15 Top Tourist Attractions in Prague

Thirty years in the past, Prague was a thriller to vacationers in Europe; now, nonetheless, it is among the hottest locations on the continent, drawing about 4 million guests every year. Prague presents a compact metropolis middle, an enchanting centuries-long historical past with splendid examples of Romanesque, Gothic, Baroque, Renaissance and Artwork Nouveau structure.

There are additionally scores of palaces, church buildings, parks and squares in Prague, scrumptious native Czech beer and meals for cheap costs. An summary of the highest vacationer points of interest in Prague:

See additionally: The place to Keep in Prague

The Municipal Home is a fantastically ornate constructing proper subsequent to the Pachovsky Palace and the Powder Tower within the previous a part of city. Bohemian Kings used to rule the countryside from this artwork nouveau basic the place operas and performs at the moment are held.

The constructing has a dramatic entrance with a concave mural depicting basic artworks. Inside, you’ll discover sculptures from among the most famed artists of previous centuries, and the constructing hyperlinks proper as much as Prague’s historic metropolis gate making for a dramatic image.

Petrin Hill looms over the traditional metropolis of Prague throughout the river from previous city the place you’ll discover meandering paths which can be good for a day stroll. They’ll take you up the hill the place you possibly can get pleasure from sweeping views of previous city, a mini Eiffel Tower, an astronomical observatory, a centuries-old brewery and the Strahov Monastery which homes an ornate library.

Kick off your go to to Prague with a stroll up Petrin Hill to get the lay of the land. Climb the 299 steps of the 60-meter (200-foot) Petrin Tower, modeled after France’s iconic landmark, to get a chicken’s eye view of the winding streets under.

You don’t essentially consider unique animals if you consider this historic metropolis, however Prague has probably the greatest zoos in all of Europe. You’ll discover this sprawling expanse of zoo animals proper on the banks of the river Vitava subsequent to the Troja Fort.

Ranked the fifth finest zoo on the planet, you possibly can stand up shut and private with uncommon animals just like the Galapagos Large Tortoise that lives a formidable 100 years. You’ll additionally discover elephants, rhinos and giraffes all through the expansive grounds.

The Spanish Synagogue sits proper within the coronary heart of previous city within the Jewish Quarter. It was constructed again in 1868, is Prague’s first Jewish Home of Worship and is broadly thought to be probably the most lovely synagogue in all of Europe.

This Moorish-style constructing options gorgeous stained glass home windows, stylized Islamic motifs handpainted onto the partitions and ornate gold tilework. Essentially the most breathtaking characteristic is the inside of the huge central dome. Galleries crown the dome so there’s loads to discover in certainly one of Prague’s most prized buildings.

It took 600 years to construct this magnificent cathedral and it is among the most richly endowed church buildings in Europe. You’ll discover this towering construction inside the partitions of Prague Fort on the high of a steep stroll paved with centuries-old stones. St Vitus Cathedral nonetheless serves because the seat of the Archbishop of Prague.

Inside, you’ll see the baroque silver tomb of St John of Nepomuck in addition to gorgeous artwork nouveau stained glass, a 14th-century mosaic of the Final Judgement and the tombs of Saint Wenceslas and Charles IV. Insider tip — as an alternative of going proper into the citadel, take a stroll left of the principle gate via a backyard with sweeping views of town. Cross a cherub fountain and discover stairs to your proper. Ascend the steps via the citadel wall for probably the most breathtaking reveal of the church.

One of many authentic gates into Previous City Prague, this tower was first constructed within the eleventh century and rebuilt within the fifteenth century. Through the seventeenth century, the tower was used for storing gunpowder, which is the place it will get its identify.

The royal route, the coronation route of the Bohemian kings, began on the tower, via Previous City, throughout the Charles Bridge and as much as Prague Fort and St. Vitus Cathedral the place the kings have been topped.

