Prague is one of the oldest and most beautiful cities in Europe. If you want to plunge into an old fairy tale, this city is perfect for this. This is a city about which it is impossible to say that you need to go or visit a certain place, you just need to walk around it, enjoying its beauties. Although you can still name a place that is definitely worth a visit.
Old city
Most tourists mark this place to visit, because it is the heart of Prague, its oldest part. It is in this place that most of the sights of this fabulous city are concentrated.
The Charles Bridge
One of the most popular places can rightly be called Charles Bridge, which serves to connect the Old Town with the rest of Prague. This is an unusually beautiful building, decorated with a large number of statues, including the statue of St. John of Nepomuk, which, according to legend, fulfills the most secret desires. By the way, Charles Bridge has been connecting the banks of the Vltava River for more than six centuries, namely since 1402.
Another no less popular place is Old Town Square, the oldest square in the Old Town. Here you can see a huge number of ancient buildings, striking in their architecture. It is on this square that you can see world-famous astronomical clocks, they ring 12 times a day, showing a peculiar performance. In addition to time, you can find out the phase of the moon and the time of sunrise and sunset by this watch.
The main building of the Old Town Square can safely be called the Old Town Hall, which was laid back in 1338 by the ruler Jan Blind. The town hall itself consists of a complex of buildings that were connected in different eras. There are several museums, as well as wedding ceremonies. They tried to rebuild the Town Hall many times and in 1908 a reconstruction project was chosen, but it was never implemented.
Prague Castle
Prague Castle is the largest fortress in the Czech Republic, which occupies almost 7 hectares of land and is the site of the solution of important events held in the country. Initially, Prague Castle, founded in the 9th century, served as a fortress for Czech princes. During the first centuries, such constructions appeared as the Monastery of St. George, the Church of the Virgin Mary and St. Vitus Cathedral, the place of coronation of Czech kings. Later, already in the 16th century, the Church of All Saints and the Belvedere Palace were built. And only at the end of the 20th century Prague Castle was opened for tourists and as soon as possible it became one of the most popular tourist destinations. Today, you can visit a large number of museums and a variety of exhibitions.
The old town of Prague is a great place for those who want to visit an old fairy tale.
Old Town (Staré Město) notable for its beautiful medieval streets, stately buildings and picturesque palace architecture. Each street of Prague is like a gallery of monuments of art, preserving the heritage of medieval time, which includes all the architectural sights of the city's old quarters.
Old Town Square (Staroměstské náměstí) in the historical center of Prague in the XII century. was a market. In the 60s of the last century, the square was declared a pedestrian zone, and traffic was prohibited here. Throughout its history, the square has been replaced by several names, it acquired its real name only in 1895. This is the largest square in Prague. Nowadays, Old Town Square is surrounded by houses in various styles of architecture: Gothic, Baroque, Rococo and Renaissance. The Old Town Square is famous for several sights: the XIV century City Hall is located here. with chimes of 1410, the Tyn Church in 1365, the Krocinov Kashn fountain, a memorial plaque of the Marian pillar of 1650, built in honor of the liberation of the city from the Swedes. Here is a monument to Jan Hus 1915
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To the south of Old Town Square is Small Square (Malé námĕstí). One of the main attractions here is the centrally located fountain, fenced with gothic forged lattice of the 16th century. with gilded figures of the "Bohemian lion" and angels. Another attraction of Small Square is Rottov House (dům U Rotta) - the first stone house, which has changed many owners in several centuries. In 1890 the house was rebuilt in the style of a new renaissance with stunning allegorical frescoes on the facade.
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Křížovnické náměstí, surrounded by famous sights of Prague, is one of the key central places in the city. .jpg)
In the Middle Ages, the royal path passed through Křížovnice Square, located in the Old Town. The square is located near the Bridge Tower of Charles Bridge - the most beautiful tower of Prague of all the buildings in the Gothic style: the tower is crowned with coats of arms and sculptures of the rulers of the Czech Republic. An essential detail in the appearance of the Bridge Tower is the image of the kingfisher, symbolic for the Czech king Wenceslas IV. From here, a panoramic view of the Vltava River and a view of the surroundings of Prague opens from the observation deck. The central part of the square is a monument to Charles IV of 1848 in a neo-Gothic style. The monument was erected in honor of the 500th anniversary of Charles University. The square is famous for three attractions. Here is the baroque church of St. Francis of Assisi, the church of St. Salvador and the Old Town Bridge Tower in the Gothic style, built in medieval times for defensive purposes.
Fruit Market Square (náměstí Ovocný trh) It got its name back in the Middle Ages, when it was on this elongated square of irregular shape that a large fruit market was located, which in turn was part of the large Havel market. Now from the ancient structures only arches in the Gothic style have been preserved. The Square Theater (Stavovské divadlo) (one of the most beautiful in Europe), the Carolinium (the main building of Charles University) and the House of the Black Madonna - a masterpiece of Cubism from the beginning of the last century, the project of Jozsef Gochar - enter this square. In winter, an ice rink of impressive size is flooded on the square, attracting many visitors to Prague.
