Prague

TOP 10

Old Town Square

1. Prague Castle through the narrow, steep 6. The Jewish town 9. Petřín Hill
(Pražský hrad) streets of the Lesser Town of Josefov
(Malá Strana). (Židovské město Josefov) Surrounded by trees on the
Climb the Old Castle Steps top of Petřín, you will forget
to Prague Castle and visit its 4. Charles Bridge Follow the footsteps of Franz that you are in the heart of
courtyards and the interiors (Karlův most) Kafka and Prague’s famous a metropolis.
of the Old Royal Palace. From rabbis to the narrow lanes of
St. Vitus Cathedral (Katedrála Take an early morning walk the former Jewish ghetto. 10. Estates Theatre
sv. Víta), head to the Golden across the medieval stone (Stavovské divadlo)
Lane (Zlatá ulička) – a former bridge, before its magnificent 7. The Infant Jesus
haven for alchemists and Baroque statues are besieged of Prague Go to the Estates Theatre to
Prague is said to be the “heart charlatans. by crowds of tourists. (Pražské Jezulátko) see the opera The Marriage
of Figaro where it was
of Europe” and is sometimes 2. Vyšehrad 5. Old Town Square with Visit the Church of Our
Lady Victorious (Kostel
personally conducted by the
genius Wolfgang Amadeus
called the “mother of Soak up the atmosphere
of the Vyšehrad fortified
the Astronomical Clock
(Staroměstské náměstí) Panny Marie Vítězné), where
pilgrims pray to the famous
Mozart in 1787. This opera
has played here ever since.
cities”. Over the centuries, settlement, where before the Do not forget that the Old Infant Jesus of Prague for

people have invented such

arrival of Christianity pagan Town Square is the true heart protection and help.
princes prayed to their forest of Prague. What’s more, at

nicknames for Prague as the

idols and where today stands the top of every hour you
Practical one of the most beautiful can see a procession of the
8. Municipal House
(Obecní dům)
City of a Hundred Spires, information churches in Prague. Apostles on the Old Town Hall
Astronomical Clock (Orloj)! Go to a concert of Mozart
Golden Prague or Magic for travelling 3. Palace Gardens Then, while enjoying a beer or
coffee under Baroque arcades,
or Vivaldi at the Municipal
House, the most magnificent
Prague – always celebrating to Prague is (Palácové zahrady)
you can watch the bustle on the Czech Art Nouveau building.
available also Relax on the terraces of square and admire the towers
its architectural and spiritual at prague.eu
the Baroque gardens below
Prague Castle and stroll
of Týn Church (Týnský chrám).

richness and its mystical A guided tour of Prague

attraction. You will discover We will lead you to famous
the glorious history of this monuments and places
full of history and also trace
former imperial and royal city, the footsteps of celebrated
personalities, all with the
which today is the lively and high-quality commentary
of professional tour guides.
modern capital of Czechia, A QR code link to the
website prague.eu, where
at almost every step on you can purchase the
service online.
Prague’s storied streets. The most beautiful
photographs of the
panorama of Prague Castle
with the Charles Bridge can
be taken from the Smetana
Prague Castle and Charles Bridge Embankment (Smetanovo
The Church of Our Lady before Týn nábřeží).

visitczechia.com 1
 Astronomical Clock on the Old Town Square Take a boat trip on the
Vltava River and visit the
Troja Chateau with its
beautiful gardens, art
gallery and wine cellars.
Near the chateau is
a popular zoo and botanical
garden. Steamboats
sail from the Rašín
Embankment (Rašínovo
nábřeží) daily from late
March to late October.

Prague Troja Chateau

Architecture
Gothic and Romanesque The Church of Our Lady
glory before Týn, with two
80-metre towers, was in its
The oldest Romanesque time the tallest building in
church building in Prague is Prague. The church is the
the 11th-century Rotunda burial place of the Danish
of St. Martin at Vyšehrad, astronomer Tycho Brahe.
with circumferential walls
nearly a metre thick. The The fame of the Prague
most famous, of course, is Astronomical Clock spread
the Basilica of St. Jiří throughout Europe. Many
at Prague Castle, in whose wanted the Czech clockmaker
interior you can see the Master Hanuš to construct
tomb of the Czech patron for their city an equally
St. Ludmila. wondrous instrument for
measuring time. The Prague
Gothic architecture city councillors did not want
experienced its greatest to lose the uniqueness of their Church of St. Nicholas
period of expansion in Prague clock, so they had Master
in the 14th century, during Hanuš blinded. Other legends
the reign of the Holy Roman are told about the Old Town
Emperor and Bohemian Astronomical Clock. One says north of the Alps. Its interior In the Royal Garden in
King Charles IV. St. Vitus that when the instrument is decorated with huge front of the Queen Anne
Cathedral and the Old stops working, war will come frescoes with scenes from Summer Palace you will see
Prague has always been Royal Palace at Prague
Castle are among the jewels
to the land. the life of St. Nicholas. The
composer W. A. Mozart rarely
the Renaissance “Singing
Fountain”. The sound of
a living organism, where of European architectural Prague’s Renaissance missed an opportunity to play water falling on a bronze
bowl recalls the distant
over the centuries
heritage. beauty the church’s organ with its
four thousand pipes. ringing of Prague’s bells.

