Basilica and Convent of St George
The Basilica of St George (built in 920) at National Gallery.
Bertramka Villa
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart stayed at the neo-classical Bertramka Villa (www.bertramka.com) during his visits to Prague.
Fact:
In the autumn of 1787 Mozart completed the opera Don Giovanni here.
Tip:
Today the villa houses a museum dedicated to Mozart and the Dušek family, the owners of the villa.
Troja Botanical Gardens
The Botanical Gardens in Troja (www.botgarden.cz) contain several outdoor displays such as the beautiful Japanese Garden, flora of Turkey and the Mediterranean, a vineyard with its own wine cellar and many other collections of flowers spread out over around 70 hectares.
Fact:
In 2004 the unique Fata Morgana hothouse was opened near the Trója Botanical Gardens. (www.fatamorgana.cz). This has an area of almost 2,200m2 and is divided into 3 parts – semi-arid, tropical rainforest and cold environments of the Andes, Cape Province, Tasmania and New Zealand.
Prague is now one of only a handful of cities in the world to have a cool-climate exhibitionin a glasshouse.
Black Tower at Prague Castle
The Black tower – the oldest of Prague’s tower dating back to 1135 and built as part of the Romanesque fortifications at Prague Castle. During the reign of Charles IV it was called the Golden Tower as it was covered gilded lead plates.
The House of the Black Madonna
The House of the Black Madonna is a remarkable example the use of cubism in architecture.
Tip:
Today the building houses the Museum of Czech Cubism (www.ngprague.cz).
On the 1st floor visitors can enjoy the cubist Grand Café
Orient (www.grandcafeorient.cz) which recently underwent
renovation using to the original plans.
House at the Stone Bell
The House at the Stone Bell on the Old Town Square is one of the oldest Gothic structures in Prague.
Tip:
Visit the exhibition of modern and contemporary art here at the City Gallery Prague.
Church of St Nicholas in Malá Strana
The Jesuit Church of St Nicholas was completed in the mid18th century. The interior of the church is an example of architecture based on interconnected geometrical shapes. The decoration is the epitome of the Baroque style. The tower of the Church of St Nicholas is also an interesting place worth visiting.
Fact:
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart played on the church organ. On his death, a requiem mass was held in the Church of St Nicholas attended by over 4,000 citizens of Prague.
Jindřišská Tower
The Jindřišská Tower (www.jindrisskavez.cz) – a newly renovated tower dating from the 1670s and housing a gallery and restaurant.
Fact:
In the tower there is a carillon (a set of bells) with ten bells, intended to be listened to inside the tower. It’s the only one of its kind in Europe.
Tip:
On the 6th floor visit the Museum of Prague Towers containing photographs and descriptions of 120 towers around the city.
Jubilee Synagogue
The Jubilee Synagogue was built in the early 20th century in the New Town in the mock Moorish style
Kampa Island
Romantic KampaIsland has a central oval square, picturesque townhouses and an English style park. Kampa is separated from Malá Strana by the Čertovka Stream, a branch of the River Vltava with a reconstructed wooden mill wheel.
Fact:
The group of houses on either side of the Čertovka Stream is sometimes called Prague Venice.
Charles Bridge
Charles Bridge is one of the most beautiful bridges in the worldand the oldest bridge in Prague. It is almost 10m wide, 516m long and rests on 16 arches.
Towers guard both ends of the bridge – the Old Town Bridge Tower and two Malá Strana Bridge Towers .The bridge is embellished with 30 Baroque statues and sculptural groups from the early 18th century depicting saints, and historical and biblical figures.
Charles Bridge is a popular place among street performers and artists - painters, musicians, dancers, mime artists who have established their own association called the Association of Charles Bridge Artists (www.karluv-most.cz).
Fact:
The date and time the first stone was laid was not left to chance. They create the palindrome 1357-9-7531(year 1357, day 9.7., time 5.31).
Tip:
In 1393 John of Nepomuk, a vicar who refused to betray the confessional secrets of Queen Sofia to Czech King Wenceslas IV, was cast from Charles Bridge into the Vltava. In the mid 18th century he was made a saint.
