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    Tourist Attractions in Prague

    The most interesting and beautiful tourist attractions in Prague. Photos and a brief description.

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    About Prague

    For Prague, such epithets as “mystical”, “magical”, “mysterious” are firmly entrenched. Many tourists fall in love with the capital of Bohemia forever and call it the most beautiful city in Europe. Indeed, there is something magical in the gloomy Gothic castles, winding alleys and ancient cathedrals of Prague.

    Guests of the city are waiting for not only original excursions around the night city, a visit to the ancient Prague Castle, Charles Bridge and river walks along the Vltava. A trip to Prague is also a unique opportunity to enjoy traditional Czech cuisine and taste incomparable Czech beer, which has been brewed according to ancient monastery recipes for many centuries.

    For lovers of spectacles, artists and musicians in medieval costumes have prepared performances, which, like hundreds of years ago, they give in the middle of the city’s street squares.

    Top Tourist Attractions in Prague

    Charles Bridge

    A medieval city bridge spanning the Vltava River and connecting the Old Place and the Small Country. Named after the Emperor Charles IV. Since its construction in the middle of the XIV century, the structure has served so that the rulers could drive through it to their castle. Since 1974, the bridge has become pedestrian. Now it is a lively place where tourists walk, paintings by street artists are put up for sale and costumed performances take place.

    Charles Bridge
    Wenceslas Square

    Wenceslas Square

    The central square of the Novo Mesto district, the cultural center of Prague, where public and state events are often held. Along the square there are hotels, famous shops, restaurants, nightclubs and offices of large companies. The square is named after the main patron saint of the Czech Republic, St. Wenceslaus. Since the XIV century, fairs and executions have been held here. Gradually, the houses of artisans and merchants surrounded Wenceslas Square.

    Old Town Square

    The main square of the city in the Old Place area, where life has been boiling since the XII century. Back in those days, a large market worked here, where various goods were delivered along the Vltava River. The ancient buildings surrounding the square are very well preserved, as they were able to avoid large-scale destruction during the Second World War (except for the Town Hall building). Thanks to this, today tourists can admire wonderful examples of Gothic and Baroque.

    Old Town Square
    Old Town Hall and astronomical clock

    Old Town Hall and astronomical clock

    After the Old Place was recognized as a city, according to the laws of the XIII century, it was necessary to erect a town hall where the city government could be located. But its own town hall appeared in Prague only in the XIV century. Over 700 years of existence, it has grown significantly, as many extensions have appeared. On the ancient town hall tower there is an operating Astronomical clock of the beginning of the XV century – a unique creation of watchmakers with many dials built into each other.

    Tyn Temple

    A picturesque Gothic cathedral, a real decoration of the Old Town Square. The temple began to be built in the XIV century, its construction took more than 160 years. The ashes of significant historical figures rest inside. Two 80-meter towers rise above the temple, from which the gloomy breath of the Middle Ages blows. Inside there are a couple of dozen altars, distinguished by rich decoration and luxury.

    Tyn Temple
    St. Nicholas Church

    St. Nicholas Church

    The main church of the Czechoslovak Hussite Church was built in the first half of the XVIII century. Although there are many majestic buildings on the Old Town Square, it is difficult not to notice the Church of St. Nicholas. Statues, stained glass windows and frescoes resemble objects of art. The organ plays an important role in the interior. There is a lot of gilding and small details of decoration around it. And the crystal chandelier of the temple is a gift from the Russian Emperor Alexander II.

    Karlstein Castle

    The famous Czech Castle is 30 km away. from Prague. It is an almost impregnable fortress, where important state documents, relics, jewels and symbols of power were kept. The fortification was built by order of the Holy Roman Emperor Charles IV in the middle of the XIV century. The ruler personally supervised the construction and decoration works. Karlstein remembers the glorious kings of the past and keeps sacred relics within its walls.

    Karlstein Castle
    Prague Castle

    Prague Castle

    A complex of structures listed in the Guinness Book of Records due to its huge size (70 thousand m2). There are historical palaces, ancient cathedrals and chapels, galleries, towers and museums, as well as the famous "Zlata Street". The Government of the Czech Republic is sitting in Prague Castle. The first settlements existed here in the IX-XI centuries, as evidenced by excavations. Prague Castle is a "city within a city", it is considered the core of the Czech capital.

    Troisky Castle

    A Baroque palace on the outskirts of Prague, surrounded by picturesque landscaped gardens. It has an external resemblance to classic Italian villas. At the end of the XVII century, the complex belonged to the aristocratic Steinberg family. Inside there is a collection of paintings of the XIX century, a wine museum and a collection of oriental ceramics. The most luxurious interior is the Imperial Hall, where you can see frescoes glorifying the deeds of the Habsburg dynasty.