all European architectural

A photo of the Charles One of Prague’s first Carefully position your ear
Bridge with the silhouette buildings in the Italian The Clementinum below the bottom of the

styles have appeared. of Prague Castle in the

background (p. 1) – this has
Renaissance style is the
imposing Schwarzenberg
(Klementinum) is one of the
greatest Baroque complexes
lower bowl and let yourself
be transported.
Prague now boasts a totally become the visual symbol of
the city of Prague. The bridge,
Palace on Hradčany Square
(Hradčanské náměstí).
in Central Europe. The most
interesting places here are the
unique and extensive with 31 statues and a massive
tower at either end, is more
Nearby stands Martinic
Palace, where several
68-metre Astronomical Tower
and the Baroque library hall
historical city centre, than half a kilometre long. Its
most famous decoration is
episodes of the popular
historical series The Borgias
with unique globes from the
18th century. Here you will
A guided tour of Prague
A magnificent textbook
which since 1992 has been a Baroque statue of St. John
of Nepomuk.
were shot. Both palaces are
notable for their outstanding
also find the oldest Czech
meteorological station.
of architecture.

a protected UNESCO
Discover the city’s most
sgraffito decoration. beautiful buildings and the
The Old Town Hall complex The Baroque gardens
World Heritage Site. is made up of a 70-metre
tower, three adjacent
Baroque pearls of Prague situated on the slopes below
Prague Castle and in the
history of their origins.

buildings, and its biggest It is said about the Church Lesser Town will entice you to
attraction: the Astronomical of St. Nicholas (Kostel relax. Be sure not to miss the
Clock, where at every hour sv. Mikuláše) in the Lesser terraced Vrtbovská Garden
wooden statues of the twelve Town that it is the most and the garden of Wallenstein
Apostles file past. valuable Baroque building Palace (Valdštejnský palác).

2 Prague visitczechia.com 3
 Vinohrady Theatre Powder Tower and Municipal House
Prague Cubism

House at the Black Madonna, Cubist Café

Symmetrical Classicist and

Empire styles
concerts and art exhibitions.
The beautiful building of the National Theatre Sharp edges, geometric
Classicism was inspired by the
National Theatre (Národní
divadlo) is the representative
forms and crystalline
ancient world, eliminating the
ostentatious ornamentation
stage of Czechia and one of
the symbols of Czech identity.
structures – these are the
of the Baroque period and
embracing austerity and
Because of its rich gold
decoration, this theatre on
typical elements that adorn
simplicity. A prime example
is the Estates Theatre
the banks of the Vltava River the facades and also the
interiors of buildings created
is often called the “golden
on the street Fruit Market chapel”.