On the wall, from which he was thrown, a small brasscross with five stars was erected (between the statue of John the Baptist and statues of St Norbert, St Wenceslas and St Sigmund). According to legend, he who places his hand on the cross so that each finger touches one of the stars will have a secret wish fulfilled. People also touch the figure on the bottom of the statue of St John of Nepomuk as it is said to bring luck.
Cathedral of SS Vitus, Wenceslas and Adalbert
The Cathedral SS Vitus, Wenceslas and Adalbert dominates Prague
Castle. It is the largest and most important of Prague’s places of worship and a spiritual symbol of the Czech state.
The Gothic Cathedral we see today is the third church to be built on the site – the first building to stand here was a Romanesque rotunda, then came a triple-nave basilica, and in 1344 Charles IV ordered work to begin on the construction of a Gothic cathedral. It took almost 600 years to complete, and wasn’t consecrated until 1929.
Royal Crypt
Just in front of the main altar stands the Royal Mausoleum, beneath which there is the Royal Crypt.
Chapel of St Wenceslas
The centrepiece of the entire cathedral is the wonderfully embellished Chapel of St Wenceslas housing the Tomb of St Wenceslas, the patron saint of the Czech lands.
In addition to religious services, the coronations of Czech kings and queens took place here. The Czech crown jewels are also kept here; they consist of the Crown of St Wenceslas (1346), the Royal Sceptre and the Imperial Orb (16th century), all made of pure gold and richly decorated with precious stones and pearls.
Crown of St Wenceslas
The Crown of St Wenceslas is made of 21 and 22 karat gold, weighs almost 2.5kg and is decorated with 96 unpolished precious stones. The ruby from the Czech crown is the largest on Earth. Of the nine largest sapphires on the planet, six are on the Crown of St Wenceslas. At the top of the crown there is a sapphire cross, in which is set a thorn said to come from Christ’s crown of thorns.
Czech King and Holy Roman Emperor Charles IV had the crown made for his coronation. According to legend, he who places the crown on his head without rightful claim to the Czech throne will die within a year.
Tip:
The cathedral tower has a viewing platform providing stunning views of the cathedral, Prague Castle and the whole of Prague.
Clementinum
The Clementinum (www.klementinum.cz) is the largest complex of buildings in Prague after Prague Castle. Originally a Jesuit monastery, it now houses the National Library.
Fact:
In 1722 the Astronomical Tower was built here. In 1775 meteorological records were taken for the first time, and the weather continues to be recorded here today.
One of the library’s finest interiors is the Baroque Hall.
Tip:
The Astronomical Tower is open to the public.
Another highlight of the complex is the MirroredChapel, a regular concert venue.
Loreta
The Loreta (www.loreta.cz) gets its name from the Italian pilgrimage site called Loreto, where the Santa Casa can be found (the house in Nazareth, inhabited by the Virgin Mary when she was visited by the Archangel Gabriel who told her she was to give birth to Jesus).
The Capuchin Order ran this place of pilgrimage and built the first monastery in the country next to the Loreta.
The Santa Casa is decorated with marble reliefs and can be found in the middle of the central courtyard surrounded by six chapels.
Fact:
The façade of the Loreta is dominated by the famous Loreta Carillon – 30 bells which every hourplay an old song dedicated to the Virgin Mary. A keyboard allows any melody to be played on the carillon; Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and Ferenc Liszt used this curious instrument for their concerts. Carillon Concerts are still held at the Loreta to this day.
The Loreta also houses a set of magnificent pieces of jewellery called theLoreta Treasure. The best known piece is the so-called Prague Sun – a 12-kilogram monstrance encrusted with 6222 diamonds.
Tip:
Regular services in the Church of the Nativity of our Lord services are held on Sundays at 18.00 and in the Santa Casa on Saturdays at 7.30. If your parish or community would like to make a pilgrimage to the Loreta, you can also hold your own service.
Jewish Town Hall
The Jewish Town Hall – The Synagogue used to form part of the building.
Fact:
On the roof of the town hall visitors can see a clock withHebrew numbers. The hands of the clock turn anticlockwise.
