Prague
Prague is the capital and largest city of the Czech Republic.It is one of the largest cities of Central Europe and has served as the capital of the historic region of Bohemia for centuries.This magical city of bridges, cathedrals, gold-tipped towers and church domes, has been mirrored in the surface of the swan-filled Vltava River for more than ten centuries.
Almost undamaged by WWII, Prague's medieval centre remains a wonderful mixture of cobbled lanes, walled courtyards, cathedrals and countless church spires all in the shadow of her majestic 9th century castle that looks eastward as the sun sets behind her.
Prague is also a modern and vibrant city full of energy, music, cultural art, fine dining and special events catering to the independent traveller's thirst for adventure.
It is regarded by many as one of Europe's most charming and beautiful cities, Prague has become the most popular travel destination in Central Europe along with Vienna and Krakow. Millions of tourists visit the city every year.
Tourism
Prague is the "Jewel in the Crown" of Central Europe, and in recent years tourism has played an important role in the development of the city.Its epic history has produced a vibrant city of stunning buildings and lovely old squares, with the result that today Prague is one of the world's most beautiful cities.
As visitors to Prague have increased, tourism has become of vital economic importance to the city.
The effects of tourism in Prague are mostly positive. Much of the post-communism reconstruction and regeneration of Prague has been driven by tourism, as ancient buildings have been transformed into fine restaurants and stylish hotels.
Sights in Prague
Prague Castle
Prague Castle is Prague’s most popular attraction. Looming above the Vltava's left bank, its serried ranks of spires, towers and palaces dominate the city centre like a fairy-tale fortress
The castle buildings span centuries and consists of a royal palace, a cathedral and three churches, a basilica, a monastery, defensive towers, royal stables, a tiny lane where craftsmen worked and magnificent gardens.The largest ancient castle in the world, this vast complex requires considerable time to tour, but it's time well spent. Highlights include the Old Royal Palace's main hall, the Vladislav Hall, so large it could be used for jousting tournaments, and staircases wide enough to allow mounted knights to use them. The cathedral in the castle complex is a jewel in Prague’s crown, a superb example of Gothic architecture. Kings and emperors are buried here.
Charles Bridge
Charles Bridge is a 14th century stone bridge linking the two sides of Prague. This magnificent structure, one of the city's finest attractions, is the main pedestrian route connecting the Old Town with the Lesser Town / Prague Castle. King Charles IV commissioned the bridge in 1357, replacing the Judith Bridge which was destroyed by a flood in 1342.
Thirty Baroque statues line the sides of the pedestrian bridge along with myriad vendor’s stalls, musicians, performance artists and beggars. A bustling, busy area, the bridge is almost never empty of people, although seeing it at dawn or in the evening will mean fewer crowds.Charles Bridge throngs with people during the day. Street artists sketch and musicians play; look out for the jazz band, who are particularly entertaining. But for a truly romantic and less crowded stroll, try early morning or any time in the evening.
There are now 75 statues on Charles Bridge, but most are copies, as floods and catastrophes over the centuries damaged the originals. Perhaps the most interesting, as well as the oldest, is that of John of Nepomuk.
The Dancing House
Dancing House is set in a fine location by the Vltava River in Prague. Its design is unique, and especially striking in the city centre because it is a modern building surrounded by historic architecture.
The Dancing House , Prague's most outstanding modern architectural creation, was built between 1992 and 1996 to designs by Frank Gehry.This remarkable structure contains both dynamic and static elements, and resembles a female dancer swaying in the arms of her male partner, the Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers of the architectural world. Located on the bank of the Vltava River and Resslova Street, Dancing House is a private office building except for a restaurant on the 7th floor, the Celeste, which is open to the public.
Prague Zoo
Prague Zoo is the most visited zoological garden in the Czech Republic. Annual visitor numbers are around 1.3 million.Prague Zoo is a few kilometres outside the city centre, but fairly easy to get to by public transport. There are 5000 animals and 650 species at the zoo, well organised over 69 hectares. The grounds stretch from a lush river valley up a steep, rocky escarpment to rolling meadows. The views at the summit are spectacular.