in the unique architectural

(Ovocný trh). W. A. Mozart
liked it so much that he had Among church buildings,
precisely this theatre in mind
when writing his opera Don
noteworthy ones are the
Neo-Gothic Church of style of Czech Cubism.
Giovanni, which had its world St. Ludmila on Peace
premiere here in 1787. The Square (náměstí Míru) in Visit the most famous Cubist the Baroque statue of the
Czech-born film director the Vinohrady quarter and building, the House at the Black Madonna on the corner Kovařovic Villa
Miloš Forman shot scenes the Basilica of Sts. Peter Black Madonna (U Černé of the house, which gave the
for his Oscar-winning film and Paul (Basilika sv. Matky Boží), designed by the building its name.
Amadeus here. Petra a Pavla) at Vyšehrad, Grand Hotel Evropa. Visit the villa of the sculptor leading Czech architect Josef located below Vyšehrad. Not tram line leading from the
which is one of the dominant Also significant is the and graphic artist František Gočár. It houses an original A walking tour of Prague far from the Výtoň tram stop city centre to Podolí below
Other examples of Classicism landmarks of Prague. Pojišťovna Praha Bílek near Prague Castle. Cubist café with beautiful Cubism is the opulent Kovařovic Vyšehrad Rock stands the
and the Empire style in building, whose facade The Art Nouveau building chandeliers and light fixtures Villa. On the corner of two-storey “Triple House”.
Prague are the Church of Gems of Prague Art is decorated with a large with its rough brick facade and also the Kubista shop, Take a walk past three of Neklanova and Přemyslova
the Holy Cross (Kostel Nouveau and colourful Czech lion; was intended by the artist where you can buy products the most beautiful Cubist streets is a masterpiece of
sv. Kříže) on Na Příkopě the Industrial Palace to express fields of grain such as jewellery, ceramics residential buildings in architectural Cubism – On a walk through the
street, the U Hybernů Art Nouveau architecture (Průmyslový palác) at (the columns) and a scythe, and light fixtures by designers Prague, designed by the a four-storey residential centre of Prague, don’t
building on the Square is characterized by its rich the Výstaviště exhibition which is represented by the inspired by this style. Note architect Josef Chochol and building. And beside the overlook the unique
of the Republic (náměstí ornamentation with grounds in Holešovice, unusual semicircular layout Cubist lamppost made
Republiky) and the Kinský a wealth of floral motifs, all where exhibitions and fairs of the house. A permanent of artificial stone, metal
Villa at the foot distinctively decorated in have been held since the exhibition presents Bílek’s and glass on Jungmann
of Petřín Hill. ceramic, gold, enamel and 19th century; and the lavish sculptural works from his Square (Jungmannovo
coloured cut glass. It was in Vinohrady Theatre on peak creative period. náměstí). Credited with
Historical architecture full bloom in the early 20th Peace Square (náměstí Míru), the preservation of this
of the 19th century century when the grand which in its day became the lamppost was the world-
representational building of symbol of the wealth of the famous Czech architect
The monumental Neo- the Royal City of Prague was Vinohrady quarter. Jan Kaplický, who designed
Renaissance building of constructed – the Municipal such buildings as the Lord’s
the National Museum House. The regal appearance Media Centre in London.
(Národní muzeum), of this building is crowned Go to see Mozart’s opera
which occupies the entire with outstanding artistic The Marriage of Figaro
top of Wenceslas Square decoration by many of the at the Estates Theatre,
(Václavské náměstí), is prominent personalities of presented in the original
of crucial importance to the time, such as the world- Italian with English A guided tour of Prague
the Czech nation, as is the famous painter Alfons Mucha. subtitles. A magnificent textbook
Rudolfinum building on Jan You can visit its perfectly of architecture.
Palach Square (náměstí Jana preserved Art Nouveau café, Discover the city’s most
Palacha), which hosts major and you can do likewise at the beautiful buildings and the
House at the Black Madonna history of their origins.

4 Prague visitczechia.com 5
 Panorama of the Hradčany quarter 5

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8 1 4
3
2
7

At the ancient seat of

Bohemian kings you will
encounter unique buildings
from many architectural
periods, from the Middle Ages
to the 20th century. Today
the castle is the seat of the
president of Czechia, yet
a large part of the complex
is still open to the public. Changing of the guard at Prague Castle

St. Vitus Cathedral (1) its magnificent late Gothic offers a beautiful view of the Do not miss the ceremonial
is the largest and most vaulting. The St. Jiří Deer Moat (Jelení příkop) passing of the standards
important church in Prague. Basilica (3) enjoys renown (7) below Prague Castle and changing of the guard
Don’t miss the Art Nouveau as one of the oldest religious – a wooded ravine where at Prague Castle, which
window by Alfons Mucha, the buildings in Central Europe. Emperor Rudolf II went to is held with great fanfare

Prague Castle
Gothic tombs of Czech kings It was founded as early as hunt game. every day at noon in the
or the Chapel of St. Wenceslas 920, and with the exception of castle’s first courtyard.
(Kaple sv. Václava), the the façade, which was lavishly The Baroque Riding
patron saint of the nation. rebuilt in the Baroque style, School (Jízdárna Pražského
Inside the chapel, which is it retains its Romanesque hradu) (8), which is more
richly decorated with semi- character. The colourful little than 90 metres long, was
precious stones, there is houses with tiny windows where the nobility came to
a room that protects the and chimneys in the Golden hone their equestrian skills.
Czech crown jewels – Lane (4) are where until the It now holds exhibitions of
a crown, sceptre and orb. mid-20th century craftsmen fine art.
They are displayed on special and artists lived, including
occasions. Do not overlook Franz Kafka.
the valuable mosaic above
the Golden Gate next to the The Queen Anne Summer
entrance to the south tower, Palace (Letohrádek
from which you can enjoy Královny Anny) (5) in the
spectacular views. Royal Garden was built for
festivities but also for rest
The Old Royal Palace and relaxation. In the park
(Starý královský palác) (2) in front of it is the “Singing
served as the residence of Fountain”. The Daliborka
Czech kings until the 16th Tower (6) was part of the
century. During a tour of castle fortifications. Today
the palace you will see the you can see the foundations
Chapel of St. Wenceslas great Vladislav Hall with of the dungeon, and the tower

6 Prague visitczechia.com 7
 Old Town Towers

The tower of the Old Town

Hall offers the most
comfortable ascent – it
is completely accessible by
wheelchair. From the nearly
60-metre tower you will have

Panoramic
a beautiful view of the Old
Town Square and the roofs of
the nearby houses.

