PRAGUE
by Ritika Nandkeolyar
Prague contains some of the most well-preserved and
varied architecture in Europe. UNESCO declared the
whole historic centre of the city, all 866 hectares, a
world heritage site in 1992. The heart of Prague is four
districts: Hradcany, the Castle District, west and north of
the Castle; Mala Strana, the Lesser Town, south of the
Castle; Stare Mesto, the Old Town, on the east bank
opposite the Castle; and Nove Mesto, the New
Town, further south and east.
Prague Castle
The castle is Prague’s most popular tourist site. The
official residence and seat of Czech rulers throughout
history, foundations of the castle date from the 9th
century. It can properly be thought of as a complex
and contains several museums and churches. The royal
gardens are where the first European tulips were
cultivated. The Toy Museum is the second largest in
the world. The brightly colored homes of Golden Lane
are directly built into the castle wall and number 22
was once home to author Franz Kafka.
www.hrad.cz
St. Vitus Cathedral
Located on the grounds of the Castle, this cathedral
houses the crown jewels and the tomb of Good King
Wencelas. The cathedral was a work in progress for
many centuries: construction began in 1344, but the
church was modified during the Renaissance and Baroque
periods and also has 20th century stained glass.
Malá Strana (Lesser Town)
Surrounding the castle is a part of Prague straight
out of history. This part of Prague dates from the
13th century and is great for strolling around.
Notable in this district are the Wallenstein Palace,
now the house of the Senate, Kampa Island and the
gardens of Petøín Hill.
Charles Bridge
This bridge has connected Lesser Town with Old Town
since 1400 but only gained its current name in the
19th century (after Emperor Charles IV). Most of the
thirty statues of saints on this bridge are copies.
The 17th century originals housed in the National
Museum. The bridge offers great views of Old and
Lesser Towns.
Old Town Square
This large town square is surrounded by historic
buildings such as Town Hall, Kinský Palace, the House
of the Stone Bell, the Štorch House, and, several
cafes, galleries and shops. The square was originally
formed in the 10th century and still is a focal point
for the city of Prague.
Old Town Hall
Although the Town Hall is a beautiful neo-gothic
building, it plays second fiddle to its clock. The
Town Hall Clock has been marking the hours with a
procession of Jesus and the 12 Apostles since the 15th
century. The clock also has two other features: an
astronomical clock and calendar. The clocktower is
nearly 70m high and provides great views.
Josefov (Prague's Jewish Quarter)
The remains of Prague’s former Jewish ghetto contains
Europe’s oldest surviving Jewish cemetery, several
synagogues and the Jewish town hall. The town hall is
closed to the public except for a Kosher cafe. Josefov
was named after the reformer emperor Josef II, former
inhabitants of this area include Franz Kafka.
National Museum
The Museum is actually spread over several sites with
the main building dominating Wenscelas Square.
Permanent exhibitions focus on natural history and
include prehistory of Bohemia, Moravia and Slovakia.
www.nm.cz
The Dancing Building
With so much history in Prague it is easy to lose
track of the modern, but Prague is far from
fossilized. For a prime example, check out the Dancing
Building (also known as Fred and Ginger after Astaire
and Rogers). Fred and Ginger was designed by renowned
architect Frank Gehry and was built between 1992 and
1996. The building is in Gehry’s trademark curvilinear
style. While the majority of the building is office
space, the building also has several shops and cafes.
A meal at La Perle de Prague, the French restaurant on
the top floor, is expensive but the dining room offers
views of the Prague skyline and Prague Castle.
http://www.laperle.cz/
Prague Theatre
For an unusual theatre experience try one of these
three uniquely Czech forms: Black Light Theatre,
National Marionette (Puppet) Theatre) or Laterna
Musica. There are several Black Light theatre
companies and depending on the production, black light
theatre can involve mime, ballet, animated film,
puppets & live actors. The National Marionette
Theatre’s repertoire includes is a puppet version of
Mozart's opera Don Giovanni, with puppets in period
costumes and authentic 18th century stage sets.