House At the Black Madonna (Dům U černé Matky Boží)1911-1912 the architect Josef Gočár was built in the style of Czech cubism on the site of the old house “At the Golden Lattice”, owned by the Knights of Granovsky. At the beginning of the XX century. the building became very popular in Prague thanks to .jpg)
exhibitions of works by cubists of the Osma creative group. Nowadays, the House of the “Black Madonna” is the most striking example of cubism. The house currently houses a museum, whose exhibitions are collected by the works of the Art and National Museums and Galleries of Prague. Original art objects, furniture, paintings belonging to the works of Yanak, Gochar. Hoffmann, as well as Emil Filla, Chapek, Kubin, Kubishta, Guttfroynda and others are presented here. Temporary exhibitions are held in the halls of the last floor. Opposite the house. "At the Black Madonna" is a monastery of templars. Nearby is the Sikstov House - another attraction bearing the name of the owners who lived here in the XVI century. Many famous personalities lived here: Johannes Faust, Franz Kafka, Francesco Petrarch and Philippe Fabricius. The name of Franz Kafka is also associated with the house “At the Three Kings” (dům U tří králů), perfectly preserved from the fourteenth century. to our time.
Dům U černé Matky Boží,
Celetna 34, 11000, Praha 1 (Prague - Old Town), CZ
Coal Market Square (Uhelný trh) in front of the St. Havel Cathedral is the western part of the Havel Place, 560 m long, dating back to 1265 (the time of King Przemysl Otakar II).
This place is notable for the fact that here in 1347 a feast was held in honor of the coronation of Charles IV. In the old days, the coal market was nicknamed cabbage.
Then they began to sell charcoal, which served as the new name for this place. There are 2 fountains of the 18th and 19th centuries on the square.
Royal way appeared back in the distant Middle Ages, at the end of the 14th century, when the monarch's residence was located on the Royal Court. The coronation invariably took place in St. Vitus Cathedral (Katedrála sv. Víta), where the Royal Way led. The procession began on Tseletnaya Street, crossed the Old Town Square, passed along Karlovaya Street through the bridge to Prague Castle. At that time, bakeries settled on Celetnaya Street. The famous Powder Tower of the XV century. located here. In one of the buildings on Celetnaya Street, an ancient mint was located. It was here that the clashes between the inhabitants of Prague and the troops of the Habsburgs took place. M. Bakunin took part in the riots. The house “At the Golden Angel”, where the hotel was located in those days, was the headquarters of the revolutionaries. This house holds many secrets, and the passageways of its dungeon lead to the Tyn Church, where representatives of the Order of the Templars, officially abolished at the beginning of the 14th century, gathered in the Middle Ages. and subsequently existed as a secret society. In honor of the Knights Templar is one of the streets of Prague - Templarska.
Powder Tower (Prašná brána) on Republic Square, 65 m high, built in 1474 on the site of an ancient tower of the 13th century and was supposed to be one of 13 gates leading to the Old Town. Historically, the tower was not completed. At the beginning of the XVIII century. gunpowder was stored in the tower, which served its current name. The tower was slightly damaged during the Prussian siege in 1757, but the appearance of the Gothic structure was almost unchanged. In 1823, chimes were installed in the upper part of the tower, which were removed in 1878 when the architect Joseph Moker worked on the tower, striving to give the tower its original appearance. The 2nd floor of the powder tower is an observation deck, where a spiral staircase of 186 steps leads.
Prašná brána,
U Prasne brany, 11000, Praha (Prague - Old Town), CZ
Charles Street is full of sights, myths and legends. This is one of the most remarkable streets in Prague. The peculiarity of Karlovaya Street is that there are two very sharp turns on it. From Karlovy Street you can see the Klam-Gallasov Palace (Clam-Gallasův palác), the facade of which is clearly visible only at an acute angle due to medieval buildings, somewhat blocking it.
On Seminarskaya street the dark and gloomy house “At the Black Star” is located, dating from 1600 and painted in the graffito technique common at that time, hardly distinguishable from time to time.
Little Vlašská Chapel (Vlašská kaple) is hiding behind the church of St. Clement. If you stand in front of the church, then from Karlova street opens Liliova street (Liliová). Here is the house “At the Golden Snake” (U Zlatého hada). It belonged to the first founder of coffee houses in Prague - Deodat Damayan. The gothic house was rebuilt in the Renaissance style. Nearby is the house “At the Stone Mermaid” (U kamenné mořské panny), about the first owners of which there are many legends.