The Petřín Tower (in

Prague
Petřín Gardens), which is
the younger sister of the
Eiffel Tower, has the most
stairs – 299. It measures
only 60 metres, but it is set
in a beautiful location – on
top of Petřín Hill, which is Vyšehrad
popular with Prague residents
as a place for walks. In good
weather, you can catch Other Prague towers are
a glimpse of Říp Mountain in cerainly worth a visit – the
the distance, a hallowed place belltower of the Church of St.
in Czech history. Nicholas in the Lesser Town,
the Old Town and Lesser
The Žižkov TV Tower Town towers of the Charles
(Žižkovská televizní věž) Bridge, and the Powder
affords the most distant Tower.
views. Prague’s tallest
structure (216 metres), it Views of Prague will open
Panoramic views of Prague has a panoramic terrace
from which on a clear day
up before you not only from
Prague’s towers but also from
are truly breathtaking. When you can even see the peaks the surrounding hilltop parks

you look out over the city from

of the Krkonoše Mountains – you will enjoy a bird’s-eye
in north-east Bohemia. view from Vyšehrad, Petřín,

the Prague Castle, you will see The sculptor David Černý
mounted huge sculptures of
Hradčany or Letná Plain.

why it is called the City of climbing babies on the tower’s Petřín Tower
exterior.
a Hundred Spires – countless The most beautiful On the large map, look for
towers and the spires of view of the Prague Castle
complex is your reward for A guided tour of Prague
the symbol. It indicates
the places that will offer
churches and other buildings climbing the 287 steps to the
observation deck of the tower
A magnificent textbook
of architecture.
you the loveliest views of
Prague.
rise above it. of St. Vitus Cathedral. Inside
the tower is the largest Czech
Discover the city’s most
beautiful buildings and the
bell, nicknamed Zikmund. history of their origins.

Old Town Towers

8 Prague visitczechia.com 9
Romantic
Prague
A view of Prague from Petřín Hill

Romantic Kampa is
located in the Lesser Town,
just below the Charles
Bridge. Originally it was an
island separated from the
mainland by the Čertovka
mill race. Waterwheels can
be seen to this day, as well as
picturesque houses and small
squares from which you can
head to beautiful park land
near the river.

Other islands are also

romantic – you can relax
pleasantly on the grass on
Shooting (Střelecký) Island –
at sunset there is an especially
breathtaking view of the
National Theatre from here.
Prague is a city tailor-made An ideal place for romantic
for romance. Evening strolls walks is Letná Park above
the Vltava River, and
On Slavic (Slovanský) Island
you can rent a rowboat
through the narrow streets in a popular place for picnics
is the former game park
or a pedal boat and see
the Charles Bridge, the
the glow of old street lamps, Stromovka. art museum at Sova Mills
(U Sovových mlýnů) and
exploring half-forgotten Right in the city centre
rises Petřín Hill, where
Střelecký Island from the
water, just as it was seen
nooks and corners of the Old particularly in the spring, for centuries by rafters who

Town, wandering through the

amongst the flowering cherry floated wood down the
trees, romance hangs in the Vltava.

blooming orchards on Petřín air. At its top you will find a

look-out tower and a pavilion

Hill, a boat ride on the Vltava with a mirror maze. For more
than a century, visitors have
River, a picnic on the grass been able to reach the top of
the hill via a unique funicular.
Observe how Prague
gradually lights up after
along the river banks – all dusk, for example from
the outlook platform at
Stromovka Park

these romantic experiences Choose from many other

beautiful places in Prague:
Prague Castle. First to be
illuminated are buildings
are at your fingertips in from the 10th century, and
at an interval of 3 minutes
Prague. structures from the
following centuries are
lighted.

A view from Petřín Hill

10 Prague visitczechia.com 11
Culinary Musical
Czech beer A scene from a performance of the opera Don Giovanni

Prague Prague

Today, Prague is a cosmopolitan Your plate will arrive with

a slice of quality beef with
– cakes, buns, profiteroles,
punch slices, cream rolls, When one mentions Czech
city where we find side by dumplings, all bathing in
a mild yet flavourful sauce
and many more. For a cup of
great coffee, a dessert or even
music, many will immediately
side restaurants with cuisines made from vegetables and
cream.
brunch, you can head out to
one of the cool parts of Prague
think of the composers
from around the world. Amid Besides typical Czech cuisine,
less thronged by tourists, such
as Karlín, which is famous for
Antonín Dvořák and Bedřich
this babel of flavours and many fine dining restaurants its cafés and bistros. Smetana, who were inspired
aromas, however, you will still by Prague to create their world-
serve up lighter or vegetarian
variations of modern-style

easily recognize a typical known musical masterpieces.

Czech dishes, prepared
using local ingredients and Visit Prague’s farmers’

Czech restaurant with combined with local wines.

