Prague Top 10

Prague is the capital of the Czech Republic and located in the picturesque Bohemia region. The city, with over one million inhabitants, is known as the City of a Hundred Spires or the Golden City, and is a UNESCO world heritage site.

Exploring Prague is like immersing yourself in a fairy-tale land with its cobbled streets and its infinite number of beautiful towers and charming buildings. What’s more, you’ll be able to discover the city’s boutiques, all exquisitely decorated, and try some of the Czech Republic's cuisine. Prague’s authentic Medieval atmosphere will captivate its visitors, making it impossible to forget their visit to the Czech Republic’s capital.

Charles Bridge

The Charles Bridge is the most famous monument in Prague and connects the Old Town (Staré Město) with the Lesser Town (Malá Strana)

_{Photo: João Reguengos}

With more than 500 meters long and 10 wide , the Charles Bridge once had 4 lanes for the passage of carriages. It is currently pedestrian. The Charles Bridge gets its name from its creator, Charles IV, who laid the first stone in 1357 to replace the Judit Bridge, which was destroyed by a flood.

The statues of the Charles Bridge

Along the Charles Bridge in Prague you will find 30 statues located on both sides of it, many of which are copies since the originals are in the National Museum in Prague and in Vyšehrad and were built at the beginning of the 18th century.

_{Photo: Dimitry Anikin}

The first statue added in 1683 was that of San Juan Nepomuceno. Juan Nepomuceno was thrown into the river in 1393 by order of Wenceslao IV and in the 18th century he was sanctified.

Make a wish

In the place from where San Juan Nepomuceno was thrown into the water is his statue. It is said that whoever makes a wish by placing his left hand on the representation of his martyrdom (at the base of the statue), it will be granted.

Crossing the bridge we will find, in addition to the statues, stalls and artists trying to make a living.

Powder Tower

The Powder Tower is one of the most famous towers in Prague and is one of the most representative symbols of the city.

_{Photo: Dimitry Anikin}

The Powder Tower (Prašná brána) is a blackened Gothic tower located at the entrance to the Old City.

A covered bridge joins the gloomy tower with the brilliant Municipal House, with which it forms a peculiar contrast.

The past of the tower

The tower was built in 1475 as one of the 13 gates in the fortified wall that gave access to the city. In 1541 it was destroyed by a devastating fire, but in a short time it was rebuilt. Years later, during the 17th century, the tower began to be used as a storage place for gunpowder , due to which it acquired its current name.

The tower from inside

The Powder Tower offers the possibility of accessing its interior to contemplate the "City of a Hundred Towers" from the top of one of the most special. Inside it houses an exhibition on the history of Prague and its towers.

Old Town Square

The Old Town Square is one of the most pleasant places in Prague. Since the Middle Ages it has been a center of social aggregation.

During the 11th century, the buildings extended from the Castle to the right bank of the Vltava River. At the end of this century the existence of a market in the current Old Town square is mentioned for the first time.

Over the next two centuries Prague continued to grow and in the 13th century it acquired the title of city. The town hall began to function in the middle of the 14th century.

_{Photo: Sewoon Lee}

What to see in the square?

Cozy and old, the square is surrounded by interesting narrow streets that are a real pleasure to walk through. The square is full of buildings of interest among which the Church of Our Lady of Týn, the Church of Saint Nicholas and the Old Town Hall stand out.

Church of Our Lady of Týn

Built in the 14th century on top of a former Romanesque church, the Church of Our Lady of Týn (Kostel Matky Boží před Týnem) is an impressive late-Gothic church that boasts two of the sharp towers that command the skies of Prague.

Nestled among the houses and narrow alleys of the city center, the Týn Church is the greatest symbol of Prague's Gothic style and a building with an important history. The church is 52 meters long and 28 meters wide, although its most important part is the impressive towers that are over 80 meters high.

Old Town Hall

The Old Town Hall is one of the buildings on the Old Town Square that attracts the most attention thanks to the impressive **Prague Astronomical Clock**.

_{Photo: Jack Hunter}

The building, used as a town hall until the end of the 18th century, stands out for its 60-meter-high Gothic tower from which you can see the city center from a bird's eye view.

Prague Castle

Prague Castle, built in the 9th century, is one of the largest castles in the world and the most important monument in the Czech Republic.

