shortage of space the bodies are buried in three layers on top of each other. Among the deceased are many famous Prague Jews, for instance Rabbi Judah Loew. Legend has it that he created a creature made of clay (called Golem) which he used as a means to free the Prague jews from the suspicion of child murder for religious purposes – this is a story, as bizarre as the beauty of this burial place.

Documentary dates back till the 12th century where the main function was that of a market place. Landmarks that stand out are the Old Townhall and the Astronomical Clock. Every hour the “Procession of the Apostles” can be admired here. Romanesque, Baroque, Rococo, Gothic or Art Nouveau – the square accommodates an impressive range of architecture from various stilistic epoques. This results in a magnificent row of houses with colourful fronts. Contrasting are the bleak gothic towers of the Týn Cathedral, rising high above the houses on the western side. Situated in the middle of the square is another piece of interest, the memorial of reformer and martyr Jan Hus. This priest was burnt at the stake back in 1415 for his criticism of the Catholic Church and now represents a symbolic figure in czech-german history.

Situated at Charles Bridges’ Old Town Tower, this former jesuit monastery today hosts the Czech National Library and the Astronomic Institute of the National academy. 3 churches and 5 courtyards are located on an area encompassing almost 5 acres. More than six million titles – many of which are of valuable baroque origin are part of the library’s collection. On weekdays visitors can climb the 52 metres of the Astronomic Tower.

This is an arrestingly accurate model of the city of Prague which took Bohemian litographer Antonín Langweil at least eight years to complete. The great attention given to detail seems sheer impossible. All objects present a precise replica of the originals – even inscriptions on house walls are adopted. A fascinating backdrop into the past chapters of city life that no picture could possibly provide. Absolutely worth the entrance fee.

This black light theatre in the New Scene of the National Theatre offers a combination of film, pantomime, ballet, light- and music theatre. A number of shows are on the list, for example “Carmina Burana”. Projected lighting effects are intoxicant and actors seem to interchange between screen and stage seamlessly. All shows are well worth seeing despite their different entertainment value.

This monastery on Petřín, a hill in the centre of Prague, has been given to the Premonstratensians – followers of Saint Anthony – by Prince Vladislav II in 1140. Ever since this date the complex has been in the possession of the fraternity, enduring fire, war and attempts of closure through the communists. Two noteworthy chruches are on site: the parish church Saint Rochus with the Miro exhibition and the opulently stacked church Saint Mary Assumption. But the principal reason for a visit certainly is the library with its theological and philosophical sections. In addition to the 66.000 literary works, both halls are equipped with imposing frescoes. However, most of the books are only accessible by researchers. Among them are works, such as the Evangeliar of Strahov – a script of immense value dating back to the 9th or 10th century. Also worth noticing is the fantastic view from the monasterial site down to the Malá Strana. It is possible to reach the viewpoint via ropeway.