Over the course of 4 or 5 hours you should be able to cover most areas. Animals range from penguins, sea lions, lions, tigers and elephants to Markhor and Ibex - superbly held in mountain enclosures. Giraffes also have a huge valley to roam through.
Prague Zoo is well worth a visit, not just for the animals, but also for the pleasant countryside.ighlights include a chance to ride a chairlift with great views of many of the animal enclosures, a huge giraffe exhibit, the superb salamander display, and the steamy indoor tropical jungle.
Old Town Square
The Old Town Square is one of two main squares in Prague (Wenceslas Square is the other, just 5 minutes walk away).
With its ancient buildings and magnificent churches, this is one of the most beautiful historical sights in Europe.Here you'll find the Tyn Church and the Clementinum, along with numerous other fine old churches, as well as splendid old architecture dating back as far as the 11th century, while the Jewish Quarter, Josefov, is just a short walk north. Entranced visitors wander through the square, stopping for a spot of people-watching at one of the outdoor cafes or studying the square’s central statue of Jan Hus, church reformer and martyr.
To fully appreciate the beauty of the Old Town Square, sit back and soak up the atmosphere over a coffee or a cool beer at one of the pavement cafés lining the square. Or climb the Old Town Hall Tower for a stunning view over the square.
The Municipal House
Municipal House in Prague is the city's foremost Art Nouveau building, and one of the finest in Europe.Municipal House opened in 1912, having been constructed on the site of the former Royal Court Palace. It gained fame on the 28th October 1918 when the historic proclamation of the independent state of Czechoslovakia took place here.Municipal House is the main attraction on Republic Square. It stands next to the Powder Gate, one of the original entrances to Prague's Old Town. Both the Old Town Square and Wenceslas Square are just a few minutes walk away.
It is a beautiful building from all aspects. The outside has intricate stonework, gold trimmings, frescos and stained glass windows.
The interior is equally impressive and includes many fine stained glass windows and important paintings. While English language guided tours are available (including a chance to see otherwise closed ceremonial rooms), one of the best ways to enjoy this landmark is to take in a concert or sample its café or restaurants.
National Museum
The National Museum (Národní Muzeum) in Prague is set in a commanding position at the top of Wenceslas Square. It is currently closed for reconstruction.The National Museum is built on the site of the former Horse Gate, so named because Wenceslas Square once served as the main Prague horse market.
Its entrance hall is grand, with sweeping staircases and intricate stonework. There are also beautiful frescos on the ceilings.
The New Building is an iconic structure and very imposing. It is a huge oblong of concrete and glass elevated in the air.
Climate
In the winter, Prague has definitely its own magic. The snow may cover the surface but it sooner or later melts, so it doesn't usually last too long. However, the weather is pretty unpredictable so it very well may burst into a snow storm but that is not very common.
Spring season is one of the best times to come for a visit, especially in the month of May with the flora beginning to bloom after months of hibernation.
The summer is a very popular time to travel and you can expect to see an influx of tourism throughout the warmer months. The weather is warm and sunny but sometimes the heat waves can be overwhelming, so people with respiratory problems may have some trouble, this is also the country's rainy season.
Transport
Backed by a strong and comprehensive transportation network, how to reach Prague is one query that should not bother tourists at all. Roughly 20 km west of the city centre lies the Prague Ruzyne Airport, which serves as the gateway to the city. Supported by four terminals, it harbours carriers flying to largest number of European destinations. There are several flights operated by numerous carriers to destinations across the world too. Indian travellers planning a visit to the city, but unaware of how to reach Prague, can reach here by a number of flights. Tourists have to settle for indirect flights because of the absence of direct flights operating on this route. Aeroflot, Jet Airways, Turkish Airlines, Etihad Airways, British Airways, Finnair, Alitalia, Air France, Austrian Airlines and plenty others fly to Prague with stops in between. At the airport, travellers can find varied options like buses, shuttles, cars and taxis to travel to the city centre. The regional transport of Prague is quite extensive, ranging from cars, buses and shuttles to taxis, metros and trains. Since the roads remain congested, driving within the city is not advisable. Metro is considered the best way to travel as it is the fastest and most comfortable with over 40 stations connecting varied parts of the city.