Laterna Musica is a mix of film, visual effects, and
ballet.
http://www.prague.cz/theatres.asp
by Ritika Nandkeolyar
Prague contains some of the most well-preserved and
varied architecture in Europe. UNESCO declared the
whole historic centre of the city, all 866 hectares, a
world heritage site in 1992. The heart of Prague is four
districts: Hradcany, the Castle District, west and north of
the Castle; Mala Strana, the Lesser Town, south of the
Castle; Stare Mesto, the Old Town, on the east bank
opposite the Castle; and Nove Mesto, the New
Town, further south and east.
Prague Castle
The castle is Prague’s most popular tourist site. The
official residence and seat of Czech rulers throughout
history, foundations of the castle date from the 9th
century. It can properly be thought of as a complex
and contains several museums and churches. The royal
gardens are where the first European tulips were
cultivated. The Toy Museum is the second largest in
the world. The brightly colored homes of Golden Lane
are directly built into the castle wall and number 22
was once home to author Franz Kafka.
www.hrad.cz
St. Vitus Cathedral
Located on the grounds of the Castle, this cathedral
houses the crown jewels and the tomb of Good King
Wencelas. The cathedral was a work in progress for
many centuries: construction began in 1344, but the
church was modified during the Renaissance and Baroque
periods and also has 20th century stained glass.
Malá Strana (Lesser Town)
Surrounding the castle is a part of Prague straight
out of history. This part of Prague dates from the
13th century and is great for strolling around.
Notable in this district are the Wallenstein Palace,
now the house of the Senate, Kampa Island and the
gardens of Petøín Hill.
Charles Bridge
This bridge has connected Lesser Town with Old Town
since 1400 but only gained its current name in the
19th century (after Emperor Charles IV). Most of the
thirty statues of saints on this bridge are copies.
The 17th century originals housed in the National
Museum. The bridge offers great views of Old and
Lesser Towns.
Old Town Square
This large town square is surrounded by historic
buildings such as Town Hall, Kinský Palace, the House
of the Stone Bell, the Štorch House, and, several
cafes, galleries and shops. The square was originally
formed in the 10th century and still is a focal point
for the city of Prague.
Old Town Hall
Although the Town Hall is a beautiful neo-gothic
building, it plays second fiddle to its clock. The
Town Hall Clock has been marking the hours with a
procession of Jesus and the 12 Apostles since the 15th
century. The clock also has two other features: an
astronomical clock and calendar. The clocktower is
nearly 70m high and provides great views.
Josefov (Prague's Jewish Quarter)
The remains of Prague’s former Jewish ghetto contains
Europe’s oldest surviving Jewish cemetery, several
synagogues and the Jewish town hall. The town hall is
closed to the public except for a Kosher cafe. Josefov
was named after the reformer emperor Josef II, former
inhabitants of this area include Franz Kafka.
National Museum
The Museum is actually spread over several sites with
the main building dominating Wenscelas Square.
Permanent exhibitions focus on natural history and
include prehistory of Bohemia, Moravia and Slovakia.
www.nm.cz
The Dancing Building
With so much history in Prague it is easy to lose
track of the modern, but Prague is far from
fossilized. For a prime example, check out the Dancing
Building (also known as Fred and Ginger after Astaire
and Rogers). Fred and Ginger was designed by renowned
architect Frank Gehry and was built between 1992 and
1996. The building is in Gehry’s trademark curvilinear
style. While the majority of the building is office
space, the building also has several shops and cafes.
A meal at La Perle de Prague, the French restaurant on
the top floor, is expensive but the dining room offers
views of the Prague skyline and Prague Castle.
http://www.laperle.cz/
Prague Theatre
For an unusual theatre experience try one of these
three uniquely Czech forms: Black Light Theatre,
National Marionette (Puppet) Theatre) or Laterna
Musica. There are several Black Light theatre
companies and depending on the production, black light
theatre can involve mime, ballet, animated film,
puppets & live actors. The National Marionette
Theatre’s repertoire includes is a puppet version of
Mozart's opera Don Giovanni, with puppets in period
costumes and authentic 18th century stage sets.
Laterna Musica is a mix of film, visual effects, and
ballet.
http://www.prague.cz/theatres.asp
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FAMILY TRAVEL FUN
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PRAGUE, PRAGUE HOTELS