Powder Tower is related by a coated bridge to what was once the palace of King Vladislav II who rebuilt the tower in 1475. The previous palace is now the Municipal Home and stays related to the tower. Contained in the tower is a spiral staircase with 186 steps main as much as the gallery the place guests can get nice view of Previous City.

Prague is understood for its centuries-long span of architectural kinds, with the tip of the twentieth century exemplified by the deconstructivist constructing Dancing Home, created by Czech architect Valdo Milunic and Canadian Frank Gehry. This exceptional construction accommodates each dynamic and static components, and resembles a feminine dancer swaying within the arms of her male companion, the Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers of the architectural world.

Situated on the financial institution of the Vltava River and Resslova Road, Dancing Home is a personal workplace constructing apart from a restaurant on the seventh ground, the Celeste, which is open to the general public.

Dancing Home stands in strict distinction to the classical structure surrounding it, which incorporates buildings in Artwork Nouveau, Neo-Gothic and Neo-Baroque kinds. Its extremely fashionable design created public outcries and controversy throughout its building; years later, Prague is proud to point out off its splendid Dancing Home.

In Josefov, Prague’s former Jewish Quarter, is the oldest lively synagogue in Europe, the Previous-New Synagogue. Legend tells that stones from the Second Temple in Jerusalem have been dropped at Prague by angels to construct the partitions of the synagogue. Prague’s first gothic constructing, the Previous-New Synagogue was accomplished in 1270 and has held divine companies ever since, apart from the Nazi occupation of 1942-45. The synagogue grew to become the center of the Jewish Quarter.

The Previous-New Synagogue can also be the house of Prague’s Golem, or so legend has it. Within the sixteenth century, Rabbi Jehud Löwa created the golem from clay and animated it with breath and a parchment bearing directions positioned in its mouth. When the Golem went mad and have become aggressive, the Rabbi returned it to clay, stating that when exhausting occasions for Jewish folks got here once more, the Golem could possibly be re-awakened.

The Church of Our Woman earlier than Tyn graces the Previous City Sq.. Among the many most well-known points of interest in Prague, the church’s Gothic towers soar 80 meters (260 ft) into the sky and could be seen from all components of town.

Like many different Prague church buildings, the location’s authentic constructing was an eleventh century Romanesque church constructed for overseas retailers who got here to Tyn Courtyard for commerce.

The current church was constructed within the 14th century, though the roof, towers and gables got here years later. Inside, Tyn Church holds many artworks in Gothic, Baroque and Renaissance kinds. Our Woman earlier than Tyn’s architects have been Petr Parler and Matthias of Arras, who created a lot of Prague’s Gothic buildings.

On the opposite finish of Charles Bridge from Previous City Sq. lies the Malá Strana or Lesser City district. Baroque structure is the rule in Malá Strana, though its historical past dates again to 1257 when it was based as a royal city. The Baroque St. Nicholas Church and the intensive Wallenstein Palace dominate the world.

The district hosts palaces, church buildings, squares, parks, gardens and plenty of different points of interest. Surrounding Lesser City Sq. are pubs, outlets, eating places and worldwide embassies, housed in grand previous Baroque buildings. Towering over Malá Strana is Prague Fort, which could be reached by a hike up picturesque Nerudova Road.

Homes on the road boast heraldic emblems and beasts such because the White Swan, the Golden Horseshoe and the Crimson Eagle. Vacationers eager for a quiet stroll in a park ought to head for Vojan Park or Petrin Hill.

Considered one of Prague’s two major squares, Wenceslas Sq. is a consumer’s paradise and haven. Set off as Prague’s horse market by Charles IV in 1348, Wenceslas Sq. is extra of a boulevard than a standard sq.. Situated in New City, the sq. is house to bars, golf equipment, eating places, accommodations, outlets and banks, making it town’s leisure, nightlife and business district.