You can enjoy this kind of
markets, where food
producers from the Czech You can learn about the life Don’t miss a music festival Rudolfinum
toothsome dishes, Czech experience at the Field or
the La Degustation Boheme
countryside come to sell
their products – homemade
of Antonín Dvořák, whose
Symphony No. 9, known Prague Spring (Pražské
beer on draught and excellent Bourgeoise, restaurants which
boast a Michelin star.
cheese, sausages, ham,
fish delicacies, sweets
as From the New World,
was played when American
jaro), a festival of classical
music, is held in May and Prague Spring

Czech wine. Czechia has a long-standing

café culture and in lots of
and wine. Large farmers’
markets take place
astronauts first landed on the
Moon, at a museum in Villa
June at such venues as
the Rudolfinum and the
places around Prague you can seasonally, for example, at America. Municipal House.
Over the centuries, its position can also be combined with a come across some really classy Jiří of Poděbrady Square
in the heart of Europe has dose of culture. There are two cafés and confectioner’s shops (náměstí Jiřího z Poděbrad) The Museum of Bedřich Prague Sounds, a festival
meant that Czechia’s cuisine medieval monastery breweries that often serve up coffee from and along the waterfront Smetana, where you whose programme creates
has soaked up the influences in the capital – Strahov local roasteries, not to mention near the Palacký Bridge. can hear, for example, his a bridge between musical
from west and east. Coupled Monastery and Břevnov the typical Czech desserts And while you‘re there, symphonic poem Vltava, is genres, takes place in the
with use of country‘s specific Monastery – the second of don’t forget to try the located in a historical building fall at places including the
ingredients such as wild which can pride itself on being typically Czech sourdough near the Charles Bridge. Rudolfinum and the Estates
mushrooms, game, fruits of the oldest documented place bread. Theatre.
the forest and poppy seeds, making beer in Czechia – beer “My Praguers understand
this has created a unique has been brewed here for me” – this is the famous Prague Music Festival
Czech culinary tradition. over 1,000 years! For another If you are looking for declaration the genius (Praha žije hudbou) is
Popular Czech dishes include unique experience, try a beer a quality restaurant or Wolfgang Amadeus a street art festival which aim
variations of sauces with bath. confectionery, choose Mozart made to express his is to present street art to the A thrilling marriage of Visit the Czech Museum of
meat and dumplings, roast one that is marked with relationship to the people of public and support the idea of music, water and light Music, where you can see
poultry, freshwater fish, hearty The best foods to enjoy with the Czech Specials Prague. His stays in Prague busking. effects takes place at a piano that belonged to
soups and fruit or cheese beer are spicy goulash, roast sticker. This designation are associated primarily with the Křižík Fountain at Bedřich Smetana and listen
filled buns that are a perfect duck, roast pork knuckle or, guarantees high-quality the Estates Theatre, where he United Islands is the Výstaviště exhibition to original recordings of
accompaniment to beer or when you are not terribly Czech cuisine in a pleasant conducted the world premiere a multigenre festival taking grounds in Holešovice. musical compositions.
local wines. hungry, pickled sausages called environment. Look for more of one of his operas, and the place on Prague’s islands in Especially in the summer
utopenci, literally “drowned about Czech cuisine at Church of St. Nicholas, where the summer. season, do not miss a ballet Check out the next events
Many gourmands set off to men”, or pickled hermelín czechspecials.cz. he played the organ. performance to the music in Prague:
Prague in search of excellent cheese, which is the Czech of Tchaikovsky’s Swan Lake
Czech beer. It is offered by version of the French brie. or The Nutcracker.
most restaurants and bars.
You can enjoy world-famous When dining at a restaurant,
brands as well as beers from order the popular Czech
smaller craft breweries. dish svíčková na smetaně – Farmers‘ markets
A tour of Prague’s beer scene tenderloin in cream sauce.

12 Prague visitczechia.com 13
 See one of the Laterna
Magika performances
at the New Stage of the
National Theatre, which
use no words but work
with a combination of film
projections, dance, music,
light and pantomime. In
the production Legends of
Magic Prague, for example,
the Golem and alchemists
from the court of Emperor
Rudolf II appear.
laterna.cz

A performance by the Laterna Magika ensemble

Prague is a city of legends

and ghost stories.
Some have their origins
in medieval times, but many
of them belong purely
to the realm of fantasy.
On your wanderings through
Prague, let yourself become
swept up in the old tales Column with the
about headless knights, Knight Bruncvík The Death of St. Francis Xavier

devils and wizards.