Malá Strana Bridge Towers
The towers guard the entrance to Charles Bridge on the left bank of the River Vltava. The smaller Romanesque tower dates back to the 12th century, the taller Gothic tower mirrors the style of the Old Town Bridge Tower opposite and was built in the late 15th century.
Tip:
The tower houses an exhibition on the history of Charles Bridge.
Malostranské Square
Malostranské Square – is the main piazza in Malá Strana, dominated by the Baroque Church of St Nicholas .
National Theatre
The neo-Renaissance building of the National Theatre (www.narodni-theatre.cz) is a major ballet, drama and opera venue.
Fact:
The theatre was opened in1881. Some 12 performances took place here before a fire destroyed the building in August of the same year. This made the Czech nation determined to collect more money to fund rebuilding work. In 1883 the theatre was completed and opened once again. This nationalist effort and enthusiasm gave rise to the motto ‘The nation unto itself’ (Národ sobě), which appears on the stage curtain at the National Theatre.
Tip:
In addition to the National Theatre, visitors can also see performances at the Estates Theatre (famous as Mozart’s favourite venue) and the Kolowrat Theatre.
National Museum
The National Museum (www.nm.cz) – the largest and oldestCzech museum housed in a neo-Renaissance building which dominates the upper end of Wenceslas Square.
Tip:
Here visitors will find historical collections (prehistory, archaeology, theatre) and natural history (minerals, geology, palaeontology and zoology).
Symphonyconcerts are regularly held at the National Museum on the magnificent staircase.
The Museum of Music and the Náprstek Museum of Asian,
African and American Cultures are also part of the National Museum.
Nerudova Street
Nerudova Street runs from the top of Malostranské Square uphill to below Prague Castle. It was once the main route leading to the castle and part of the Royal Way.
Fact:
An interesting feature of the street are the period doorways of some of the houses, their old decorated doors and the distinctive house symbols – plaques, small statues and pictures positioned above the doorway. In the Middle Ages these were used instead of house numbers. Houses usually got their name from the house symbol on the outside.
Tip:
Try and find the following houses on your way through Malá Strana according to their house symbols – TheThree Violins, The Two Suns, The Golden Key, The White Angel, The Red Lion.
Municipal House
The Municipal House (www.obecnidum.cz) is an exquisite art nouveau building from the early 20th century housing a huge concert hall – the Smetana Hall – the venue for some of Prague’s most prestigious concerts, as well as a large art gallery.
Tip:
The art nouveau café, French restaurant, wine bar, American bar and Pilsen restaurant are great places to relax.
Astronomical Clock
The Old Town Astronomical Clock dating from the 15th century is one of the most treasured
and best-known of Prague’s historical sites. It can be found on the side of the
Gothic tower of the Old Town Hall. The Astronomical Clock is a one of the best examples of Czech Gothic technology and a prized work of art.
On the hour every hour between 9.00 and 21.00 small statues of the12 apostles appear in small windows at the top of the clock. On either side of the clock aSkeleton, a Turk, a Miser and a figure representing Vanity come to life. When all the apostles have presented themselves to the crowds below, a cockerel crows and the clock chimes the hour.
Fact:
According to legend, Prague’s councillors had the eyes of the creator of the Astronomical Clock put out so that he could not repeat the feat elsewhere.
The Astronomical Clock shows four different times:
- Central European time – this is marked by the sun-arm travelling round the Roman numerals around the inner edge of the clock face.
- Old Bohemian time – according to this way of timekeeping, the new day begins at sunset. It is marked by gold Gothic numerals on the outer ring of the main clock face.
- Babyloniantime – the day lasts from sunrise to sunset meaning in summer the days are longer than in winter. Prague’s Astronomical Clock is the only one in the world which shows this time.
- Stellar time – This is shown in Roman numerals. Below the main clock is another calendar disk which shows the days, weeks and months.
Tip:
When you have watched the Astronomical Clock in action, why not climb the Old Town Hall Tower. From the top you can watch the crowds of tourists below and view the entire Old Town Square from above.
¨Kinský Palace
The Kinský Palace dating from the mid 18th century and situated on the Old Town Square houses part of the National Gallery. The exhibition focuses on Landscapes in Czech Art from the 17th to the 20th century.