Shopping street Na Příkopě: historically, this street separated the Old and New Towns. It has long been a cafe. During the First Republic, cafes were demolished, and instead shops appeared, and the street turned into a shopping street. Now there are many different shops. The sights of the street are the Baroque-style Silva-Tarukka palace and the sculptures of the Plazer on the roof, the Slavic house of Count Jean Vernier de Rougemont 1700 (other name - the German house).
The building of the Faculty of Philosophy of Charles University (Filozofická fakulta Univerzity Karlovy)
Charles University 1348 - the first in all of Europe. The Philosophy Faculty was founded among the first four. The basis of university education of the XIV century. was the study of the liberal arts that make up trivinium: literacy, rhetoric and didactics. The Faculty of Philosophy of Charles University was equated to the Faculty of Liberal Arts. Only after graduation was it possible to continue studying at other faculties.
Now it is one of the largest faculties of Charles University, where there are 16 departments, 30 research institutes and more than 40 libraries.
Filozofická fakulta Univerzity Karlovy,
Namesti Jana Palacha 2, 11638, Praha (Prague - Old Town), CZ
Monument to Jan Hus (Pomník Jana Husa) on the Old Town Square (Staroměstské náměstí).
Jan Hus is the founder of a new religious movement symbolizing the unity of the Czech people, a supporter of church reforms and a preacher, known throughout Europe for his opposition to the Habsburg dynasty from 1391-1434. Jan Hus was recognized as a heretic and executed, which led to a 20-year confrontation, which went down in history as the Hussite war. The monument to the founder of the Hussite movement was erected to the 500th anniversary of the national hero in 1915 on the Old Town Square by the sculptor Ladislav Shaloun and represents a whole composition of symbolic images. These images embody the ideas of the Hussite movement and the fate of the Czech people. The monument to Jan Hus became symbolic for the square.
Pomník Jana Husa,
Bridge tower in the Old Town (Staroměstská mostecká věž).
On the way to the Charles Bridge from the Old Town there is a medieval tower in the Gothic style with a height of 48 m. Its creator was the court architect, the German architect Peter Parler. The facade of the tower is decorated with sculptures of the legendary Charles IV, his son Vaclav IV, sculptures of saints, the coat of arms of the empire and the kingfisher, which became a symbol for Vaclav IV. After the foundation of Charles Bridge was laid, a tower was built. It was rebuilt for defensive purposes to protect the bridge. The rather gloomy and majestic Gothic tower is pretty well preserved to this day. It is noteworthy that the two opposite walls of the Bridge Tower were the same until the Swedish siege in 1648, when the ornament on one of the walls was somewhat destroyed.
Staroměstská mostecká věž,
Karluv Most, 11800, Praha (Prague - Old Town), CZ
Old Town Hall (Staroměstská radnice) It was founded in 1338 by King John of Luxembourg for a meeting of the Prague Council and consists of several buildings. First, the main central tower was built, symbolic of the Old Town Square. Over time, an entire ensemble of buildings appeared around the tower, and it was completed several times and was completed in 1364. The height of the main tower is 70 meters, at the very top there is an observation deck with stunning views of Prague. The main attraction of the tower is the main Prague chimes of 1410, with which many legends are associated.
Top Courant of Prague, astronomical clock of the Old Town (Astronomické hodiny).
The legendary clock of Prague in 1410 is also called the Prague Eagle (Pražský orloj) located on the tower of the Old Town Hall (Staroměstské radnice) in 1364. The tower, 69.5 m high, is symbolic for the city. The watch was created by a watchmaker 
king Mikulas from Kadani and the master of Prague University astronomer Jan Schindel and for a long time remained the only ones of their kind in the whole world. 80 years after its creation, the watch was supplemented by a watchmaker Ganush from Rosa. In the middle of the XVII century. The chimes were decorated with wooden sculptures depicted in symbolic scenes on the theme of virtue and vice: “Mockery”, “Dandy”, “Voluptuousness” and “Last Judgment” with the key figure of Archangel Michael with a sword.
The astronomical clock consists of three parts, located one above the other, indicating: the procession of the apostles, the dial of the astronomical clock and the calendar.
Every hour, the apostles and Jesus appear in front of the audience. The figure of a skeleton ringing a bell reminds of the transience of life. The earth on the astronomical dial is depicted according to the laws of geocentrism, in the center is located Prague. The dial depicts the Universe and is displayed every time of the day. Three golden circles depict the tropics of Cancer and Capricorn and the equator. The copper circle of the calendar is divided into two rings. The inner ring contains a circle of copies of 24 medallions created by the artist Joseph Manes in 1866, with the image of the zodiac signs, seasons and scenes from the life of the common people.
