Prague

Prague Castle

Prague Castle was established around 880AD by the prince Bořivoj who was a member of the great Czech Premyslids dynasty. The Prague Castle complex consists of Saint Vitus Cathedral (where Czech crown jewels are deposited, also many Czech rulers are buried there), viewing towers, museums and art galleries, a monastery, Golden Lane, several palaces, including Lobkowicz Palace, and St. George's Basilica; the latter being a popular venue for early evening classical concerts.

Many various architectures can be find in the complex – building of Romanic style from 10^th century such as late Gothic style. The castle is situated in Prague’s neighbourhood Hradčany. It has always been the seat of Czech rulers. Since 1918 Prague castle is the seat of Czech president. According to Guinness book of records Prague castle is the biggest in the world with its 570m of length and 130m of width. It is often considered to be the symbol of Prague and also the symbol of the Czech Republic.

Wenceslas Square

Wenceslas square is considered to be one of the most important Prague’s square and also its centre. In fact it is not really a square but 682m long and 60m wide boulevard which stretches from the Czech national museum to Můstek. Originally the square was named Koňský trh (horse’s market).

The square got its present name only in1848 according to the idea of famous Czech poet Karel Havlíček Borovský. The equestrian statue of saint Wenceslas was placed in a front of the museum in the 1913. Many hotels, offices, shops, exchange offices, shops with souvenirs and fast food shops are placed there. In its middle part square is crossed by a tram. It is also possible to come there by Prague’s subway.

Old Town Square

The square is the centre of the Old town and also of the historical part of Prague. It is stretched over more than 9000 m². Old town city hall with its famous Astronomical clock is situated on the south-east part of the square. In the middle of the square stands the statue of Jan Hus. Nearby is a stand of coaches. You can pay a ride in one of these and try how it was like in the past when only means of transportation were horses and coaches.

Astrological Clock (Orloj)

Prague’s Orloj is one of the oldest astrological clocks in the world. It is a part of the southern wall of the Old town city hall. It was constructed in the 1410. The Orloj has three main parts. The most interesting is probably the astronomical part which shows locations of celestial bodies. A calendar with paintings of Josef Manes from the 19^th century is placed underneath. Around astronomical part tourists can admire moveable puppets. Another important part of the clock is also procession of twelve apostles. They can be seen every hour over astronomical part.

Vyšehrad

Vyšehrad is the historical fortress on the hill over the right bank of Vltava river. Various legends from early Czech history are connected with this beautiful place (according to one of these Vyšehrad was the location of the first settlement which would later become Prague). At the end of the 11^th century Vyšehrad was the seat of the first king Vratislav II. who was also the only Czech ruler who has ever lived there.

Vyšehrad is one of the most important places in the history of the Czech nation and popular resort that offers a lot of important historical landmarks, unique view of Prague and Vltava river and also poetic walks.

The National Museum in Prague

One of the most obvious landmarks of Wenceslas Square is at the southeast, uphill end; the 1885-1891 National Museum Building, designed by Czech architect Josef Schulz. It is a typical example of neo-renaissance inspired by French classicism. It was founded for growing collections of the Society of the Patriotic Museum. It cost around 2.000.000 Czech gold coins to build the museum.

The building itself is monumental. The length of the front part is 140m and width of the building is 74m. It offers 39 show rooms and 235 rooms. Besides its monumentality the building is interested for various stones that were used for museum’s decoration.

National theatre

This neo-renaissance building designed by architect Josef Zítek is one of the most important buildings in the Czech Republic for its national, cultural, historical and also architectural meaning. Its construction lasted for a long time due to a monumentality of the building and also due to difficulties caused by increasing costs. 16^th of May 1868 the foundation stone was laid.

The theatre was opened for the first time on 11^th of June 1881 when the heir apparent Rudolph was on his visit in Prague. Two months later the building burnt up and it was reopened again only in the 1883. The very first performance was Smetana’s opera Libuše. The theatre is 26m high and it has very good acoustic and audibility. Over an auditorium there is 2 tonne heavy lustre which has 260 bulbs.

There are also three curtains between the stage and the auditorium – an iron curtain in case of a fire, second curtain decorated by Vojtech Hynais which celebrates a devotion of Czech people during the construction of the theatre, third curtain is made out of red velvet. Over these curtains there is a sign “The nation for itself” that should also remind of the devotion of the Czech people who donated money for the reconstruction after the theatre was destroyed after the fire.

Petřín

Petřín is a hill high 327m in the centre of Prague and it is also one of its dominants. Petřín has a lot to offer. A wonderful panoramic outlook on Prague can be seen from Petřín observation tower and if the weather is good it is also possible to see Říp mountain or České středohoří. The outlook tower was constructed in the 1891.

During only four months this five time smaller imitation of Eiffel tower in Paris was ready to welcome its first visitors. To get to the top of the tower you need to climb 299 stairs. On your way up you can take some rest in glassed-in gallery which is situated in 53m of high. Nearby the tower you can also visit a labyrinth where many mirrors that will show your body in all possible (and impossible) shapes can be found.

Charles Bridge

The bridge over Vltava River was constructed under the direction of Charles IV. who was very important person in the history of the Czech nation. Its construction started in the 1357 and was over around the 1402. The bridge was designed by architect Petr Parler. Due to the bridge Prague became to be one of the most important European crossroads. Originally the gothic bridge did not have any decorations.

Later in the 18^th century the bridge was ornamented with 30 beautiful baroque statues. On hand railings and pillars stand sculptures and sculptural groups of saints made by important baroque artists such as M.B. Braun, Brokoffs and many others. Among all sculptures the most valuable is considered to be the statue of saint Luitgarda made by Matyas Braun. The Charles Bridge is the oldest bridge over Vltava and the second oldest bridge in the Czech Republic.

Along with the Prague Castle the Charles Bridge creates world-known dominant that is visited by thousands of tourists from all over the world every year.

Powder Gateway

Another architectural jewel of Prague is surely Powder gateway. It is the end of the Royal Route which name derives from the coronation processions of the Bohemian kings, starting with George of Poděbrady in 1458. It is usually the end of the tour for many tourists who chose to walk this route along with the spirit of Czech kingship. If they are not tired enough they can always climb up to the top of the gateway. Its overall high is 57,7m.

Zoo

Prague’s zoological garden has been opened since 28^th September 1931. It is one of the most modern zoos in the Czech Republic and also the biggest. The zoo occupies 45 hectares (111 acres) and houses about 4,600 animals that represent 630 species from all around the world. The garden tries to show animals in conditions that are similar to their habitats. Prague Zoological Garden has contributed significantly to saving the Przewalski horse.