This week I will sharing the top 20 sightseeing spots you can find in Prague. But before that, please allow me to give a quick overview of this 15th largest city in the European Union.
Prague is the largest and the capital city of the Czech Republic. It is known for its vibrant night life which is greatly comparable with what you might find in London or Paris. More than its vivacious night life, Prague is home to several popular and well preserved cultural attractions. It lies on the Vltava River in the north-western side of the country.
This historical Bohemian capital has been a center for cultural, economic and political of central Europe. It was established during Romanesque era. Prague was also known as the capital city of the Holy Roman Empire. It once served as the seat of the two Holy Roman Emperors.
1. Prague Castle
The Prague Castle is one of the reasons why Prague became one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world. The Prague Castle is regarded as one of the most significant historical symbols of the Czech lands. It was built by Prince Borivoj of the Premyslid Dynasty. This 9th century castle complex is listed in the Guinness Book of Records as the largest ancient castle in the world until July 2006. It serves as the President of the Czech Republic’s official residence and was once the seat of power of the presidents of Czechoslovakia, the Holy emperors and the kings of Bohemia.
2. Prague Astronomical Clock
The Prague Astronomical Clock, also known as Prague Orloj, is a medieval world wonder astronomical clock in Prague. It is located on the southern wall of the Old Town City Hall. Installed in 1410, the Prague Astronomical Clock is regarded as the third most ancient astronomical clock in the world and the most ancient one that is still currently working. Although the Prague Astronomical Clock is more than 600 years old already, it still flabbergasts thousands of tourists from all around the world with its moving symbolic sculptures and procession of 12 Apostles as well as its unique way of time visualization.
3. Powder Tower
The Powder Tower, also called as the Powder Gate, is an old city gates’ Gothic tower. It date back to the 11th century and is known as among the 13 original city gates. The Powder tower or Prašná brána serves as the barrier that separates the New Town from the Old Town and at the same time an entryway to the medieval Royal Route over the Charles Bridge. The tower stands 213 feet.
4. Charles Bridge
The 14th century historic bridge in Prague called the Charles Bridge is famous for the number of notable sculptures of saints that embellish it along its length. The Charles Bridge is the most ancient bridge in the city. It connects the Malá Strana or Lesser Town to the Old Town. This stone Gothic bridge was once named as the Kamenný most or Stone Bridge during the first several centuries of its existence. The Charles Bridge crosses the river Vltava. It was built with 16 pillars by Petr Parler and under the auspices of King Charles IV. It measures 33 feet wide and 2037 feet long.
5. St. Nicholas Church
In Malá Strana commune, you can find the best exemplar of a high Baroque style church in Prague. This church is called the Kostel svatého Mikuláše or Church of Saint Nicholas. The Church of Saint Nicholas is famous for its impressive dome that is known for having the highest interior in Prague. The dome measures 20 meters in diameter and has over 49 meters interior height. The Church of Saint Nicholas was built between 1704 and 1755 over the former 13th century Gothic church. The interior of the church is richly embellished with great statues and exquisitely made frescoes created by the best artists of the 17th century.
6. Castle on the Heights
The Castle on the heights, locally known as the Vysehrad is a huge castle that was built on the heights of a rocky hill in the southern part of the center of the city. This 10th century castle was once the royal residence of the Bohemian rulers from its date of foundation until 1140. It was believed by locals that the Castle on the heights was established by Libuše, a Czech princess, who married the farmer Premysl. Apart from the castle, there are as well a few interesting spots to visit in Vysehrad. This includes the Vyšehrad Cemetery, the most ancient Rotunda of St. Martin as well as the Basilica of St Peter and St Paul.
7. Námestí Míru
Námestí Míru, translated as Peace Square, is a nice open square and a Prague Metro station on Line A. situated under the Korunní Street in the district of Vinohrady. Námestí Míru is a nice place for strolling. It is surrounded by great structures including the Vinohrady Theatre and the towering Neo-Gothic Church of Saint Ludmila. The Church of Saint Ludmila was built from 1888 to 1893 and was designed by sculptor Josef Václav Myslbek and other renowned Czech artists.
8. Národní Divadlo
The Národní divadlo or National Theatre is popular not only for being one of the national monuments of Czech history and art but also for being the alma mater of Czech opera. The National Theatre is a Czech cultural institution that stages ballet, opera, drama and other performances. This neo-Renaissance structure was designed by architect Josef Zítek and was founded at the final years of the 19th century. It is also known as the symbol of independent and culture of Czech. Today, the theater hosts regular opera, ballet and drama performances.
9. Výstavište
Výstavište is an exhibition ground in Prague that contains the illuminated and musical fountain called the Križík’s Light Fountain as well as the Art Nouveau Prumyslový palace or Industrial Palace. Výstavište also hosts funfair Lunapark and various events including concerts, exhibitions and other cultural festivities. It can be found nearby the Metro line C Nádraží Holešovice. Výstavište was built in 1891. Výstavište is also enclosed with several interesting sightseeing spots including a planetarium and the gigantic Stromovka Park on the western side as well as the HC Sparta Praha club’s home hall known as Tipsport Arena on the eastern side.
10. Staronová Synagoga
The Staronová Synagoga, also known as Altneuschul or Old New Synagogue, is the most ancient surviving and active medieval synagogue in Europe. It was built in 1270 in Josefov, just north of Old Town, Prague. The gothic style Old New Synagogue is one of the three synagogues of the Jewish Quarter ‘Josefov’ in Prague. This early Gothic style was one of the first gothic buildings in Prague. According to local belief, the Old New Synagogue is safeguarded by Angels who carried some stones which were believed to be from the Temple of King Solomon and brought them to the place where the synagogue was constructed.