Staroměstská radnice,
Staroměstské náměstí, 11000, Praha (Prague - Old Town), CZ
New Town Hall (Nová radnice) - The Municipal House on Marianské Square (Marianské námĕstí), a magnificent building, the architectural value of the Czech capital, one of the most significant cultural values \u200b\u200bof the city. It occupies an entire quarter and dates back to 1911. Famous architects and sculptors of the country worked on the exterior of the building: Shaloun, Polivka, Margatka, Strunz, Shuhard and others. From 1945 until today, the governor's office and the magistrate of Prague have been sitting here. The New Town Hall houses the legendary hall of the Czech composer Smetana, where the Prague Spring festival of world significance takes place every year. The building is decorated with sculptures of heroes of the country, artistic reliefs and scenes from the history of the Czech Republic. It was in the New Town Hall that important events took place that influenced the fate of the Czech people.
In 1419, a meeting of Hussites was held in the building of the town hall, which refused to obey King Sigismund; here in the XV-XVI centuries. prominent political figures of the country worked. 1619 was marked by the beginning of the uprising against the Habsburg dynasty, the National Committee proclaimed its authority in the building of the New Town Hall.
One of the attractions of the New Town Hall is the “Black Man” - a sculpture located on the side of Platneshskaya Street and created by Shaloun, about which there are legends.
Nová radnice,
Marianske namesti 2/2, 11000, Praha (Prague - Old Town), CZ
House "At the stone lamb" (U kamenného beránka) XV century Renaissance, Romanesque and early Gothic styles located on the south side of Old Town Square. Nearby is the Krzyžov House, the houses of the Stone Virgin Mary, the Stone Table, and the Sixtus House. The house "At the stone lamb" was restored in 1945 after a fire.
House "At the Stone Bell" (U kamenného zvonu) XIII - XIV century. built in gothic style. It is noteworthy that the house until 1980-1987. hid all the secrets of his exterior under a layer of stucco from the Neo-Baroque period. Amazing architectural features and elaborate Gothic patterns of 1685 were opened during the restoration of the house, returning the building to its original image of the late Gothic style of the middle of the XIV century. The main attraction, thanks to which the medieval house acquired its real name, is an old bell carved from stone on one of the walls. Since 1988, Prague has been hosting exhibition galleries and concert events.
U kamenného beránka,
Staroměstské náměstí, 551/17, 11000. Praha (Prague - Old Town), CZ
House at the Golden Well (U zlaté studně) or the house "At the Red Chair" on Karlovaya Street, which connects the Royal Court with the Prague Castle and the royal residence located there. A stunning monument of architecture of the Middle Ages in the style of Baroque, Renaissance and Gothic, which once belonged to Emperor Rudolph II, the house “At the Golden Well” is located at the intersection of Karlova and Seminarzhskaya Streets. The main windows of the house overlook the Charles Bridge. The well, thanks to which the house got its name, has long been known for its clean water. The second name of the house “At the Red Chair” (dům U Červené sesle) is associated with the name of the nuncio Spinelli, who lived here under the rule of Rudolph II, devoting himself to the task of recativizing the Czech Republic. He owned a chair made of red linen, to which the house subsequently owed its second name. In the XIX century. a beer house was opened in the house, the windows of which overlooked the ancient city. This place was incredibly popular in Prague; many famous artists of that time often gathered here. The house was rebuilt several times. The decoration of the house impresses with its luxurious painting and rich decoration. In one of the cellars are hidden underground passages used by the Jesuits. The facade of the house is striking in its rich decor and amazing color. It is decorated with many details, among which are images of Jesuits, angels and some saints: the Virgin Mary, St. John of Nepomuk, Saints Roch, Ignatius, Sebastian, Francis Xavier, Wenceslas and Rosalia. A notable detail is the porch of the 19th century. architect Jozev Malinsky with a scene depicting the meeting of Christ and the Samaritan woman. Now the house has a hotel with a wonderful terrace. All this splendor is clearly visible from the side of Seminarskaya Street.
U zlaté studně,
Karlova 175/3, 11000, Praha (Prague - Old Town), CZ
Charles Bridge on the Vltava River (Prague Bridge, Stone Bridge) - This is one of the oldest bridges in Europe, one of two well-preserved ancient bridges of the Czech Republic. The bridge is supported by 16 supports, its length is 516 m, width 9.5 m.
The bridge was laid in 1357 by King Charles IV, in order to connect the Small Town - “Mala Strana” with the Old Town “Stare Mesto” and opened in 1402. The name Charles Bridge was consolidated in 1870 on the initiative of Karl Borovsky.
The first public library in Prague appeared in 1891. Subsequently, it grew and moved several times. By the beginning of the 20s of the XIX century. there were about 260 thousand volumes, the number of which was growing all the time. There was not enough room in the room. The new library building, designed by architect Royt, was built in 1928 with a cultural center, rooms for concerts, exhibitions and lectures. In place of the old library building, there are now two underground lecture halls. In the building of the municipal library is the residence measure of Prague, which occupies a significant part of the premises.
