Prague : Travel Guide

Travel guide to Prague

    Prague is a political, cultural, and economic hub of central Europe, with a rich history and Romanesque, Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque architectures.Prague is home to a number of well-known cultural attractions, many of which survived the violence and destruction of 20th-century Europe and the best spot for a book lover as the city is filled with many libraries. Main attractions include Prague Castle, Charles Bridge, Old Town Square with the Prague astronomical clock, the Jewish Quarter, Petřín hill and Vyšehrad. The city has more than ten major museums, along with numerous theaters, galleries, cinemas, and other historical exhibits.

Places to Visit

Prague Castle

A view from Prague Castle

  

     Prague Castle is a castle complex in Prague 1 Municipality within Prague, Czech Republic, built in the 9th century. It is the official office of the President of the Czech Republic. The castle was a seat of power for kings of Bohemia, Holy Roman emperors, and presidents of Czechoslovakia. The Bohemian Crown Jewels are kept within a hidden room inside it.

    According to the Guinness Book of Records, Prague Castle is the largest ancient castle in the world, occupying an area of almost 70,000 square meters , at about 570 meters in length and an average of about 130 meters wide. The castle is among the most visited tourist attractions in Prague, attracting over 1.8 million visitors annually. 

Vltava River

    

    Vltava is the longest river in the Czech Republic, running southeast along the Bohemian Forest and then north across Bohemia, through Český Krumlov, České Budějovice and Prague, and finally merging with the Labe at Mělník. It is commonly referred to as the "Czech national river". This river was the inspiration for the Moldau, a symphonic poem by the composer Bedrich Smetana.

Old Town

    

    The Old Town of Prague is a medieval settlement of Prague, Czech Republic. It was separated from the outside by a semi-circular moat and wall, connected to the Vltava river at both of its ends. The moat is now covered up by the streets Revoluční, Na Příkopě, and Národní—which remain the official boundary of the cadastral community of Old Town. Notable places in the Old Town include Old Town Square and Astronomical Clock. The Old Town is surrounded by the New Town of Prague. Across the river Vltava connected by the Charles Bridge is the Lesser Town of Prague. The former Jewish Town  is located in the northwest corner of Old Town heading towards the Vltava.

The Museum of Magicians and Alchemists

     There are two levels of displays in this museum and they trace the history of the occultists who once lived in Prague. It includes an alchemist’s lab in the tower of the building, stocked with scrolls and grimoires, as well as stunning artistic scenes of failed magicians being dragged into hell by the devil. If you’re interested in this kind of display, make sure you take the time to explore every corner of the museum, because it will really teach you about another side of Prague’s history.

Strahov Monastery

    If you enjoy libraries then you’ll love the Strahov Monastery. Make sure you check out the unique card catalog system, which uses wooden cartouches with images on them to tell you about the stored books. Also, have a look at the cabinet of curiosities, which were brought from the estate of Karel Jan Erben in 1798. They contain parts of a dodo bird, ocean specimens, insects, and anthropological artifacts and are a slightly strange but fascinating look at one man’s obsession.

The Idiom Installation

    This is a display created by artist Matej Kren and it’s called Idiom. It’s a long-term art display where hundreds of books are stacked in a cylindrical tower. Carefully placed mirrors give the impression that the tower is infinite, and this mind-bending display is best seen through a tear-shaped opening on one side of the tower. Peeking through this world will give you a taste of what it’s like to sink into a well of books and never come out again.

National Museum

And outside view of the museum

An inside view of the museum

    The national museum is spread across several locations and houses some of the city’s most important collections in a variety of different fields. So, when you’re visiting Prague, make sure you stop by to explore the city’s take on archaeology, zoology, anthropology, art, music, entomology, or mineralogy. It’s the oldest museum in Prague and was first established in the early 1800s.

The Dancing House of Prague

A place to visit if you love architecture

    I was looking for unusual things to do in Prague, so the dancing house was on my list. Completed in 1996, it took 4 years to complete and is a fine example of Frank Gehry and Vlado Milunic’s work. It sits on riverfront land and is surrounded by 18th and 19th-century architecture, so the building looks shockingly out of place where it is! It’s one of the top tourist attractions for good reason!

The Clementinum and the National Library 

The Clementinium is one of the largest collections of historic buildings in Europe.

        There are several beautiful baroque buildings in this area including the National Library of the Czech Republic. This historic site was once part of a Jesuit College and houses the Jesuit book collection. Later, the books from the Karolinum were added and the site became a public library in 1782. If you’re a book lover, then you’ll love this place. It contains more than 6 million books, including copies of every book published in the Czech Republic. But make sure that you don’t spend all your time reading because the building itself is stunning. Some of the highlights you should check out include the Baroque Library Hall, which has incredible ceiling artwork. You can also visit the amazing Mirror Chapel and the Astronomical Tower. And if you want to learn more, English tours are available to give you a deeper understanding of the site and its significance.

Food to Explore

Fruit Dumplings

    The one thing that attracted me to the Czech traditional food is the Czech fruit dumpling. The best dumplings in Prague are available at  Cafe Savoy.These traditional Czech dumplings consist of a pliable, soft dough that is wrapped around whole strawberries.