11. Jan Žižka Statue
The Jan Žižka Statue is an immense equestrian statue of Jan Žižka that is located atop the Vítkov Hill, east of the historic center of the city. The Jan Žižka Statue is ranked as the third greatest bronze equestrian sculpture in the whole world. It was erected on the exact site where the then 60 years old one-eyed Hussite army leader known as Jan Žižka conquered the powerful army of the international alliance of crusaders in 1420. This 9 meters tall statue was built in honor of Jan Žižka.
12. Prague Zoo
Prague Zoo is a zoological garden in Prague that was ranked as the 7th best zoo in the world in 2007 according to Forbes magazine and the 4th greatest zoo in the world in 2015 according to TripAdvisor. This zoological garden was opened in 1931. It is known as one of the zoos that have significant contribution in protecting Przewalski’s horse. Prague Zoo holds the title as the world’s biggest breeder of the species for many years. It occupies a total area of 58 hectares and houses around 4,200 animals from approximately 650 species of which 132 species are listed as endangered.
13. Letohrádek Hvezda
The Letohrádek Hvezda, translated as Star Summer Palace or Star Villa, is a six-pointed star shaped renaissance villa in Liboc, west of the historic center of Prague. It is enclosed by a game reserve called Obora Hvezda that was established by King Ferdinand I in1530. The Star Villa has been listed as among the most valuable national cultural monument of the city since 1962. Today, the villa displays the Battle of White Mountain exhibition which is currently open for public visits.
14. National Gallery in Prague
If you would like to see the greatest collections of Czech Republic artworks, then you should not miss visiting the National Gallery in Prague. The gallery does not only display a huge number of Czech Republic’s art collections but also several international sculptures and paintings by world famous artists including Van Gogh, Picasso, Mucha, Monet and Kupka. Today, the gallery holds several permanent art displays and organizes a number of cultural events and exhibitions. This state-owned art gallery displays its collection in many historic structures both in Prague and other places of which the largest site is the Veletržní Palác.
15. Wenceslas Square
Wenceslas Square is an open and hectic square in Prague that was founded in 1348 by Charles IV as the Konský trh or Horse Market. The square, which gained its current name in 1848 during the Czech National Revival, is one of the places in Prague that hold great historical importance. Since Middle Ages, the Wenceslas Square served as the center of public gatherings, demonstrations and significant historic events. Among the notable Czech Republic events that were held on Wenceslas Square are the 1968 protests against the invasion of Soviet, the 1989 fall of Communism and the 1918 First Czechoslovak Republic declaration.
16. Prague Museum of Decorative Arts
The Prague Museum of Decorative Arts, locally known as the Umeleckoprumyslové museum v Praze, displays a broad collection of various objects ranging from Late Antiquity to the present day including textile, Art Deco, toys, glass, Cubism, design work, furniture, jewelry, fashion, ceramics, graphic art, applied arts and Art Nouveau. The museum was established in 1885 and is being housed in an 18th century Neo-Renaissance building situated in the Jewish Quarters of Prague. The museum aims to preserve and collect various historical and modern crafts for the reference of the future generation.
17. Municipal House
The Municipal House, also called Art Nouveau Municipal House or Obecní dum, is one of the major civic landmarks in Prague. It is also regarded as a concert hall, ballroom and a cultural center, famous for its importance in the political history of the Czech Republic. The Municipal House was built in the early years of the 20th century with an Art Nouveau architectural style. It is located in Námestí Republiky 5, just adjacent to the Powder Gate. It is regarded as one of the finest examples of Art Nouveau style in Europe. Surrounding the Municipal House are various restaurants and cafes.
18. Clam-Gallas Palace
The Clam-Gallas Palace is considered a valuable gem of Baroque architecture in the city. It is one of the most stunning citadels in Prague. It is located in the corner of Mariánské Square and Husova Street in the Prague Old Town, between Charles Bridge and the Old Town Square. The Clam-Gallas Palace was built in1713 by Italian architect Domenico Canevale for Naples Viceroy Johann Wenceslaus, Count of Gallas. In the 18th century this impressive Baroque palace hosts grand concerts and balls which was attended by several known personalities including Beethoven and Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart.
19. Kostel Matky Boží pred Týnem
The Kostel Matky Boží pred Týnem, translated as the Church of Our Lady before Týn or Church of Mother of God before Týn is a gothic church in Prague that is a known national symbol. The Kostel Matky Boží pred Týnem was once identified as the main church in the city during the times of Hussites. It was once the residence of Hussite archbishop Jan Rokycana. One of the interesting parts of the church is its interior which is known to be one of the richest you can see in the city. The main altar, which was designed with a picture of the “Rise to Heavens of the Virgin Mary”, was done by the famous painter Karl Skreta.
20. Staromestské Námestí
The Staromestské námestí or Old Town Square is one of the two major squares in the city. It was designed with gothic, romanesque and baroque architectural styles and was built in the 12th century. It is considered as among the most beautiful and significant historical spots in Europe. Standing in the square will let you travel back in time, with magnificent churches and historic structures that are 600 to 700 years old. From the square you can be able to get a good view of some of the prominent structures in the city, including the St. Nicholas Church, the Old Town Hall Tower, the Church of Our Lady before Týn and the Astronomical Clock.
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