Marianske namesti 1, Praha 1 (Prague - Old Town), CZ
Prague Public Representation House (Obecní dům) was created by architects Antonin Balshanek and Oswald Polivki in 1905-1911 to become the center of the spiritual and social life of the Czech capital. The best architects and artists of the country were invited to implement the project. Once upon a time, the Royal Courtyard was located on the site of the Prague Public House. Impressive majestic halls, salons and endless galleries of this symbolic building for Prague are distinguished by highly artistic design. The most luxurious is the “Salon mera” with allegorical frescoes by the artist Alphonse Mucha. The central hall of the house is dedicated to the famous Czech composer Smetana. Concerts and events are held here. The hall is decorated with sculptures of Shaloun and frescoes of Spillard.
Obecní dům,
Namesti Republiky, 1090/5, Praha 1 (Prague - Old Town), CZ
See all the invisibility in Prague
CHARACTERISTICS OF THE COUNTRY
- Currency: Czech koruna (CZK)
- Language: Czech
- Religion: Catholicism, Protestantism
- Population: 10 512 200
- Climate: Moderate
- Place in the world by GDP: 44
- World Rank by GDP per capita: 35
- Fitch Credit Rating: A +
- Number of UNESCO monuments: 12
The city of Prague gained historical significance in the X century, becoming the capital of the Kingdom of the Czech Republic. Today it is the capital of the Czech Republic. This administrative entity is located on five hills separated by the Vltava River. Within the city borders there is also a tributary - the Berounka River.
For centuries, the capital of the Czech Republic was not a single city, but consisted of autonomous towns. They were called Vysehrad, Hradcany, Mala Strana, Stare Mesto and Nove Mesto. Each of them had its own financial system, its administrative management and its status.
Prague - the capital of the Czech Republic
It happened that the inhabitants of the towns were openly at odds with each other. Such conflicts sometimes spilled over into bloody battles. It was possible to smooth the differences and unite the warring parties only in 1784. It was from this year that the history of Prague began as a single administrative center.
Some towns have become districts, but centuries-old isolation has left an indelible mark. This is expressed in the fact that each district has its own history, its own specificity and its own peculiarities in architecture. Therefore, the sights of Prague have their own special unique character and attract tourists from all over the world.
Old city
The most popular place in the capital of the Czech Republic is Old city or Stare Mesto. In its center is Old Town Square. Noteworthy in it is that it is surrounded by houses with different architectural styles. This is Gothic, and the Renaissance of the Renaissance, and Baroque. The town hall rises in the square. Since 1410, an astronomical clock hanging on it, known around the world as the Prague Chimes, has been hanging on it.
They were installed on the south wall of the town hall. The clock shows not only time, but also years, months and days. By the "Prague Chimes" you can find the time of sunrise and sunset of the Sun and Moon. In the center of the dial, the Earth is depicted, and the Sun rotates around it. The clock informs about the onset of a new hour by iridescent battle, which ends with a cock cry. Near the clock there are windows. The faces of the apostles appear and disappear in them. All this as a whole is a magnificent sight.
Prague chimes at the city hall
And the Old Town is notable for basements and streets located under the buildings. Such an unusual architectural solution is explained by the fact that in the former times this area was constantly flooded. In the end, the inhabitants raised the coast to 6 meters high. New houses were built on the new site. It happened in the XIV century. However, part of the lower and basement was not covered with earth. That is why ancient buildings exist to this day.
Of great interest is such a landmark in Prague as. It is located on the Republic Square. It is noteworthy that the tower began to be built in 1475, and construction work was completed only at the very beginning of the 19th century.
For a very long time city reserves of gunpowder were stored in it. That is, it was an ordinary powder warehouse. Then it was restored, brought into proper shape and completed. Today, the height of the building is 65 meters. At an altitude of 44 meters is an observation deck. With it, anyone can enjoy the beauty of the city.
Powder Tower View
Literally next to the Powder Tower is the Public House. It was built in 1912 on the site of the royal palace that had fallen into disrepair. Today it is the main concert venue. The annual festival of academic music "Prague Spring" is held at it.
From the Powder Tower towards Republic Square stretches Celetnaya street. It is also a significant landmark of the city. In the old days, luxurious processions of aristocratic nobility moved along it. It is the entire color of the kingdom that followed the new king during the solemn coronation. Another newly made ruler walked along the Celetnaya street to the Prague Castle, which was considered the main residence of the Czech kings.
Nowadays, the street has become a pedestrian. Small restaurants, souvenir shops, as well as shops selling Czech glassware are sold one after another. Some houses have original names: "The Black Virgin", "Estates Theater", "Three Kings". They were built at a time when houses were not given numbers, but given a name. The situation changed over time, but city residents decided to maintain the ancient trend and chose Celetnaya Street for this.