Palace Gardens
On the southern slopes leading down from Prague Castle there is a group of gardens formed by 5 palace gardens (www.palacovezahrady.cz, www.prazskezahrady.cz) – the Ledeburg garden, Lesser Pálffy Garden, the Greater Pálffy Garden, the Kolowrat Garden and the Lesser Fürstenberg Garden. All of these gardens are interconnected.
Tip:
There are unforgettable views of Prague from the almost30 garden terraces.
Petřín
Petřín Hill (www.petrin.cz) is the highest hill in Prague.
Petřín is famous for its gardens and orchards and is a popular place among lovers. Rising above Petřín
Hill is the Petřín Tower.
At the top of Petřín Hill visitors will also find an observatory and
the Hall of Mirrors.
Tip:
Let yourself be transported by funicular railway from Újezd to the top of Petřín Hill (the difference in height is 130.5m). The carriages have the same inclination as the track they travel along - 45 degrees. To travel on the funicular, all you need is a standard valid ticket for Prague’s public transport system.
The Štefánik Observatory (www.observatory.cz) at the top of Petřín Hill offers a year-round opportunity for the public toview the day and night sky.
Petřín Tower
The Petřín Tower can be found on.
Fact:
Petřín Tower is a copy of the Eiffel Tower, only five times smaller at 63.5m. However, the top of the tower is at the same height as its more celebrated Parisian cousin.
Tip:
Some 56 metres and 299 steps up the tower there is a viewing gallery providing breath-taking views across the entire city.
Petřín Hall of Mirrors
A pavilion dating from 1891 and once belonging to the Czech Hikers Club now houses an 18m-long panorama depicting the battle between Prague’s students and the Swedish on Charles Bridge in 1648.
Tip:
Pass through the Hall of Mirrors at the entrance, and you will reach the Hall of Laughter lined with 14 convex and concave reflectiondistorting mirrors.
Powder Tower
The Powder Tower serves as a monumental gateway to the Old Town and is one of the symbols of Prague. It was begun in 1475 and was later given a neo-Gothic makeover.
Fact:
The name of the tower dates from the 18th century when it served as a store for gunpowder.
Tip:
The Powder Tower is 65m high, and a 186-step spiral staircase leads up to the viewing platform 44m above the ground.
The tower marks the beginning of the Royal Way.
Bambino di Praga
The Bambino di Praga (www.pragjesu.info) is a 47cm-tall wax figure of the infant Jesus, made in Spain in the 16th century. The figure is said to possess miraculous powers and the ability to heal the ill, the blind and the deaf.
Since 1628 the Prague Carmelite Order has taken care of the Bambino di Praga at the Church of Our Lady Victorious in Malá
Strana which has an exquisite Baroque interior.
Fact:
Grateful pilgrims have given the Bambino di Praga over 60 outfits decorated with gold, diamonds and pearls (from China, Brazil, the Philippines, Vietnam etc.). The most valuable of these miniature robes was embroidered by Austrian Empress Maria Theresa herself.
The robes are regularly changed to reflect the colours of the given religious holiday or period (i.e. white for Easter and Christmas, red for Holy Week, purple for fasts and Advent)
Tip:
Some of the robes belonging to the Bambino di Praga can be seen in a museum in the church. There is no admission fee.
Services are held in the church in Czech, English, French, Italian and Spanish.
Every year on the last Sunday in May a celebration is held to mark the anniversary of the coronation of the Bambino di Praga by the bishop in 1655.
Prague Castle
Prague Castle (www.hrad.cz) is
- the single most visited tourist attraction in the country;
- the former seat of Czech rulers;
- the Czech president’s main residence;
- the largest medieval castle in the world according to the Guinness Book of Records.
- It was founded by Prince Bořivoj in around870.
Fact:
Every hour visitors can watch the changing of the guard at the castle gates.
At 12.00 on the first courtyard there is also a ceremonial changing of the guard with fanfares and the exchanging of standards.
Tip:
One ticket is all visitors need to gain access to the best-known places at Prague Castle. The self-guided tour includes: the Cathedral of SS Vitus, Wensceslas and Adalbert including the Chapel of St Wenceslas and the tower, the Old Royal Palace, the Basilica of St George, the Powder Tower and the Golden Lane.