    Troisky Castle
    Visegrad

    Visegrad

    An ancient castle and defensive structure in the southern part of Prague, built on a hill. Visegrad appeared in the X century and reached its heyday by the end of the XI century, but soon fell into decline. Under Charles IV, his revival took place. Here is the Basilica of St. Peter and Paul, which is associated with the formation of the statehood of the Czech Republic. In the distant XI century, Prince Vratislav II conceived to build a temple on the model of the main cathedral in the Vatican, but due to a fire, the plan could not be fully implemented.text

    Prague Loreta

    A complex of structures around a replica of the hut of the Virgin Mary, where this saint was brought up and grew up (according to Christian beliefs). Such "lorets" have become widespread throughout Europe. The Prague house was built in the 17th century in the Baroque style. On its territory there are seven chapels, a clock tower, decorative fountains and galleries. Prague Loreta is a very popular and visited Catholic center.

    Prague Loreta
    St. Vitus Cathedral

    St. Vitus Cathedral

    The main (cathedral) church of the Czech capital is located on the territory of Prague Castle. The cathedral is dedicated to three saints at once: Vitus, Wojtek and Wenceslaus. In the X century, a small basilica was located on the site of the building, which under Charles IV in the XIV century began to grow and be completed. The cathedral was built in several stages for almost four centuries. The last works were completed in 1929.

    Strahov Monastery

    The monastery was built for the monastic order of Premonstrants in the XII century. It is located close enough to Prague Castle, so it could not avoid damage during the Hussite wars, the storming of the fortress during the Thirty Years' War and other battles. There is a large library on the territory of the monastery, where 2.5 thousand ancient manuscripts are stored, including the Strahov Gospel of the IX century.

    Strahov Monastery
    National Theatre

    National Theatre

    The main theater of Prague, which is considered one of the symbols of the national revival of the Czech people. It was built at the expense of the people, since the Austro-Hungarian government did not allocate money. The opening took place in 1881, but soon the theater burned down and reopened in 1883. The building adorns the embankment of the Vltava River and is not inferior in beauty even to the famous Vienna Opera. The interior is made with grace and luxury.

    Rudolfinum

    A colorful building on Jan Palach Square – two in one – a concert hall and a gallery. Named "Rudolfinum" in honor of the Austrian Crown Prince. The initiator of the construction is the Savings Bank of the Czech Republic. The opening ceremony took place in 1885. For 20 years in the first half of the last century, the parliament met in this building. In the 90s, reconstruction took place, and the site was transferred to the Czech Philharmonic Orchestra.

    Rudolfinum
    National Museum

    National Museum

    The building was built in the Neo-Renaissance style by architect D. Schultz. There are expositions that tell about the history of the Czech Republic. It is proposed to view paleontological and anthropological collections, a library, a collection of coins, medals, sculptures and other materials found during excavations. In addition to the main building, the museum has several branches.

    National Technical Museum

    It was opened in 1908 with the aim of collecting technical achievements from different fields in one place. Among them are photographic art, transport industry, printing craft, metallurgy, astronomy, military affairs. The exposition is divided into themes and distributed in separate halls. At the beginning of this century, the building and the exhibitions themselves went through a major reconstruction. The public was allowed back into the museum in 2011.

    National Technical Museum
    Museum of Communism

    Museum of Communism

    The post–war history of Czechoslovakia is something that today's Czechs do not want to forget or repeat. The museum covers the period from the putsch of 1948 to the revolution of 1989. Exhibits: photographs, propaganda and motivational posters, busts and statues, authentic interiors, equipment and documents, dummy rockets, wardrobe items. The names of the halls are also interesting: "Dream", "Reality", "Nightmare".

    National Memorial to the Heroes of the Heydrich Terror

    7 Czechoslovak saboteurs in 1942 performed a real feat, killing a prominent Nazi figure Reinhard Heydrich. Their memory was immortalized in the form of a memorial in the Cathedral of Saints Cyril and Methodius. A board with information about the warriors is installed on the building. There is an embrasure nearby, on which even traces of shots have been preserved. A permanent exhibition was placed in the hall of the temple, and bronze busts and biographies of soldiers were placed in the crypt.

    National Memorial to the Heroes of the Heydrich Terror
    Jewish Museum

    Jewish Museum

    More than 100 years ago, historian August Stein began collecting artifacts from lost city synagogues, as well as religious objects important to the Jewish community. The museum created as a result has become so extensive that it is called the "Jewish city". The attraction includes several synagogues, but only the Spanish one is used for religious purposes. In addition, there are educational and cultural centers.text

    Franz Kafka Museum

    A museum (or rather a traveling exhibition) dedicated to the Czech writer genius F. Kafka. The exhibition contains the first published books of the master, his manuscripts, diaries, sketches and photographs. In the courtyard there is a sculptural group-a fountain of very ambiguous content. It depicts two men relieving a minor need on a map of the Czech Republic. There is an opinion that the creator D. Cherny put a political subtext into his creation, but most believe that this is a simple outrage.

    Franz Kafka Museum
    Sculpture

    Sculpture "Franz Kafka's Head"

    An art object made of stainless steel is installed near the Quadrio shopping complex. The sculpture consists of horizontal layers rotating at different speeds. They freeze for a while and fold into a huge head, and then they start moving again. The author of the project is David Cherny. He felt that it was not enough to imagine Kafka in a static sculpture. The writer was unusual, so you need to apply a creative approach to his image.