In the Old Town there are also such sights of Prague as Carolinum and Clementinum. These historical buildings are the pride not only of the capital, but of the whole country. Carolinum was built in 1348 and founded the first European university in it. Now here is one of the administrative buildings of the university.
As for Clementinum, it is a complex of buildings built in the Baroque style, and is listed in the international registry "Memory of the World." Here were found places for the state library, mathematical museum, astronomical observatory.
View of Charles Bridge
Well and of course church of Our Lady before Tyn. Virgin Mary was the mother of Jesus Christ. She is still revered as the Virgin. The temple was laid in 1365. For centuries, it has been the main gathering place for Catholics in the Old Town. The height of the baroque towers of this greatest architectural creation reaches 80 meters. The interior of the temple is magnificent and luxurious. Here is a statue of the Madonna, Prague tin fonts, a stone pulpit for sermons, a crucifix dating from the 15th century, as well as a Gothic fresco. It depicts Saint Jerome with a lion. It was created by an unknown master at the end of the 14th century.
Undoubted interest will cause across the Vltava river. It connects the Old City and Mala Strana. The bridge is 520 meters long and 9.5 meters wide. The bridge was laid by King Charles IV in 1357. This architectural creation is decorated with 30 sculptures. They are located on the sides of the bridge along the entire length. Established them for a long forty years from the second half of the XVII century to the first decade of the XVIII century. The most popular sculpture depicts a Turk guarding Christians captured.
In the Old Town there is also such an attraction as the Jewish quarter. Once it was a separate settlement of Jews, surrounded by a stone wall. Today, there are six synagogues, a town hall and a cemetery from old buildings. This is a kind of historical complex. It is a Jewish museum and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. In the quarter is Paris Street. It houses expensive restaurants and shops. In them you can buy original things from the world's leading designers.
City of Prague
The second most popular after the Old Town is City of Prague. It is located on the left bank of the Vltava River. It is a whole complex of architectural structures and is the residence of the President of the Czech Republic. The city of Prague is surrounded by a fortified wall, in which there are three entrances. On each of them is a guard, changing every hour. The sight is very beautiful. There are many fountains and bridges on the territory.
Here it is . It was built for a long 600 years. The construction was completed in 1929. The main nave (longitudinal part) of the cathedral reaches 124 meters in length. There are three towers. The highest of them is the Big South Tower. Its height is 96.5 meters. The height of the other two towers is 82 meters. The height of the internal arches of the cathedral reaches 33.5 meters. The cathedral houses the royal tomb, as well as the symbols and regalia of royal power.
View of the Cathedral of St. Vita
Of undoubted interest is also Zlata street. This is an old Prague street. She is one of the main symbols of the Czech capital. The main attraction of this place is tiny two-story houses. They have souvenir shops. They work until 18 hours.
At the end of Zlata streets is the Daliborka tower. For a long time, it kept prisoners who fell into disgrace to the king. The last prisoner left the tower in 1781. Outwardly, this building looks very gloomy. It has a basement with four cameras. In the floor of each of them are narrow round holes. People were lowered into them and condemned to a terrible death.
Near the Castle of Prague is the summer palace of Queen Anne. It was built in 1565. The palace is surrounded by a park called the Royal Garden. It has the "Singing Fountain", cast in bronze three years after the construction of the building itself. Today, the palace regularly hosts exhibitions of fine art, as well as various official events.
Mala Strana
Prague Castle is located on a high hill. Immediately below it is Mala Strana. This is an area that was once a separate city. It is notable for narrow streets facing the squares, and is simply buried in the greenery of gardens. The area is located in a lowland and bounded by the highest hill in Prague, called Petrin. Its height reaches 327 meters.
View of the Cathedral of St. Mikulasha
In the center of the district is Malostranskaya Square. This is an outstanding landmark of Prague due to st. Mikulasha. It was built in 1756. It has two bell towers. The height of this architectural masterpiece is 79 meters. The cathedral is famous for its fresco, which covers an area of \u200b\u200balmost 1,500 square meters. meters and is the largest in Europe. Under the dome are four sculptures depicting the teachers of the church. There is an organ in the cathedral; Mozart himself played on it.
Very picturesque is Nerudova street. It stretches from Malostranska Square to the Castle of Prague. The famous writer Jan Neruda lived on this street in the 19th century. Not faceless numbers hang on houses, but skillfully made signs. On the street there are a lot of cozy restaurants and cafes. In small shops you can buy beautiful souvenirs. Parallel to Nerudova Street is the Hradchan Staircase. It leads to the city of Prague. Rising along it, you can simultaneously admire the roofs of houses made of red tiles and the domes of the cathedrals of Mala Strana.