The Story of Prague Castle Exhibition (www.pribeh-hradu.cz)
Rudolfinum
The Rudolfinum is an outstanding neo-Renaissance building
in the Old Town, built in 1885 and originally called the House of Art.
The building houses the RudolfinumGallery (www.galerie-rudolfinum.com) which plays host to exhibitions of contemporary art.
There is also a concert hall where the Czech Philharmonic Orchestra perform (www.rudolfinum.cz).
Old Town Bridge Tower
The Old Town Bridge Tower – a fine example of Gothic architecture dating from the late 14th century. The viewing platform is 18m above the bridge and provides visitors with unique views of Charles Bridge, the Old Town and Prague Castle.
Fact:
During repair work on the tower’s roof, two mysterious signs were discovered. The text of these signs forms a palindrome (without spaces between the words) and is thought to be a spell for strength and power.
Old Town Hall
The Old Town Hall was built in 1338 as a symbol of the autonomy of the Old
Town. Over the centuries, adjacent houses were knocked through and added to the building.
The oldest part of the town hall includes a Gothic tower, completed in 1364, which
provides stunning views of the Old Town.
On the side of the tower is one of the best
known sights in Prague – the Astronomical Clock.
Tip:
A guided tour takes visitors down into the Romanesque and Gothic cellars, historical halls and the town hall chapel.
Old Town Square
The Old Town Square is the oldest and most important square in Prague’s historical centre.
It developed from the 10th century onwards as a marketplace at the crossroads of several European trade routes.
The square boasts some of Prague’s most prized architecture.
Fact:
During the reign of the Habsburgs this was a place of execution. The spot is marked with crosses in the cobble stones next to the town hall.
Old-New Synagogue
The Old-New Synagogue is the oldest surviving synagogue in central Europe and the oldest working synagogue in the world. Apart from a few short years during the Nazi occupation (1942-45), it has been hosting services uninterrupted since the late13th century.
Fact:
It is said that somewhere in the Old-New Synagogue is buried the Golem. The Golem was a huge creature made of clay which, according to legend, was created by Rabbi Löw, and will forever be associated with the mysterious atmosphere of Prague’s former Jewish Town.
According to legend, the Golem was brought to life when a piece of parchment with a special cabbalistic spell (a so-called shem), was put under its tongue. The rabbi always removed the parchment on the Sabbath when it is forbidden to work. Once, however, he forgot, and when he returned from the synagogue, the Golem had destroyed everything he could find in a fit of rage. The rabbi then removed the shem and hid the body.
Old Jewish Cemetery
The Old Jewish Cemetery is the oldest surviving Jewish burial ground in the world, founded in the early 15th century.
Fact:
In an area measuring a mere 1 hectare visitors will find 12, 000 gravestones from the Gothic, Renaissance, Baroque and Rococo periods.
State Opera
The State Opera (www.opera.cz) was built in the neo-Renaissance style in 1888.
With its spaciousauditorium and neo-Rococo décor it is one of the most beautiful theatre buildings in Europe.
Strahov Monastery
The Strahov Monastery belonging to the (www.strahovskyklaster.cz) Premonstratensian Order was founded in 1143.
The monastery is centred around the Basilica of the Assumption – originally a triple-nave Romanesque basilica, later rebuilt in the Gothic and Baroque styles.
Tip:
The highlight of any visit to the monastery is the Baroque library which holds over 200,000 books and manuscripts.
The Strahov Gallery also houses a valuable art collection.
A tour of the monastery includes the Cabinet of Curios, a collection of once exotic items of flora and fauna.
Fact:
Visitors can also see the monastery’s dendrological library. Each of the 68 volumes dating from 1825 deals with just one tree. The books’ covers are made of the wood of the tree dealt with inside, the spines are made of bark and lichen, and inside there are roots, twigs, leaves, blossom, fruit and even parasites.
Synagogues in the Jewish Town
In addition to the Old-New Synagogue there are 5 other synagogues in the Jewish Town. Most of them are run by the Jewish Museum .
Klaus Synagogue
The Klaus Synagogue used to be the largest synagogue in the Jewish ghetto. The building we see today was built after a fire in the late 17th century.