Prague is the capital and largest city of the Czech Republic.It is one of the largest cities of Central Europe and has served as the capital of the historic region of Bohemia for centuries.This magical city of bridges, cathedrals, gold-tipped towers and church domes, has been mirrored in the surface of the swan-filled Vltava River for more than ten centuries.
Almost undamaged by WWII, Prague's medieval centre remains a wonderful mixture of cobbled lanes, walled courtyards, cathedrals and countless church spires all in the shadow of her majestic 9th century castle that looks eastward as the sun sets behind her.
Prague is also a modern and vibrant city full of energy, music, cultural art, fine dining and special events catering to the independent traveller's thirst for adventure.
It is regarded by many as one of Europe's most charming and beautiful cities, Prague has become the most popular travel destination in Central Europe along with Vienna and Krakow. Millions of tourists visit the city every year.
Tourism
Prague is the "Jewel in the Crown" of Central Europe, and in recent years tourism has played an important role in the development of the city.Its epic history has produced a vibrant city of stunning buildings and lovely old squares, with the result that today Prague is one of the world's most beautiful cities.
As visitors to Prague have increased, tourism has become of vital economic importance to the city.
The effects of tourism in Prague are mostly positive. Much of the post-communism reconstruction and regeneration of Prague has been driven by tourism, as ancient buildings have been transformed into fine restaurants and stylish hotels.
Sights in Prague
Prague Castle
Prague Castle is Prague’s most popular attraction. Looming above the Vltava's left bank, its serried ranks of spires, towers and palaces dominate the city centre like a fairy-tale fortress
The castle buildings span centuries and consists of a royal palace, a cathedral and three churches, a basilica, a monastery, defensive towers, royal stables, a tiny lane where craftsmen worked and magnificent gardens.The largest ancient castle in the world, this vast complex requires considerable time to tour, but it's time well spent. Highlights include the Old Royal Palace's main hall, the Vladislav Hall, so large it could be used for jousting tournaments, and staircases wide enough to allow mounted knights to use them. The cathedral in the castle complex is a jewel in Prague’s crown, a superb example of Gothic architecture. Kings and emperors are buried here.
Charles Bridge
Charles Bridge is a 14th century stone bridge linking the two sides of Prague. This magnificent structure, one of the city's finest attractions, is the main pedestrian route connecting the Old Town with the Lesser Town / Prague Castle. King Charles IV commissioned the bridge in 1357, replacing the Judith Bridge which was destroyed by a flood in 1342.
Thirty Baroque statues line the sides of the pedestrian bridge along with myriad vendor’s stalls, musicians, performance artists and beggars. A bustling, busy area, the bridge is almost never empty of people, although seeing it at dawn or in the evening will mean fewer crowds.Charles Bridge throngs with people during the day. Street artists sketch and musicians play; look out for the jazz band, who are particularly entertaining. But for a truly romantic and less crowded stroll, try early morning or any time in the evening.
There are now 75 statues on Charles Bridge, but most are copies, as floods and catastrophes over the centuries damaged the originals. Perhaps the most interesting, as well as the oldest, is that of John of Nepomuk.
The Dancing House
Dancing House is set in a fine location by the Vltava River in Prague. Its design is unique, and especially striking in the city centre because it is a modern building surrounded by historic architecture.
The Dancing House , Prague's most outstanding modern architectural creation, was built between 1992 and 1996 to designs by Frank Gehry.This remarkable structure contains both dynamic and static elements, and resembles a female dancer swaying in the arms of her male partner, the Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers of the architectural world. Located on the bank of the Vltava River and Resslova Street, Dancing House is a private office building except for a restaurant on the 7th floor, the Celeste, which is open to the public.
Prague Zoo
Prague Zoo is the most visited zoological garden in the Czech Republic. Annual visitor numbers are around 1.3 million.Prague Zoo is a few kilometres outside the city centre, but fairly easy to get to by public transport. There are 5000 animals and 650 species at the zoo, well organised over 69 hectares. The grounds stretch from a lush river valley up a steep, rocky escarpment to rolling meadows. The views at the summit are spectacular.