Petrin Tower is similar to the Eiffel Tower
On Petrshinsky Hill, which has already been mentioned, the Petrshinsky Tower rises. It is a copy of the Eiffel Tower and was built in 1891. The height of this metal structure is 60 meters. At an altitude of 55 meters there is an observation deck. You can climb it on the stairs or on the elevator. From this height a magnificent view of Prague with its hills and surroundings opens. At the bottom of the tower is a gift shop and a cozy cafe. There is also a small basement. It houses a literary museum.
Kampa Island
Impressions of the sights of Prague will be incomplete if you do not visit the island of Kampa. On the one hand, it is limited by the waters of the Vltava, and on the other hand, the stream called Chertovka. This is an artificial stream. They dug it back in the 12th century to set the mill wheels in motion. One of the watermills has survived to this day. In the southern part of the island is a beautiful park. In the northern part of the island is one of the most expensive restaurants in the city.
New town
Of great interest is also Nove Mesto or New town. It was laid in 1348 in the neighborhood of the Old Town. They built it, not as horrible as it was, but according to the project. Of great interest is Wenceslas Square, which is one of the largest squares in the world. It has an elongated shape. The length of the area is one kilometer. Here are the best hotels, offices of various companies, restaurants, casinos.
There is a monument to Jan Palach and Jan Zaits in the square. These two young men self-immolated themselves in 1969 in protest against the entry of Soviet troops into Czechoslovakia. Very close to the monument are the national theater, the state opera building and the public house. The latter is a real architectural masterpiece. The building is decorated with stained-glass windows, frescoes, gilding and colored mosaics.
Vysehrad is a fortress
And in conclusion, we must mention Vysehrad. This is an ancient fortress. It is located on a hill above the Vltava in the southern part of the city. In the center of this ancient architectural masterpiece is a magnificent park. Among the greenery stands the Cathedral of St. Peter and Paul, as well as the rotunda of St. Martina. Of great interest is the Visegrad cemetery. Outstanding people of the country are buried on it. This is the writer Karel Chapek, composer and conductor Bedřich Smetana, writer Jan Neruda, composer Antonin Dvořák, painter and graphic artist Ales Mikolash and many others. Beautiful monuments rise above the graves. Most of them are made in the style of art nouveau.
Prague is one of the greatest architectural masterpieces of modern Europe. In the city, Gothic, Renaissance, Baroque and modern style are interwoven, which is of undoubted interest for tourists. At least 4 million visitors visit the Czech capital annually. This once again underlines the great interest that people have in the sights of Prague, which is located on the banks of the Vltava River..
The Old Town of Prague (Stare Mesto) is the central, oldest and most popular part of the Czech capital among tourists. Everything that Prague is associated with here is concentrated: narrow cobblestone streets, unique buildings built in different architectural styles from Gothic to Art Nouveau, beautiful copper door handles, orange roofs and the indescribable charm of a medieval city.
Settlements on this place arose quite early, back in the 9th century. Due to its favorable location, the settlement grew rapidly due to trade. However, the left bank of the Vltava has always been lower than the right, so floods regularly flooded it. However, in the future, the coast was raised by about 5 meters, due to which Prague almost got rid of this problem. In 1232, the settlement received the status of a city.
The name "Staro Mesto" was born after the founding of "Nove Mesto", where they moved most of the markets, organizing the trade side. Cultural constructions began to be built in the Old Town, which made this part of the city the cultural center of Prague.
Sights of the Old Town of Prague
The whole Old Town is a concentration of the sights of Prague, which are known far beyond the borders of the country.
Let's talk about the most significant of them.
- Charles Bridge is one of the hallmarks of Prague. Its length is 516 meters and its width is 10. It was built in 1402 and has not changed much since then. This is an arched bridge of 16 arches and three towers. There are 30 sculptures on the bridge related to the history of the city and the country. The best time to visit is at dawn, when the bridge is not yet clogged by tourists.
- The Old Town Hall on Old Town Square is another hallmark of the city. This is the central square in the Old Town and the central square of all of Prague, which has witnessed all the major events in the history of the Czech Republic. The Old Town Hall is not quite usual for such constructions. This is not one building, but a whole complex consisting of buildings of different years of construction, as well as the famous tower with an astronomical clock.
- Tyn Church, significantly rising above the surrounding buildings, is another iconic urban object. The Temple of the Virgin Mary was built for nearly two centuries. The architecture of the three-nave basilica mixed early Gothic and Romanesque motifs. Recognizable towers 80 meters high were built in the XVII after a significant fire.
- The Powder Tower is another attraction that you cannot pass by. This 65-meter building was created as one of the 13 entrances to the Old Town from the Vltava, however, in the 17th century it lost its importance. The tower began to be used to store gunpowder.
- The Jewish Quarter with a whole complex of interesting buildings, such as the Old-New Synagogue, the High Synagogue, the Jewish Town Hall, the Klaus Synagogue, the Pinkas Synagogue, the Mayzelov Synagogue and the Old Jewish Cemetery are the largest and best-preserved monument of Jewish culture in Europe. This place is inextricably linked with Franz Kafka, the Golem and the Nazi genocide of the Jews. This is a completely different corner of Prague with its own architecture, but inextricably linked with the rest of the city.