Maisel Synagogue
The triple-nave Maisel Synagogue at present houses the Jewish Museum which traces the history of the Jews in Bohemia and Moravia.
Pinkas Synagogue
In the post-war years this synagogue became a Monument to the Jews of Bohemia and Moravia, victims of the Nazi persecution. The names of 77,297 holocaust victims are written on the walls of the synagogue. The exhibition also includes a collection 4,500 children’s drawings from the Terezín ghetto from 1942-1944.
Spanish Synagogue
In 1868 the Spanish Synagogue was built in the Moorish style on the site of Prague’s oldest Jewish prayer room.
High Synagogue
This synagogue was originally part of theJewish town hall, and is sometimes called the Town Hall Synagogue. Today it still shares the building with the town hall.
Since 1997 it has served as a place of worship for Prague’s Jewish community.
Šternberk palace
The Šternberk Palace on Hradčanské Square near Prague Castle is a fine example of Baroque architecture.
Tip:
Here visitors will find a collection of European art from antiquity to the late Baroque period which is part of the National Gallery.
Žižkov TV Tower
The ŽižkovTV Tower (www.tower.cz) – at 216m is the highest tower in Prague, and was finished in 1992.
Tip:
Some 93m above the ground there is a glass-fronted viewing platform below which are a café and a restaurant. From these three vantage points on a good day visitors can see mountains over 100km away.
Fact:
Since 2001 sculptures of giant babies by David Černý have been attached to the tower’s pillars. They give the impression that they are climbing vertically up and down the tower.
Troja Chateau
The early Baroque chateau dating from the 17th century, with beautiful paintings, sculptural decoration and Baroque gardens, was inspired by villas on the outskirts of Rome.
Tip:
The City Gallery Prague has installed its collection of Czech 19th century paintings in the chateau.
Týn Church
The Týn Church – a high Gothic building housing an extensive collection of Gothic, Renaissance and early Baroque works of art.
Fact:
The church boasts a larger number of interesting tombs. One of the best-known belongs to the Danish astronomer Tycho de Brahe.
It is also said that, the heart of Czech King George of Poděbrady is buried in the Týn Church while his body rests in the Royal Crypt at Prague Castle.
Ungelt (Týn Courtyard)
The Ungelt is one of most historically important places in Prague and a centre of culture and trade. It is located just off the Old Town Square. In the past it was a fortified merchants’ courtyard and a customs house where goods were inspected and customs duty paid. A hospital and church were built for the merchants (where the Týn Church now stands) as well as an inn and stables.
Wenceslas Square
Majestic Wenceslas Square was created when the New Town was formed by Charles IV in 1348. In 1890 the huge building of the National Museum was added at the top of the square, the dominant feature over a century later. In 1913 the statue of St Wenceslas on his steed was added just below the museum.
Events from the recent past on the square
Wenceslas Square has witnesses some of the most significant events in recent Czech history:
- In 1918Czechoslovak independence was declared here.
- In 1945 the end of World War II was announced here.
- In 1969students Jan Palach and Jan Zajíc set themselves alight in protest against the invasion of Czechoslovakia by Warsaw Pact forces.
- In August that same year a demonstration to mark the first anniversary of the invasion was brutally dispersed.
- In November 1989 a huge meeting on the square kicked off the so-called Velvet Revolution which brought down the communist regime.
Fact:
Wenceslas Square measures 41,803m2, is 750m long, 63m wide at the top and 48m wide at the lower end.
The square was originally called the Horse Market which reveals its original function. Horse and other markets took place here until 1877. It was also a place of execution and gallows stood at both the upper and lower ends of the square.
Nowadays large Christmas and Easter markets take place here.
Tip:
Every city has a favourite rendezvous point. In Prague it is the statue of St Wenceslas. If you want to meet someone in the city centre, arrange to meet up ‘at the horse’ or ‘under the tail’ and you’ll be sure to find each other.
St Nicholas Church Tower
The Tower belonging to the Church of St Nicholas was completed in 1755 and is the same height as the dome of the church.
Fact:
Until 1891 the tower served as a watchtower. The bells were rung to warn the townspeople of fires, and a flag or lantern would indicate the location of fire in the city.