The best-known legend of old Czech legend, Bruncvík day, in the form of a white
Prague is about the Golem. rescued a lion from a dragon, lady. The legend goes that she
It is said that this artificial and the lion then and her huge black dog are
man was created from clay accompanied him on his guarding the treasures hidden
by the Jewish scholar Rabbi travels. It is said that this is away in the rock of Vyšehrad.
Löw to serve him and protect how the lion became part
the Jewish ghetto. According of the emblem of Czech
to the tale, the rabbi hid the kings. The story goes that

Magic
Golem in the attic of the Old- Bruncvík’s legendary sword
New Synagogue (Staronová was embedded in the one of
synagoga). the pillars of the bridge after
the knight’s death, and it is
The painting The Death said that it will appear again A guided tour of Prague

Prague
of St. Francis Xavier, when the Czech nation is Prague by night, or on the
which can be seen in the experiencing its worst times. trail of Prague legends and
Church of St. Nicholas in ghosts.
the Lesser Town, allegedly There are a number of legends A headless knight,
holds a mystery. It is said that associated with Prague’s buried treasure, a burning
whoever is able to decipher Vyšehrad district. One man – where will you
its secret while contemplating has it that it was here that encounter them in Prague?
the painting will receive princess Libuše pointed to
enormous wealth. the future site of Prague and
uttered her famous prophesy:
On one of the pillars of the “I see a great city whose glory
Charles Bridge is a column will touch the stars.” The
with the Knight Bruncvík. princess’s ghost is said to
Lesser Town Bridge Tower According to a medieval appear on the city walls to this

14 Prague visitczechia.com 15
 Spiritual
Prague Prague developed over the
centuries as a crossroads
Loreto The Infant Jesus of Prague

In the Church of Our Lady

Victorious (Kostel Panny
Marie Vítězné) you can view
a collection of gowns
of Christian and Jewish in which the Carmelite
Nuns dress the Infant Jesus
cultures. Dozens of churches, of Prague according
to liturgical customs.
from the Romanesque to
modern times, as well as
many celebrated Jewish
synagogues bear silent
witness to the city’s rich
spiritual life. Statue of St. Wenceslas

An important pilgrimage site Czech saints In May each year, Venetian

in Prague is the Loreto – gondolas and dozens
a complex encompassing the The most famous is St. John of historic ships with
Holy Hut and the pilgrimage of Nepomuk, who is one musicians sail down
Church of the Nativity of Our of the Czech patrons and is the Vltava River in the
Lord. Listen to the unique widely known around the Midsummer Navalis,
carillon that chimes at the world. He was martyred in a beautiful spectacle
top of every hour. A rarity is 1393 and his body was thrown of lights, music and
the Loreta Treasure, whose into the Vltava River from fireworks in honour
most precious object is the Charles Bridge. Statues of St. John of Nepomuk.
a monstrance decorated with of St. John of Nepomuk are
6,222 diamonds. a traditional feature of the
Czech countryside; you will
Pilgrims from all over the recognize them by their halos
world flock to the Church with five stars.
of Our Lady Victorious and
pray to the Infant Jesus The principal patron saint A guided tour of Prague
of Prague for protection, of Czechia and a symbol A magnificent textbook
healing and help in conceiving of Czech statehood is of architecture.
a child. The statuette, which St. Wenceslaus, Duke Discover the city’s most
is 47 centimetres high, comes of Bohemia. His grand beautiful buildings and the
from Spain and portrays equestrian statue stands history of their origins.
Jesus in benediction. prominently at the top of
Wenceslas Square.

Statue of St. John of Nepomuk on the Charles Bridge

16 Prague visitczechia.com 17
 Spanish Synagogue

Jewish
Prague The Old Jewish Cemetery

Jews began settling in Prague

as early as the 11th century,
and the magnificent old
synagogues in the area of
Prague known as Josefov
show that Prague has always
been an important centre of
religious and social life for the Statue of Franz Kafka

Jewish Community in Central

Europe. On the tombstone of Rabbi
Löw, tourists leave little
It is said about Prague
native Franz Kafka
notes with secret that nowhere but in
The Maisel Synagogue was The building of the former wishes. It is said that the Prague could his novels
commissioned by a wealthy ceremonial hall and rabbi is able to fulfil the Metamorphosis, The
primas of the Prague Jewish charnel house was designed pilgrims’ wishes. Michelle Castle and The Trial have
Community, Mordechai in a pseudo-Romanesque Obama recently did this, originated. Visit the Café
Maisel, nearly five centuries style at the beginning of the and so can you. Louvre, where Kafka
ago, as was the largest 20th century and is now an used to go and where the
synagogue in the ghetto, the exhibition venue. physicist Albert Einstein
Klausen Synagogue. also liked to stop during
The oldest and most beautiful his visits to Prague. Do not
In the Pinkas Synagogue, Jewish temple is the Old- miss the Café Slavia, which
visitors see a very unusual New Synagogue, which was frequented not only by
exhibition – more than 4,000 boasts massive brick gables. Franz Kafka but later by the
drawings by Jewish children According to legend, it is in writer Milan Kundera.
who were interned at the the attic here that the fabled
Terezín concentration camp Golem is stowed.
in northern Bohemia, many
of whom died at the hands The gorgeous Spanish Prague in the footsteps
of the Nazis. The walls are Synagogue stands on the A guided tour of Jewish of Franz Kafka.
hand-inscribed with some site where Jews from Spain Prague. Where did the famous
80,000 names of Czech Jews settled when they were What was the old Jewish writer go, where did
who perished under the Nazi expelled by Queen Isabella of ghetto like? The fate of its he live, and where
regime. Castile in the 15th century. locations, residents and did he fulfil his secret
prominent personalities. aspirations?
At the Old Jewish jewishmuseum.cz
Cemetery, among the
12,000 tombstones you will
find the grave of Rabbi Löw,
who, according to ancient
legend, created an artificial
being – the Golem.