_{Photo: Florian van Duyn}

Far from the idea of ​​a medieval castle with a fortified appearance, Prague Castle is made up of a set of beautiful palaces and buildings connected by small and picturesque alleys.

It can be said that the history of Prague begins with the construction of the castle , its strategic location soon made it the center of the territory and it was the residence of the Kings of Bohemia since its foundation by Prince Borivoj.

In 1918 Prague Castle became the residence of the President of the Czech Republic and since then the President has had his office there.

What to see in the Castle

The castle has countless buildings with an important historical and artistic value, these are some of the most outstanding:

- St. Vitus Cathedral With an important history and remarkable artistic value, the St. Vitus Cathedral is the symbol of Prague and the entire Czech Republic.

- Callejón del Oro The small Callejón del Oro is one of the most welcoming corners inside the castle grounds. Occupied by colorful houses that once sheltered goldsmiths, today the area has interesting artisan shops.

- Old Royal Palace Created in the 9th century as a primitive wooden palace, the old palace underwent major changes to become the impressive building that stands today.

- Basilica and Convent of St. George Founded in 920, the old basilica was enlarged in 973 with the construction of the convent, which now houses the 19th-century Bohemian art collection of the National Gallery in Prague.

- Daliborka Tower Famous city jail that originally housed members of the nobility, but later became a more common prison.

- Black Tower Known by that name due to a fire that left it blackened, this tower functioned as a prison for debtors, prisoners who had numerous privileges.

- White Tower Tower used as a prison for members of the nobility.

- Powder Tower Built in the 15th century as part of the castle fortification, the Powder Tower ended up being converted into the laboratory of the alchemists of King Rodolfo II.

You will find more information on the official website of the Prague Castle.

St. Vitus Cathedral

St. Vitus Cathedral is the most important cathedral in Prague and one of its most significant monuments.

_{Photo: Anthony Delanoix}

The St. Vitus Cathedral is located inside the Prague Castle.

Its construction began in 1344 by order of Juan de Luxemburg and, after several periods and different architects, it was finally completed in the 19th and 20th centuries. St. Vitus Cathedral opened its doors to the public at the end of 1929.

The cathedral houses the tomb of Wenceslaus IV (The Good King), the Crown Jewels, and is the coronation site of the kings of Bohemia.

Climb the tower

If you want to have the best views of Prague and you don't mind doing a bit of exercise, you can climb the towers of the cathedral by its steep spiral stairs. From the top you will have a magnificent view of the Charles Bridge, Staré Město and Malá Strana.

The height of the highest tower is 99 meters , and those of the two twin towers 80 meters.

Golden Lane

The Golden Lane is a short, narrow and beautiful street located inside the Prague Castle. It owes its name to the goldsmiths who inhabited it in the 17th century.

The left side of the Callejón del Oro is occupied by colorful houses that were built on the walls of the castle. These houses were built at the end of the 16th century with the initial purpose of giving shelter to the 24 guardians of the castle.

A century after they were built, the goldsmiths' guild occupied the houses and modified them. They lived in them for several centuries.

Around the 19th century they were inhabited by beggars and criminals from Prague. In the 20th century they were evicted and the houses have been converted into little shops selling puppets , glass and other typical products.

Franz Kafka's House

The Callejón del Oro is especially known because Franz Kafka, one of the most influential writers of the 20th century, lived in house number 22 between 1916 and 1917.

Do not miss it

El Callejón del Oro will surprise you, do not miss it and take the opportunity to enter as many houses as possible.

We especially liked the puppet shops and the medieval armor and weapons shops. In the weapon shop you can shoot a crossbow (and take the target as a souvenir).

Wenceslas Square

Wenceslas Square is the center of the New Town and is a place that has witnessed many of the events in the recent history of Prague and the Czech Republic.

_{Photo: Ralf Roletschek}

The square has an elongated shape and measures 750 meters long by 60 wide. The surrounding buildings are mostly hotels , restaurants and fashion stores. Formerly the horse market founded in 1348 was located in the square.

The most famous building on the square is the National Museum in Prague , a building completed in 1890.

A historical place

The most important event that has taken place in Wenceslas Square happened in November 1989 , when a demonstration against police brutality started the Velvet Revolution and the fall of communism.