From the early 1950s until the fall of the communist regime the tower was used as an observation post by the secret police who would monitor the movements of staff from western embassies.
Tip:
The viewing platform, now open to the public, is 65m above the ground, and there are 299 leading up to it. From the top there are views across Malá strana and to Prague Castle. The tower has its own separate entrance on the square.
Vrtbovská Garden
The Vrtbovská Garden (www.vrtbovska.cz) is one of the most beautiful Baroque gardens inEurope, and can be found on the north-eastern slopes of Petřín Hill. The entrance is on Karmelitská Street.
Vyšehrad
Vyšehrad (www.Prague-vysehrad.cz), according to legend, was the seat of the first mythical Czech rulers. At the turn of the 11th century it was the main residence ofan actualCzech ruler.
The complex contains the Romanesque rotunda of St Martin from the 11th century, the neo-Gothic Church of SS Peter and Paul, the Casemates and the Vyšehrad Cemetery.
Vyšehrad Cemetery
Over 600 important figures from Czech history are buried in the Vyšehrad Cemetery and in the Slavíntomb (www.slavin.cz).
Vyšehrad Casemates
The Casemates dating from 1742 are narrow, brick-lined, 2m-high underground passageways which lead to a huge 330m2 space which used to serve as an assembly point for soldiers.
Tip:
The Casemates now serve as an exhibition space called Gorlice where visitors can see some of the original statues from Charles Bridge.
Prague Castle Gardens
The seven Gardens at Prague Castle form a ring of green around the entire castle. The best-known gardens are:
The Royal Garden
The Royal Garden is the largest and oldest castle garden. It is laid out in the Renaissance fashion, and is known for its rare and exotic plants.
The garden also boasts a number of buildings which served as places of entertainment for courtiers. These are the Ball Game Court, the Summer Palaceand the Lion Court which is now an exhibition space.
Tip:
Have a listen to the Singing Fountain in front of the Summer Palace. The sound the water makes as it falls into the fountain is similar to bells ringing. It can be heard best next to the lower bowl of the fountain.
Southern gardens
The Rajská, Hartigovská and Na Valechgardens were created in place of fortifications beneath Prague Castle. At present they are interlinked making it possible to walk around the entire southern flank of Prague Castle.
Tip:
A walk in these gardens is a fine way to end a visit to Prague Castle. And there is no need to hurry - from this vantage point you can enjoy some of the finest views across Prague.
Zbraslav Chateau
Zbraslav Chateau, originally a Cistercian monastery (established in 1292) is located in Prague’s southern reaches.
Tip:
ZbraslavChateau houses an exhibition of Asian art from ancient times to the present day, focusing in particular on Chinese and Japanese artists. This exhibition is part of the National Gallery .
Golden Lane
Steeped in legends, the picturesque Golden Lane is one of the highlights of any visit to Prague
Castle. It was once home to castle workers and, as the name suggests, goldsmiths. The small houses were inhabited until World War II.
Nowadays the houses in the Golden Lane have become small boutiques, galleries and exhibition spaces.
Fact:
In 1917 Franz Kafka had his study at house No. 22.
Tip:
The staircase in house No. 12 leads up to the terrace which in turn leads to the Daliborka Tower, once used as a prison.
Prague Zoo
Prague Zoo (www.zooPrague.cz) consists of 9 large pavilions housing more than 150 exhibits and4,000 animals. Interesting events take place here year round.
Fact:
Modern pavilions, in which visitors feel as though they have been transported to another continent, and open paddocks, where visitors can get close to the animals, are favourites among adults and children alike:
- The Indonesian jungle is the realm of monkeys and other tropical forest animals. The only thing keeping animals and visitors apart is water.
- Birds can fly around the Sichuan pavilion unhindered.
- Outside, the Water World is a new home without bars for animals for which the only natural barrier is water.
- Animals for hot African countries life contentedly in the pavilion called Africa in Close-up.
Tip:
Visitors can find out what and when animals eat, when they sleep and what they can do on special guided tours.
Even the journey to the zoo can be an exciting experience. Regular boats ply the River
Vltava as far as Troja providing unforgettable views ofPrague along the way.
