Prague Local Attractions

The Old Town Square, situated on area of approx. 9 000 m², is surrounded by beautiful and magnificent historical buildings of the era of renaissance, baroque and rococo style, like for example the Old Town Hall with Astronomical Clock, the St. Nicolas Church, Tyn Church, Palace of Kinski and the “Dum u Kamenneho zvonu” – the House at the Stone Bell. The well-known royal road passes through this square and you will find the Monument of the Master Jan Hus in the middle of it.

The Prague Castle is situated on the rocky promontory above the Vltava River. It has been developed by gradual completion and rebuilding already in 9th century and with its length of 570 m and width of 125 is one of the largest castle complexes in the world. It has become a residence of Czech princes, later of Czech kings and emperors of the Holy Roman Empire, since 1918 has been known as the official residence of the President of Czech Republic. The St. Vitus Cathedral is a precious jewel of the Prague Castle, sacred place of Czech monarchs, the place of coronation and their burial ground.

This magnificent garden is part of the Wallenstein Palace and it is one of the most remarkable buildings of the early baroque. Wallenstein Palace became also the residence of the Senate of Czech Republic. The garden is composed in Italian style. You will find the “sala terrena” – Garden Hall on the east side, garden is decorated with three fountains and romantic pond. It has also one curiosity, the stalactite wall and aviaries for exotic birds.

The Charles Bridge is the oldest preserved bridge in the Czech Republic, bridging the Vltava River in Prague. It is already the fourth bridge situated in this place. The construction started under the auspices of the king Charles IV. in 1357, after the unfortunate bridge demolition during the ice melting in 1342. The royal road leads through this bridge and it is lined with 30 baroque statues and sculptures.

Petrin is 327 m high hill with its own cable railway. It is an extensive tree park, you will find also rocks, mainly sandstone. There is the Petrin Tower situated on the top of the hill with popular Mirror Labyrinth, besides of the other historical structures like “Hladova Zed” – Hungry Wall, Church of St. Lawrence and Villa of Kinsky family.

The Vltava River, monumentally flowing through Prague, is the longest river of the Czech Republic (433 km). Its name origin comes from the old Germans, who called it Wilt-ahwa, which means the wild river.

The National Theatre is the most famous theatre of Czech Republic. The renaissance building designed by the architect Josef Zitek is the most significant in terms of cultural, architectural and historical points of view. It has been built and designed especially thank to the Czech patriots and public collection, but also by the generous contribution of the emperor Frantisek Josef I., Provincial Committee of the Czech Kingdom, Russian emperor and Czech aristocracy.

Wenceslas Square (Czech: Václavské náměstí, colloquially Václavák) is one of the main city squares and the center of the business and cultural communities in the New Town of Prague, Czech Republic. Many historical events occurred there, and it is a traditional setting for demonstrations, celebrations, and other public gatherings. The square is named after Saint Wenceslas, the patron saint of Bohemia. It is part of the historic center of Prague, a World Heritage Site.

The very non-traditional design was controversial at the time because the house stands out among the Baroque, Gothic and Art Nouveau buildings for which Prague is famous, and in the opinion of some it does not accord well with these architectural styles. The then Czech president, Václav Havel, who lived for decades next to the site, had avidly supported this project, hoping that the building would become a center of cultural activity.

Source: wikipedia