Prague Destination Guide

Wenceslas Square could be regarded as the commercial epicenter of Prague, strewn with an energetic fusion of retail fashion stores, business offices, hotels and restaurants.  Not only is the boulevard a busy gathering place during the daytime, it is one of the hottest spots for Prague's nightlife, with numerous pubs, lounges and clubs that stay open all night long.  At the top of the square is the National Museum, a large structure founded in 1818, with a large collection of various exhibitions of the arts and natural history.  The square was named after St. Wenceslas, who was the former duke of Bohemia in the 10th century.  A memorial statue dedicated to him and other patron saints can be found directly at the top of the avenue in front of the museum.  In the company of an attractive mix of different architectural styles, this is a lovely place for shopping, dining or leisurely exploring in the New Town of Prague. 

Old Town Square is undeniably the heart of Prague. Thousands of visitors gather throughout the year to explore the beautiful and historic architecture or enjoy a coffee in one of the many courtyard cafes. Here, tourists gather everyday on the hour to observe the animated statues that move in front of the unique Astronomical Clock, dated back to 1410, or climb the tower of Old Town Hall to enjoy the view below. The center of the square is occupied by the Jan Hus Memorial, a statue dedicated to a religious martyr who was burned at the stake for his reformative beliefs. With its variety of architectural styles, including the gothic Tyn Church with its vertical spires towering over the square and the stately St. Nicholas Church in baroque fashion, it is one of the most romantic places in Prague.  Additionally, there are outdoor markets held here throughout the year and live music on summer days, entertaining visitors and residents of Prague. 

The Charles Bridge is one of the most celebrated attractions in Prague. Dating back to as far as the 14th century, it was originally built under Charles IV as a crossing point over the Vltava River, connecting Old Town to the Mala Strana area and Prague Castle. There are two towers at either entrance and over thirty statues representing the patron saints along the bridge, distinctively decorating it in the gothic style. Throughout the year, heaps of visitors stroll along the bridge and take advantage of the small vender stands selling anything from artwork, marionettes and jewellery.

One of the largest castles in the world, the Prague Castle is a huge complex dating back to the 9th century. Set high on a mountain overlooking Prague, the castle adds to the stunning panorama of Prague's Old Town. With a politically rich history, the castle has offered office to emperors, kings, and presidents. Like the rest of Prague, the grounds are composed of a handsome combination of different architectural styles.  One of the most important structures is the St. Vitus Cathedral, a superior example of gothic architecture with its vertical elements stretching high over the city.  One of the oldest structures is the baroque St. George's Basilica, which holds the tomb of the saint Ludmila of Bohemia. Guests to the castle are welcome to stroll through the palace gardens, visit the museums and galleries, or perhaps attend a classical concert in this unique romantic atmosphere.

The Prague National Theater, or Narodni Divadlo, is the most prominent example of neo-renaissance architecture in Prague. Situated on the Vltava River, the theater stands as a cultural edifice in Prague dedicated to preserving the arts by alternating performances of opera, drama and ballet.  The theater, designed by Josef Zitek, opened under the auspices of a national donation in1881 in grand showcase for the arrival of the prince of Austria.  Inside, the theater is intricately decorated with romantic hand-painted ceilings and sculptures. Today the theater stands together with a contemporary glass addition and holds regular performances for visitors and locals. 

Following extensive renovation between 1994 and 1997, Municipal House has become one of Prague's most recognisable examples of Art Nouveau architecture. Situated next to the famous Powder Gate (Prašna brána) in Republic Square (Náměstí Republiky), the crème de la crème of Czech painters and sculptors were commissioned to decorate the building, including Alfons Mucha. Ever since its opening in 1912, the building has been used for conventions, conferences, concerts, balls and exhibitions. It houses the Czech National Symphony Orchestra and the main room, Smetana Hall, is - along with Dvorak Hall at the Rudolfinum -  the leading concert venue in Prague. Smetana Hall is of political importance as well, as it was the scene of the proclamation of the independent state of Czechoslovakia on 28th October 1918. Daily and nightly tours are available throughout the year and visitors can also enjoy a slap-up meal at the first-rate Franzouska restaurant, or soak up the ambience at the popular Municipal House Café.

Presiding over Vítkov Hill in Žižkov, the statue of Jan Žižka on horseback is a formidable monument to this one-eyed leader of the Hussites, who famously defeated the Catholic crusaders on that very spot back in 1420. Hewn entirely from bronze and erected in 1950, it is the largest equestrian statue in the world, weighing in at an impressive 16.5 tonnes and standing 9 metres high. Behind the statue lies the National Memorial, a huge granite and marble monolith completed in 1932 and built in honour of Czech soldiers. It was later used as a mausoleum for communist presidents, including Klement Gottwald and is now owned by the National Museum, which is currently developing it into a museum of Czech history.

Second in size only to the Prague Castle complex, the Klementinum is a collection of buildings next to Charles Bridge dating back to the 13^th century. Sights of note within the complex include the Mirror Chapel - built in 1724 and wonderfully ornate, it still houses the organ on which Mozart played when visiting; Baroque Library Hall - the Czech National Library containing some 20000 books, including many dating back hundreds of years and the Astronomical Tower, which offers superb views of Prague. Guided tours are available throughout the day, seven days a week and it's also a very popular venue for classical concerts.