18 Prague visitczechia.com 19
Memories A sample
Dancing House

of Prague itinerary
DOX Centre for Contemporary Art

From our trips and journeys Prague is a city full of the top of the hour and the
picturesque façades of the
rises the oldest Bohemian
royal residence, Vyšehrad.
we bring home experiences surprises. Just one day buildings in the shadow of the
Church of Our Lady Before
Vyšehrad is a place full of
history and is surrounded by
and memories. Some may to discover the city is not Týn. From here, it is only
a short walk to the Old Jewish
many legends. From here
you will have a spectacular
have a tangible form. We can enough. We present some Quarter of Josefov. You will
definitely want to see the Old-
view of Prague, and in the
summer months it comes
hang them on a wall, place ideas on how to choose from New Synagogue and the Old alive with culture – plays and
concerts are held in
them on a shelf, or eat and the best that Prague has to
Jewish Cemetery. If while in
this area you find yourself at an open-air theatre.

drink them. But we may also offer when you are in the city
the intersection of Dušní and
Vězeňská streets, you will see Dancing House

wear them, read them or listen for only one or two days. Let it a wittily conceived statue of
Franz Kafka. If you came
On the Rašín Embankment
(Rašínovo nábřeží) you will
to them … there is a wide inspire you … here to shop, you can now
head to the elegant Pařížská
certainly be swept away by
the Dancing House (Tančící
range of such memories you Day one and the Golden Lane, where
Street, where an array of
international luxury brands
dům), a building from
the 1990s. It got its name
can take back from Prague. the successful young Czech Visit the international The first day you will
alchemists once lived in the
miniature houses. If you
have their shops. To continue
exploring the city, you should
because the two towers
recall the dancers Ginger
designers Maxim Velčovský Designblok exhibition, definitely want to begin in the arrive at the first courtyard of not miss a walk across the Rogers (the glass tower) and
and Jakub Berdych. which takes place at Prague Hradčany quarter. Start the castle by noon, you will Charles Bridge. It is the Fred Astaire (the concrete
If you want to bring back you should not overlook the galleries and shops in from Pohořelec, near the see the ceremonial changing oldest extant bridge across the one). The building was
from Prague something leading Czech glass artists: Women who like to dress in the first week of October imposing Černín Palace, of the guard with an unusual Vltava River in Prague and designed by the architects
truly exclusive, you should Rony Plesl, Jiří Pelcl, Bořek high-quality and original each year and regularly which houses the Ministry musical accompaniment. the second oldest stone bridge Frank Gehry and Vlado
not forget about jewellery Šípek and Olgoj Chorchoj. clothing will be delighted by showcases leading Czech of Foreign Affairs. Stop at From April to November, you in Czechia. On the other side Milunić, and the interiors
with Bohemian garnets. the boutique of the designer and international designers the Loreto, with its Holy can also view the beautiful of the bridge you enter the were designed in part by the
Working with garnets has Fans of modern design Klára Nademlýnská, which of furniture, jewellery, Hut and a valuable treasury, gardens of Prague Castle. picturesque Lesser Town. Czech-born architect Eva
been a tradition here since should not miss the Křehký offers luxury prêt-à-porter glass, home accessories and listen to its carillon. Descend the steps at the end Jiřičná. In 1996 the building
the 14th century, and it is Gallery, where you’ll find on women’s clothing. At the and other decorative items. Walk through the Strahov Day two of the Charles Bridge and received a prestigious
said that these gemstones display masterful products same address you will also Monastery (Strahovský head towards the river, and award from the American
have miraculous and healing by designers from Czechia find the exclusive boutique klášter) and climb the Petřín On your second day in you will find yourself in the magazine Time.
properties. A shop offering and countries around the of the designer Beata The Manufaktura Original Tower, which rises above Prague, explore the areas area of the Lesser Town called
guaranteed authenticity is world. At the Modernista Rajská, which targets more Czech Tradition chain of the city to a height of nearly below the castle. Tour the Kampa. There are many Petřín after dark
located at Dlouhá street. shop you can buy glass, conservative lovers of fashion, shops, which presents 300 metres. From here, the picturesque Old Town and restaurants and cafés here, Petřín Hill is at its most
porcelain and jewellery, and the boutique of the artist traditional Bohemian and entire city unfolds before the Lesser Town. Start at the a large park, and a museum romantic at sunset. Go
The most traditional and ranging from Czech Cubist and designer Natali Ruden. Moravian craft products, is your eyes. When you head Municipal House, from of contemporary art. Through down Újezd Street and from
most sought-after Czech craft and Functionalist pieces to to be found in the historical back to Hradčany Square, where you will head down the entire neighbourhood there you can continue all
is high-quality art glass. objects by contemporary International luxury fashion centre of Prague. Visiting stop at the Marian Plague Celetná Street, where the flows a branch of the Vltava the way to the top either on
In Prague you can find a Czech designers. Do not miss brands can be found in shops the stores is a pleasant Column and the statue of the writer Franz Kafka lived at River called Čertovka with foot along winding paths
shop on nearly every corner the sales gallery DOX by on Pařížská Street, which and relaxing experience first Czechoslovak president, No. 2 and 3, towards the Old romantic nooks and surrounded by fruit trees or
selling traditional hand-cut Qubus, located at the DOX branches off the Old Town evoking the atmosphere of T. G. Masaryk. Then you Town Square. Stop at the a watermill. by funicular. Just below the
vases, bowls, drinking glasses Centre for Contemporary Art, Square. olden times. are greeted by Prague House at the Black Madonna, lookout tower you can have
and various types of glass the largest contemporary art Castle. Set aside enough where you can visit a shop to What else not to miss: fun in the mirror maze.
figurines. The best-known space in Czechia. Its selection time for a tour of this most buy a unique piece of Cubist
brands of glass are Moser and reflects the absolute peak of important of Prague sights. jewellery or a vase. On the Old Vyšehrad
Preciosa. If you are looking Czech design and conceptual At the castle, be sure to visit Town Square, do not miss the Head upstream along the
for outstanding Czech glass in creation, such as the Qubus the Cathedral of Sts. Vitus, show put on by the Prague Vltava River to a rocky
contemporary designs, then Design studio, founded by Wenceslas and Adalbert Astronomical Clock at promontory on which