Other points of interest include the Old Town Bridge Tower, the Malostrana Bridge Towers, the building of Carolineum University, the oldest in Europe (1348), founded by Charles IV, and Clementinum, a complex of buildings that once served the Charles University College, which today houses the National Library.
Excursion
We indicate a small route for an independent tour of the Old Town. You can start the journey from Republic Square, then along one of the oldest pedestrian streets in Prague - Celetnaya Street, where the Powder Gate is located. On this street is one of the places where Franz Kafka lived. Then you will get to the Old Town Square, Tyn Church and the Old Town Hall. There is also a monument to Jan Hus - the national Czech hero. Further - to the Charles bridge across Karpova street. From the bridge across the parallel streets - to the Jewish quarter of Joseph, where among the many many attractions described above, you can finish a small independent tour of the Old Town of Prague.
How to get there
The Old Town or Stare Mesto (Staré Město) is the very center of the city, the Prague 1 area. There are many pedestrian streets here, and those with cars allowed can be quite narrow. Therefore, it is recommended to come here by public transport. And if you stay at one of the many hotels in the Old Town, then everywhere you can walk.
Metro
The main metro station of the Old Town is called “Staroměstská”. This is a green branch, And the Prague metro. Exit from the metro - directly to Kaprova street. At one end of which is Charles Bridge, at the other - Old Town Square.
At the very border of the Old Town there is another station “Můstek” of the yellow line B. The distance from one to the other is about 1 kilometer.
Travel tickets in Prague are suitable for all types of public transport, but are measured by time, and not by the number of trips. That is, during the time indicated on the ticket, you can make as many transfers as you like.
A ticket for 30 minutes costs 24 Czech crowns, for 90 minutes - 32 crowns. For 1 day (24 hours) - 110 kroons, and for 3 days - 310 kroons.
By tram
Tram is one of the most common types of transport in Prague. They drive fast, quietly, they have an extensive network, and it is very convenient to use trams. If you need to get to the Old Town, it is convenient to use trams number 2 (goes from the Prague Castle), number 17 (crosses the city from north to south along the Vltava River) and number 18 (crosses Prague 6 and Prague 11).
All these trams stop at the Staroměstská stop, next to the metro with the same name.
On foot
Walking is the most convenient way to explore the Old Town. Here are a few distances from attractions located in other areas.
Prague Castle is about 1.5 km away
The famous Dancing House is about 1, 7 km
By taxi
As elsewhere, try to use the services of official carriers only so as not to be deceived. You will recognize taxi cars by their yellow color and “checkers”. All cars must have tariffs. An important rule is to agree on a price before the trip, so as not to be deceived.
Estimated taxi prices in Prague:
- landing price 40 CZK;
- the price of the trip is 19 kroons per 1 kilometer;
- price per wait 6 kroons per 1 minute.
The following taxi calling applications work in Prague: Uber POP, Liftago, AAA taxi, MODRY ANDEL.
On transfer
If you are staying at a hotel in the Old Town, you may find the transfer from Prague Airport to the hotel useful.
Search for transfers from Prague Airport named after Vaclav Havel / Ruzyne
Aerial View of the Old City: Google Panorama
Prague old city without tourists on Google-panorama:
Video about the Old Town:
Stare Mesto (or the Old City) is the historical district of the city, lurking the unique charm of ancient times. It is from here that modern Prague began its existence. The Old Town is located by the river. The center of the district is around which it has grown over the past centuries.
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And the outstanding historical monuments of Prague are found everywhere in this area. Architectural works of different eras and styles, sculptures and murals are found on the streets of the Old City. The majestic buildings of the old quarter are witnesses of large and small events in the history of Prague.
- Area: 1.29 km²
- Population: 10,256 (2006)
- Postcode: 110 00
At this place, the settlement appeared in the X century. Epochs have changed - the development of the Old City has changed. Renaissance mansions replaced the houses of the Gothic style, later Baroque palaces appeared. The historical district of Prague today hides under its many pavements the buildings of the past centuries with a height of an entire floor: mazes of ancient streets, cellars and cellars.
For tourists, the Old Town is the most interesting area of \u200b\u200bPrague. Walking routes through narrow streets and courtyards with arcades hiding behind gabled houses, churches, taverns and small shops leave an unforgettable impression on tourists.
Each street of the Old City is a gallery of art monuments, which carefully preserves the memory of medieval time and its heritage, expressed by architectural attractions. Over a thousand-year history, the Old City has concentrated a large number of houses and churches on its territory. This is a unique architectural complex, each stone of which breathes history.
The most famous sights of Stare Mesto.