    Memorial to the victims of Communism

    A modern monument from 2002, which, according to the idea of the author Zubek, should symbolize the suffering of political prisoners during the rule of the communist government on the territory of the Czech Republic. The memorial consists of seven male figures descending the stairs. Each next one contains more and more significant defects: cracks, fractures, lack of limbs.

    Memorial to the victims of Communism
    Petrshinskaya Tower

    Petrshinskaya Tower

    The tower, erected for the opening of the Industrial Exhibition in 1891. It was nicknamed the "Prague Eiffel Tower". At first, the tower served as an observation deck, offering a good view of the city. In the middle of the XX century, the first antenna for television broadcasting was placed in it, which led to an increase in the length of the structure by 20 meters. The total height of the Petrshinskaya Tower is 60 meters.

    Zhizhkovskaya TV Tower

    The current television tower, built at the end of the XX century. The height of the structure is more than 200 meters, it is perfectly visible from any part of Prague. The structure is quite unusual, it has been included more than once in the lists of the ugliest buildings in the world, then in the ratings of the most original. The observation deck is located at an altitude of 93 meters. The tower also has a panoramic restaurant, a bar and a hotel where newlyweds like to settle.

    Zhizhkovskaya TV Tower
    Powder Tower

    Powder Tower

    An old Gothic building right in the middle of the street near M. "We need Republicans." In its place once stood the city gate. In the XVIII century, a powder magazine was placed here, from which the name of the structure came. Nowadays, there is a photo exhibition inside and an observation deck is open, from where you can take some spectacular pictures. The powder Tower reminds tourists of the dark years of the Middle Ages with all its appearance.

    Public House

    The building erected on the site of the old royal residence. After the construction was completed, meetings and exhibitions were held in it. This place has a special significance for the country, since the independence of the Czech Republic was declared here in 1918. Nowadays concerts are held on the territory of the Public House. Every spring, the Prague Spring Music Festival takes place here, which gathers bands from all over the world.

    Public House
    The Jewish Quarter (Josefov)

    The Jewish Quarter (Josefov)

    The quarter on the site of the Jewish ghetto of the XI century. Until the beginning of the XVIII century, it was surrounded by a wall, but by the will of Joseph II, the barriers were demolished. The quarter was completely rebuilt at the end of the XIX century, only a few old buildings and synagogues, as well as the old Jewish cemetery, have been preserved. Before the events of the Second World War, more than 100 thousand people lived here, now the population is only a few thousand inhabitants.

    Vinarna the Devil

    The narrowest Prague street, or rather a narrow alley, which is only 70 cm wide. Only one person can pass here at a time. In order for people not to collide, pedestrian traffic lights are working at both ends of the street. During the high tourist season, a lot of people waiting for their turn gather near these traffic lights. The name came from the winery, which is located near the lane.

    Vinarna the Devil
    Golden Lane

    Golden Lane

    A museum street in Prague Castle, filled with "toy houses" inhabited by fairy-tale characters. In the XVI century, jewelers and coiners working for the Treasury lived here (hence the name of the street). According to one of the popular legends, alchemists also settled on the Golden Lane, whose main job was to turn any suitable material into gold. The place became uninhabited after the Second World War, all the houses were adapted for museums.text

    Havel Market

    Grocery and souvenir market, designed mainly for tourists. Here you can buy flowers, berries, honey, sweets, pastries and much more. There is also a wide variety of souvenirs: wood and leather products, marionette dolls, Bohemian glass, jewelry. The market has existed since the XIII century, in the Middle Ages, Germans lived in the vicinity, who gave the name of the market in honor of St. Gavl.

    Havel Market
    Prague Zoo

    Prague Zoo

    The zoo, which contains more than 400 species of animals, some of them are recognized as endangered. There is a petting zoo and a children's railway on site. The atmosphere of different climatic zones is recreated in numerous pavilions. The most impressive is the pavilion "Indonesian Jungle", built in 2002. Galapagos turtles live only in Prague Zoo, the only one in the whole of Europe.

    John Lennon's Wall

    A wall with numerous graffiti created by fans of the Beatles and D. Lennon. There is a version that it originated as a protest against the communist authorities. The monument symbolized the free spirit, the desire for independence and freedom. The authorities tried to demolish the wall several times, but without success. It should be noted that the legendary musician himself has never visited Prague.

    John Lennon's Wall
    Dancing House

    Dancing House

    An interesting and non-standard architectural solution implemented by F. Gary and V. Milunich. The house is located in the center of Prague, on the ground floor there is a French cuisine restaurant. The structure is sometimes called a "glass" and a "drunken house". The dancing house is built in a modern deconstructivist style, which uses asymmetrical and sometimes disorderly forms. At first, the townspeople did not accept the innovative construction, but soon enough it became the "highlight" of Prague.

    Vltava River

    The longest river flowing through the territory of the Czech Republic. "Vltava" in translation from the ancient dialect means "wild water". There are several bridges across the river in the city, the most beautiful of them is the Charles Bridge. In the warmer months, there are many walking routes for tourists. From the ship you can admire the magnificent urban architecture and see Prague from a slightly unusual angle.

    Vltava River