Best of day

Although this square must be visited and known, we cannot say that it is especially beautiful, since it is not pedestrianized and rather looks like a large avenue. When it gets dark, the atmosphere may not be to the liking of most of the visitors.

Prague Jewish Cemetery

Located in the Jewish quarter, this famous and ancient cemetery will surprise us. It is estimated that there are more than 100,000 bodies buried.

_{Photo: Postdlf}

The Old Jewish Cemetery in Prague is an awe-inspiring place that has its own history. Located in Josefov , it was for more than 300 years the only place where Jews were allowed to be buried in Prague.

A place where time has not passed

The Jewish cemetery was created in 1439 (this is how the first tombstone of Avigdor Karo dates ) and, although it grew over the years, it did not spread as much as it should have and its character can still be seen today.

Due to the lack of space, the bodies were buried one on top of the other (reaching more than 10 stacks). Today more than 12,000 tombstones can be seen.

Don't wait in line

As a recommendation , if there is a queue at the cemetery, you can buy the ticket at any of the Jewish synagogues and then return and access directly. The ticket is combined and is valid for both places.

Essential

The visit to the Jewish Cemetery in Prague cannot be described in any other way than it is essential. For many visitors, including us, it is the most impressive place in the city and represents part of its history.

Prague Black Theater

The Black Theatre, despite being performed in other countries, is an experience native to Prague and attending a performance should be a must for all travellers.

_{Photo: Black Light Theater}

The Black Theater in Prague is a totally different theater based on the inability of the human eye to distinguish black on black.

In a Black Theater play the actors are fully dressed in black clothing and perform against a black background. This makes the viewer only see what the actors want to show.

Illuminated objects, phosphorescent items or floating characters are some of the elements that make this art special.

Although the origins date back to Chinese imperial times, the Czechs revolutionized the technique by making the Black Theater the most popular show in Prague. In the Czech capital, lights, shadows, mime and acrobatics began to be used in a better way.

A detail that travelers who do not speak other languages ​​will especially like is that the works of Black Theater are silent, with the background music playing a major role.

The Black Theater in the world

Although today you do not have to travel to Prague to see a Black Theater play (these plays are even performed in some theme parks), it does not mean that on the trip to Prague it is almost mandatory to go to one of these plays. You always like to enjoy something in the place where it originated.

Theaters and plays

In Prague there are several Black Theater venues:

- Ta Fantastika Karlova 8, Stare Mesto, Prague 1. Subway: Staromestska.

- Black Light Image Theater Parizska 4, Stare Mesto, Prague 1. Metro: Staromestska.

- Blanik Theatre Vaclavske namesti 56, Prague 1. Metro: Muzeum.

- Theater Metro Národní 25, Prague 1. Metro: Národní.

- Animato Theatre Na Příkopě 10, Prague 1. Metro: Můstek.

When it comes to choosing the work, Aspects of Alice is the best known work of the Black Theater in Prague. It narrates Alice's passage from childhood to adolescence after leaving Wonderland. It is depicted in Ta Fantastika. A more modern play in a more current theater is Anthology , which is performed at the Srnec black light theater.

Prices

The prices are not excessively cheap. Tickets cost between 20€(twenty-oneUS$) and 30€(31.50US$) depending on the work.

If you arrive in Prague without having booked, you can try to get a discount by taking a boat trip on the Vltava. On the Charles Bridge there are boats that will give you a discount for the theaters when doing the ride.

## Boat trip on the Vltava

A boat trip on the Vltava is an experience that no traveler can miss. Touring Prague from the boat is a nice way to see the city. Discover the best boat tours in Prague.

_{Photo: Josef Stepanek}

There are many types of boat tours of Prague: from short walks to see the city from the river, to day and night cruises with lunch and dinner.

If you want to have a perfect evening you can opt for a walk with dinner and live music, seeing Prague illuminated from the Vltava and enjoying a good dinner is always a success.

The Vltava River is the longest river in the Czech Republic at 430 kilometers. Its source is at the sources of Šumava and along its course it joins the Elbe River.

As a curiosity, the Czech name for the Vltava river is Vltava.

Costs

Hotels: Double room an average price of €97 per night.

Food: €20 per person, lunch and dinner, per day in a mid-ranged restaurant

Car rental: from €44 per day.