Of course a visit of Prague cannot fail at your holliday. About Prague
itself you can write a book with information. This is full of old
buildings, churches etc. We will write down the most known sights of the
town:
1.Prague
castle
Prague Castle is the most popular sight visited in Prague. It is the
largest ancient castle in the world (570 m long, on average 128 m wide,
area 7.28 hectares).
Constructed in the 9th century by Prince Bořivoj, the castle transformed
itself from a wooden fortress surrounded by earthen bulwarks to the
imposing form it has today. Rulers made their own additions so there is
a mixture of styles. Prague castle has had four major reconstructions,
but it keeps its classical facelift it took on in the 18 century during
the reign of Maria Theresa.
The castle has three courtyards and it has always been the seat of Czech
rulers as well as the official residence. Allow at least half a day (it
does not include time for museum visits) if you want to examine it in
depth.
2. St.-Vituskathedral
(Katedrála Sv. Víta)
The cathedral's foundation stone was laid
in 1344 by Emperor Charles IV. The first architect was Matthias of Arras,
after his death Petr Parler took over and completed much of the
structure in late-Gothic style. Over the following centuries renaissance
and baroque details were added and the job was completed in 1929. The
most beautiful of numerous side chapels, Parler's Chapel of St Wenceslas,
houses the crown jewels and the tomb of “Good King” Wenceslas.
There are many superb exaples of 20th century Czech stained glass and
marvellous pieces of art, for example a wooden relief by Caspar
Bechterle that shows the escape of Frederik of the Palatinate from
Prague in 1621, and wooden Crucifixion by František Bílek
The Royal Crypt contains the remains of Charles IV, Wenceslas IV, George
of Poděbrady and Rudolf II.
There are excellent views from the Great Tower on a clear day.
The golden lane (Zlatá ulička)
Named after the goldsmiths who lived here in the 17th
century, Golden Lane is popular with its tiny colourful houses built
right into the arches of the Castle walls. In the 18th and 19th
centuries they were occupied by squatters, later it was the home of the
writer France Kafka (house 22) and the Nobel-laureate poet Jaroslaf
Seifert. Most of them are souvenir shops today.
3.The jewish quater Josefov
Named after the emperor Josef II, whose reforms helped to ease living
conditions for the Jewish, the Jewish Quarter contains the remains of
Prague's former Jewish ghetto. As many of the Jewish died during the
WWII and were forced by the communist regime to leave the country, the
current Prague community numbers 5000 – 6000 people. There are two
figures synonymous with this part of the city, Franz Kafka (1883 – 1924)
and the mystical humunculus Golem created by Jehuda ben Bezalel, also
known as Rabi Löw.
4.Charles Bridge (Karlův most)
Named after the Emperor Charles IV in 19th century the Charles Bridge is
Prague's most familiar monument. Designed by Petr Parler, it was
completed in 1400 and it connects the Lesser Town with the Old Town.
Although it is now pedestrianised, it withstood wheeled traffic for 600
years. There are thirty statues on the bridge, many of them have been
replaced with copies. Originals are kept in the Lapidarium of the
National Museum and at Vyšehrad. The magnificent Gothic Old Town Bridge
Tower was designed by Petr Parler and built at the end of the 14th
century. It is considered the finest Gothic tower in central Europe,
mainly for its decoration. There are marvellous views of the Vltava
river Valley, the Žofín, Střelecký Island, the Old Town and the Lesser
Town.
Charles Square (Karlovo náměstí)
Originally a cattle market, the square was founded by
Charles IV as the main centre of Prague's new side. It is the largest
enclosed square in Prague and one of the largest in Europe. The New Town
Hall (Novoměstská radnice), which served to its purpose up to the year
1784, was built between the years of 1377 – 1418. Renovated in 1905 the
town hall today is used for administrative purposes, cultural and social
events. Another attractions are the Baroque Cathedral of St. Ignatius (Chrám
sv. Ignáce) completed in 1670 by Carlo Lurago and the Emause Monastery (Emauzský
klášter) founded in 1347. Its extraordinary series of frescos in the
cloister are the largest collection of medieval wall paintings outside
Italy.
Since the mid-19th century the Charles Square has been a park. Today, it
is surrounded by busy roads but with its many statues of Czech writers,
scientists and artists, it is still a nice place to sit and relax.
5. Old Town Hall (Staroměstská radnice)
Old Town's ancient town hall was established in 1338
after the agreement of King John of Luxemburg to set up a town council.
Several old houses had to be knocked together over the centuries as the
Old Town Hall expanded. A Gothic chapel and a neo-Gothic north wing were
destroyed by the Nazis in spring 1945. The chapel has been reconstructed.
The most popular part of the tower is the Town Hall Clock (Orloj).
Originally instaled in 1410, the clock was rebuilt by the Master Hanuš
in 1490. It consists of three parts – the procession of Apostles, the
astronomical clock and the calendar. The main attraction is the hourly
procession of the 12 Apostles. The height of the tower is 69,5 m and it
offers a great view of the city.
Old Town Square (Staroměstské náměstí)
Being Prague's heart since the 10th century and its main
market place until the beginning of the 20th century, the spacious 1.7
hectare Old Town Square has been the scene of great events, both
glorious and tragic. There are beautiful pastel-coloured buildings of
Romanesque or Gothic origin with fascinating house signs. Some of the
most prominent examples include the Kinský Palace, the House of the
Stone Bell and the Štorch House. Today, the Old Town Square offers
visitors a tourist information office, number of restaurants, cafés,
shops and galleries.
Prague is at a distance of 97 km. from Stupna and certainly worth a
visit.
Furthermore Czeck Republic has a lot of places of interest, of which a
lot of castles, which almost always are open for visitors.