Over the course of 4 or 5 hours you should be able to cover most areas. Animals range from penguins, sea lions, lions, tigers and elephants to Markhor and Ibex - superbly held in mountain enclosures. Giraffes also have a huge valley to roam through.
Prague Zoo is well worth a visit, not just for the animals, but also for the pleasant countryside.ighlights include a chance to ride a chairlift with great views of many of the animal enclosures, a huge giraffe exhibit, the superb salamander display, and the steamy indoor tropical jungle.
Old Town Square
The Old Town Square is one of two main squares in Prague (Wenceslas Square is the other, just 5 minutes walk away).
With its ancient buildings and magnificent churches, this is one of the most beautiful historical sights in Europe.Here you'll find the Tyn Church and the Clementinum, along with numerous other fine old churches, as well as splendid old architecture dating back as far as the 11th century, while the Jewish Quarter, Josefov, is just a short walk north. Entranced visitors wander through the square, stopping for a spot of people-watching at one of the outdoor cafes or studying the square’s central statue of Jan Hus, church reformer and martyr.
To fully appreciate the beauty of the Old Town Square, sit back and soak up the atmosphere over a coffee or a cool beer at one of the pavement cafés lining the square. Or climb the Old Town Hall Tower for a stunning view over the square.
The Municipal House
Municipal House in Prague is the city's foremost Art Nouveau building, and one of the finest in Europe.Municipal House opened in 1912, having been constructed on the site of the former Royal Court Palace. It gained fame on the 28th October 1918 when the historic proclamation of the independent state of Czechoslovakia took place here.Municipal House is the main attraction on Republic Square. It stands next to the Powder Gate, one of the original entrances to Prague's Old Town. Both the Old Town Square and Wenceslas Square are just a few minutes walk away.
It is a beautiful building from all aspects. The outside has intricate stonework, gold trimmings, frescos and stained glass windows.
The interior is equally impressive and includes many fine stained glass windows and important paintings. While English language guided tours are available (including a chance to see otherwise closed ceremonial rooms), one of the best ways to enjoy this landmark is to take in a concert or sample its café or restaurants.
National Museum
The National Museum (Národní Muzeum) in Prague is set in a commanding position at the top of Wenceslas Square. It is currently closed for reconstruction.The National Museum is built on the site of the former Horse Gate, so named because Wenceslas Square once served as the main Prague horse market.
Its entrance hall is grand, with sweeping staircases and intricate stonework. There are also beautiful frescos on the ceilings.
The New Building is an iconic structure and very imposing. It is a huge oblong of concrete and glass elevated in the air.
Climate
In the winter, Prague has definitely its own magic. The snow may cover the surface but it sooner or later melts, so it doesn't usually last too long. However, the weather is pretty unpredictable so it very well may burst into a snow storm but that is not very common.
Spring season is one of the best times to come for a visit, especially in the month of May with the flora beginning to bloom after months of hibernation.
The summer is a very popular time to travel and you can expect to see an influx of tourism throughout the warmer months. The weather is warm and sunny but sometimes the heat waves can be overwhelming, so people with respiratory problems may have some trouble, this is also the country's rainy season.
Transport
Backed by a strong and comprehensive transportation network, how to reach Prague is one query that should not bother tourists at all. Roughly 20 km west of the city centre lies the Prague Ruzyne Airport, which serves as the gateway to the city. Supported by four terminals, it harbours carriers flying to largest number of European destinations. There are several flights operated by numerous carriers to destinations across the world too. Indian travellers planning a visit to the city, but unaware of how to reach Prague, can reach here by a number of flights. Tourists have to settle for indirect flights because of the absence of direct flights operating on this route. Aeroflot, Jet Airways, Turkish Airlines, Etihad Airways, British Airways, Finnair, Alitalia, Air France, Austrian Airlines and plenty others fly to Prague with stops in between. At the airport, travellers can find varied options like buses, shuttles, cars and taxis to travel to the city centre. The regional transport of Prague is quite extensive, ranging from cars, buses and shuttles to taxis, metros and trains. Since the roads remain congested, driving within the city is not advisable. Metro is considered the best way to travel as it is the fastest and most comfortable with over 40 stations connecting varied parts of the city.
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