20 Prague visitczechia.com 21
 Map of the Prague Metro

Václav Havel
Airport Prague Kobylisy Ládví Střížkov
C Letňany
Prosek
AE ka Nádraží
lav ká ká á
řis jvic ans Holešovice
ka av
sk ská
Nádraží Veleslavín Bo De radč ov mor sočan
H Vltavská lm
Pa Česko Vy lbe
no
va
ub
ětí
n B
Petřiny Ko Hlo
Invalidovna á Černý
FLORENC jsk da
Nemocnice o Ra ahra Most
Motol A MŮSTEK
MUZEUM ra
Flo elivs
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A z
Zličín Ž
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tov e ick
á Depo
y Bu onic ašn lka Hostivař
žin é
v Jin
B lk y
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Lu No
á
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Str
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dů Lu rk a dli éh í an
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p Bu ače
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ská mě lik
Křižíkova Ro v
an do
str Ná epub
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ská o
alo ěst R FLORENC Ch tov
M O pa
rom
Sta Hlavní nádraží
MŮSTEK
MUZEUM Nemocnice Motol A – Můstek A,B –
Národní třída
ěst
í
d
A Muzeum A,C – Depo Hostivař A
I. P. Pavlova Nám ru
í ho bra
Anděl M Jiří Podě
Zličín B – Můstek B,A –
Karlovo
náměstí
z
B Florenc B,C – Černý Most B
Vyšehrad

C Háje C – Muzeum C,A –

Florenc C,B – Letňany C

Map key Church-chapel-synagogue

Railway station Lookout points

Coach station Quay

Metro station UNESCO zone limits

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Useful Prague
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Prague

Published by CzechTourism
CzechTourism, Štěpánská 567/15, 120 00 Praha 2 – Nové Město
visitczechia.com
Prague 2024, 1st edition ©
Text: Stanislav Škoda and CzechTourism
Translation: Mimi Fronczak Rogers
Photo on the cover: Old Town Hall, Denis Poltoradnev
Photos: CzechTourism, Michal Vitásek, Libor Sváček,
Pavel Hroch, Karel Šuster, Štěpán Vrzala, Lubomír Stibůrek,
Dagmar Veselovská, Ladislav Renner, Petr Hron, David Marvan,
MARK BBDO, Jan Slavík © DOX, Archive of the National
Theater, © Jewish Museum in Prague, Shutterstock.com
Design: Vydavatelství MCU
Despite careful research, the information contained in this
brochure is subject to change.

visitczechia.com
The official tourist presentation of Czechia.

ISBN: 978-80-7513-256-7
Pro athletes might typically
finish their trainings at a SPA.
In Czechia, however, your entire
training can be a spa session.
Active holiday or a spa break?
Have both at once.

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