A lot of Czech’s twentieth century historical past occurred in Wenceslas Sq. as political actions and gatherings met on the statue of St. Wenceslas to parade down the sq.. Wenceslas Sq. is central to most of Prague, as Previous City Sq. and Charles Bridge are however a five-minute stroll away, and all three metro traces meet within the sq.. Wenceslas Sq. is house to the grand Nationwide Museum and the Prague State Opera.

You will discover the Previous City Corridor proper within the coronary heart of previous city Prague. You’ll know you’ve discovered it by the gathering crowds on the base of its gothic tower the place each hour between 9 a.m. and 11 p.m. the 12 Apostles seem on the astronomical clock.

The looks solely lasts a second, however the crowd will roar with applause for the wonderful mechanical present. It’s made all of the extra spectacular by the truth that this constructing was first established again in 1338 and served because the seat of the previous city administration. Take a guided tour of its tower and underground areas for a small payment.

Crafted in 1410 by a clockmaker and a professor of arithmetic, the Previous City Corridor’s astronomical clock has been repaired and maintained for over 600 years, making it the third oldest clock on the planet. The figures of the Apostles, that are proven within the two higher home windows each hour, have been added in 1865. The traditional “orloj” reveals Babylonian time, Previous Bohemian time, German time and sidereal time, in addition to dawn and sundown, phases of the moon and the solar’s place within the zodiac.

When the clock strikes the hour, bells ring, the Stroll of the Apostles begins, the Gothic sculptures transfer, a cock crows and a trumpeter blast units off a tourist-pleasing present, a sight everybody ought to see at the least as soon as. For probably the most fanfare, catch the show at midday or at midnight.

Towering above town is Prague Fort, extra of a sprawling complicated than a single defensive constructing. The citadel buildings span centuries and consists of a royal palace, a cathedral and three church buildings, a basilica, a monastery, defensive towers, royal stables, a tiny lane the place craftsmen labored and luxurious gardens.

Prague Fort started as a wood fortress with earthen bulwarks within the ninth century; by the eleventh century, it included a royal palace and the 14th century noticed the start of St. Vitus Cathedral. The cathedral within the citadel complicated is a jewel in Prague’s crown, an outstanding instance of Gothic structure. Kings and emperors are buried right here.

Situated between Wenceslas Sq. and the Charles Bridge, Prague’s Previous City Sq. is usually bursting with vacationers and locals in the summertime. Czech’s lengthy historical past is exemplified within the medley of architectural kinds: Romanesque, Baroque, Rococo, Gothic and Renaissance are all represented within the excellent buildings across the sq..

Hovering Gothic towers that rise from Tyn Cathedral contrasts with the Baroque model of St. Nicholas whereas Previous City Corridor consists of a set of Gothic and Renaissance buildings. Entranced guests wander via the sq., stopping for a spot of people-watching at one of many out of doors cafes or finding out the sq.’s central statue of Jan Hus, church reformer and martyr.

Connecting Previous City and Lesser City over the River Vltava is the 600 year-old Charles Bridge, Prague’s most iconic landmark. King Charles IV commissioned the bridge in 1357, changing the Judith Bridge which was destroyed by a flood in 1342.

Thirty Baroque statues line the perimeters of the pedestrian bridge together with myriad vendor’s stalls, musicians, efficiency artists and beggars. A bustling, busy space, the bridge is nearly by no means empty of individuals, though seeing it at daybreak or within the night will imply fewer crowds.

Prague Fort, looming above, is lit at night time, and gives a dramatic vista that enchants all guests. On every finish of the Charles Bridge rests a tower that gives an important view of the bridge to those that climb the steps.

Map of Prague

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Conclusion

Thirty years in the past, Prague was a thriller to vacationers in Europe; now, nonetheless, it is among the hottest locations on the continent, drawing about 4 million guests every year. Prague presents a compact metropolis middle, an enchanting centuries-long historical past with splendid examples of Romanesque, Gothic,