PRAGUE SIGHTS

Prague's unique medieval heart. Atmospheric gothic lanes, blackened stone facades, arches and churches, freshly restored baroque and renaissance buildings. Today a home of international companies and fashion designers, center of nightlife for the amount of bars, clubs and restaurants on every corner.

Old Town

The Old Town Square
- is the most important square of the royal town of Prague - it was the medieval town's main market place and has always been the center of action. Every church and house has its own history here. The center is dominated by the monumental memorial of the 14th century religious reformer, Jan Hus

Church of Our Lady before Tyn
- Old Town's parish church since the 12th century, an impressive gothic structure magnificently surpassing the Old Town Square. It was a church for the people and became a center of the reforming Hussites in the 15th century. The tomb of the astronomer Tycho Brahe was found here too.

Old Town Hall & Astronomical Clock
- the Old Town Hall as the symbol of the town's self-governance, was built in 1338. Since then it was adjoined by numerous houses, also by the house containing the Astronomical Clock where since 1490 in every hour of the day between 8 am and 8 pm the twelwe apostoles appear in the tiny windows.

Clementinum
- besides the Castle it is the largest complex of buildings in Prague. Once it was a college of the Charles University now the buildings give home to the National Library.

Rudolfinum
- "House of Arts". The beautiful neoclassical building built in the 19th century gives home to two concert halls

Jewish Town
- the main Parizska street is an elegant avenue of restaurants, coctail bars, designer shops. The spiritual heart of the Jewish Town is the Old-new Synagogue built in the 13th century. Belongs to one of Prague's earliest Gothic structures. The Old Jewish Cemetery has the earliest tombstone dating from 1439.

Charles Bridge - the city's most known construction was built in the 14th century. It is decorated by 30 statues added gradually from the end of the 17th century

Old Town Bridge Tower
- was built at the same time as the Charles Bridge- as a fortified tower and also the part of the Bohemian kings' coronation route. Inside the tower an exhibition of musical instruments from the National Museum can be found.

Powder Gate
- a gothic gateway dating back to the 15th century located at the eastern end of Celetna street. It is also the start of the Royal Route - traditional coronation path of Bohemian kings, today a popular tourist route leading through the Charles Bridge all the way up to the Prague Castle.

Prague Castle

Prague Castle
Founded around 870 by the Premysl princes, the complex of buildings and churches has been rebuilt many times since. Reconstructions on the St Vitus's Cathedral were made even in the 20th century. Its main buildings are:

St Vitus's Cathedral - can be found in the third courtyard- the oldest and most important site of the Castle. The magnificent structure has been built for 1000 years, the main façade completed in 1929.

Spanish Hall - the inside walls were built by G.M.Filippi, 1602 - 1606, and rebuilt in the 18th century. The walls were lined with mirrors in 1836, which cover the fresco decorations. Today it houses the Rudolph Gallery on the three upper stories.

Old Royal Palace
- the former residence of Bohemian princes and kings, contains 3 levels of royal apartments. It was built on relics of the romanesque palace of the Prince Sobeslav (12th century). Adittional reconstructions in gothic and renaissance style were made by famous Czech kings Pøemysl Otakar II., Charles IV., Wenceslas IV. and Vladislav Jagello. The most noteworthy space is the gothic Vladislav hall - the largest profane hall of the medieval Prague with a remarkable rounded rib vault, today the scene of presidential elections and representative events.

Golden Lane
- the most visited street in Prague with tiny coloured cottages originally built by the poor in the 16th century, later supposedly quartered by the alchemists of King Rudolf's period. One of them is famous Franz Kafka who has lived there.

Royal Garden
- dates back to the Renaissance times and the reign of Ferdinand of Hapsburg who had the Queen Anne Summer Palace built here. Other famous buildings here are the Singing Fountain (sings no longer though) or the Ball Game Court. The gardens are open in the summer season.

Belvedere
- located at the eastern end of the gardens. The first royal structure in Prague dedicated to pleasure-seeking. Built as a gift for the wife of Ferdinand I. The royal couple is immortalised in the reliefs adorning the façade.

Loreto - probably the most outlandish piece of baroque fantasy in Prague. Was built as part of a plan to reconvert the masses to Catholicism after the Thirty Years War. The 27 bells in the bell tower ring a melody of "We Greet You a Thousand Times" every hour.

Strahov Monastery - found by Premonstratensian monks in 1140 who started their proframme of celibacy and silent contemplation here. Today the monastery contains some magnificent libraries and religious art..

Lesser Town

The most romantic and atmospheric district of Prague skirting the hill of Hradcany. A craftsman's quarter during the medieval period, later the home of nobles in favour with the king full of palaces, embassies, fantastically ornate churches. It has always been the home of Prague's poets, drunks, mystics, artists and musicians. You'll hear serenades sung in conservatories on your way to one of the smoky cafes or a tiny jazz cellar. Today also a diplomatic quarter, home of offices, wine bars etc. Comparing to other parts of Prague, however, still a calm district with few businesses or shopping. It managed to preserve its ancient look especially in the back narrow quiet streets.

Lesser Town Square (Malostranske namesti)
- heart of the quarter, lively square with large baroque palaces and Renaissance townhouses as well as the famous 100-year-old "Malostranska kavarna".

Church of St Nicholas
- a monumental baroque building in the middle of the square. It's dome and adjoining bell tower dominate the skylineof Prague's left bank. It is the largest and most ornate of the many Jesuit-founded churches in Prague

Lichtenstein Palace
- the block next to the church, another Jesuit construction built as a college for its priests, now housing maths students.

Church of St Thomas
- hidden in the narrow Tomasska street. Based on a Gothic structure, later rebuilt in Baroque style . The symbol of the order, a flaming heart, can be seen all over the church. In the adjoining 17-th century cloisters monks used to occupy themselves first with alchemy, later on with beer. A door on Letenska leads to their former brewery, a restaurant today.

Nerudova Street
- heads up to the north-west corner of the Lesser Town Square (Malostranske namesti) towards the Castle. Named after the poet and novelist Jan Neruda. A picturesque street crowded with restaurants, cafes, shops and houses decorated with ornate signs used for distinguishing houses before the numbered adresses were begun to use.

Castle Steps
- next parallel street to the Nerudova leading up to the Castle. Offers a great view over the red tiled roofs, spires and domes of the Lesser Quarter.