Prague Top 10 Attractions

1. Prague Castle - visit also our Prague Castle webcam

Prague Castle is undoubtedly not only the Czech Republic's greatest monument but it is also one the most significant and spectacular sights in the world. Viewed by night or by day from Charles Bridge or from the Old Town bank of the River Vltava it stirs the soul with its splendor and magnificence. It is an enormous complex of religious and civic structures right out on the edge of a steep ridge above the river. The Castle is the seat of the Czech President and the many offices that go with it. Additionally it is the location of the towering Cathedral of Saint Vitus built in a predominantly Gothic style and dating back for the best part of a thousand years.

It is the burial site of Czech kings, the most important of them being Charles IV sheltering the glorious St Wenceslas Chapel with an entry also to the staircase that leads to the Crown Chamber where the Czech Crown Jewels are protected. Close by St Vitus Cathedral is the much smaller Church of St George going back to the 12th century. Originally a Romanesque design it now comes closer to Baroque in appearance. But Prague Castle isn't all about churches and their architecture. There is also the charming, tiny street called Golden Lane and its row of low roofed houses where goldsmiths used to live and which now houses a number of museums of medieval armory and textiles.

From the south the Cathedral is faced by The Old Royal Palace which was originally Romanesque, as well as its most stunning part which is the Vladislavsky Hall classified as being one of the longest halls in all Europe at more than 60 metres long. At the northern extreme of Prague Castle is the very attractive Royal Summer Palace, also known as the Belvedere which can be reached by walking through the the beautifully kept gardens belonging to the Castle where the some of your most memorable photos may be taken to help you remember the beauty of this extraordinary place.  Read more about Prague Castle

2. Charles Bridge

One of the most romantic places in the world, the venerable Charles Bridge in Prague - the city's oldest - must surely rank as one of the most pleasant strolls you could possibly begin upon. Stretching for a charmingly, slightly crooked length of half a kilometer it is a walk which one would prefer could never end such is the appeal of the old structure. Furnished by a continuous  array of statues and statuary, baroque in style and dating back many hundred years that people love to touch and pose beside there is a feeling that just for once, especially in the misty dead of night, that time has stood still. Whether crossing from the Old Town to the Lesser Town or vice-versa the old stone edifice, exposed innumerable times to so many potential calamities - be they the forces of nature, or the artillery of armies, has withstood them all. It is protected and accessed at both ends of its length by bridge towers, one of which is on the Old Town side and two of slightly different height on the side of Lesser Town which continues to Lesser Town Square.

Every day of the year competing for space with the tourists not too mention competing with the statues too, dozens of people set up on the bridge to entertain or to sell items. Artists, musicians, jugglers, souvenir vendors, caricature painters and all and any other kinds of distracters vie for your attention so much so that it can be said that the Bridge is a great employer. It wasn't always like this. In the 14th century Prague desperately needed a bridge that wouldn't collapse every few years and need continuous repairing. It was Charles IV Holy Roman Emperor and King of the Czechs who decided on doing things right. He commissioned his architects, including the great Peter Parler to draw up plans for the sturdiest, while at the same time elegant, bridge possible. The Charles Bridge of today is the enduring result. Read more about Charles Bridge

3. The Astronomical Clock and Old Town Square

The Old Town Square that all paths seem to lead to because this is the cultural and historical center of the the Old Town. It has been a square for demonstrations, celebrations and the route of Royal processions ever since it was finished. And in addition it contains some of the most splendidly preserved architecture anywhere in Europe. The Astronomical Clock, still working punctually and perfectly, dates all the way back to the 1400s. The dial represents the sun and the moon along with various astronomical forms. The appearance of the 12 apostolic statues, on the hour every hour, parading around their eyrie high up on the tower is a veritable magnet for people who gather beneath it many minutes in advance.

Dominating the square at ground level is the large statue surrounded by a railing and flower beds of Jan Hus, the great but tragic religious reformer of the 14th and early 15th centuries. Surrounded by the imposing churches of Saint Nicholas and that of Old Town Hall itself the square is a perfect place for meeting and lingering, or dining in the many cafes and restaurants there. All year round horse drawn carriages carry tourists on an old time jaunt through the square and the charming streets roundabout. In Summer time stages are erected for musical entertainment with everything from the latest rock band to Christmas when it becomes a festive and beautiful wonderland of color, stalls and  the famously large and bright Christmas tree. Please see Christmas in Prague to discover more. Having said that Old Town Square and the Astronomical Clock make a wonderful sight all year long. More information about Astronomical Clock.

4. Vysehrad Castle

Vysehrad isn't in fact in the city centre although with the modern metro service on the red line that will take you along the spectacular Nusle Bridge it is very close. Most of it is set within a huge park the crowning piece of which is the stunning Church of Saints Peter and Paul. For many people it is their favourite Prague experience possibly because it gives them a chance to relax and enjoy the atmosphere while furthermore it is usually  a very quiet and tranquil place away from the commotion and crowdedness of downtown Prague. The opportunity to ramble around stopping to admire the tiny rotundas, bandstands, gates, and flower gardens with their wealth of statuary is hard to resist. At the Church of St. Peter and Paul, which in itself is magnificent especially its colossal entrance doors and gothic windows and tracery there stands one of the most evocative and evoking little cemeteries in the whole country. 

Within it many of the greats of Czech history are buried, some of them judging by the elaborate and very extravagant tombs and graves being very wealthy indeed. However maybe the truly stupendous things about Vysehrad are the unforgettable views it affords towards the city and Prague Castle in one direction and southwards down the majestic Vltava river in the other. It all began with the Premyslid Dynasty who were in the ascendency a full thousand years ago and when during the second half of the 11th century King Vratislav set himself up here turning his back on Prague Castle. Prague Castle - but during that time the enormous complex had been laid out. Of that original complex, there isn't unfortunately too much remaining as regards a residence. bur for hundreds of meters around the quite phenomenally high and strong walls are very much still with us. Walking the perimeter of those rampart walls is a fantastic experience. More information about Vysehrad Castle

5. Josefov - Jewish Museum

Completely surrounded by the historic area of Old Town and right in the center of Prague is the tiny - it once was much larger - cadastral or district called Josefov and here they, in what was for all practical purposes a ghetto, they set to work building their synagogues for worshiping and building their tiny premises for trading and living in too. So hard did they bend themselves to their task that in time it prospered and became wealthy. By the end of the 16th century.

Mordechai Klausen Synagogue, the Pinkas Synagogue all dating from the 16th century. Going back even further is the Old Jewish Cemetery where the gravestones are packed so tightly together it is near impossible to imagine how many reverend burials occurred here down the centuries within such a small space. The architectural high point of Josefov must surely be the Old New Synagogue that goes all  the way back to 1270, a near impossibly evocative and flawless construction. it isa must to visit while in the Josefov ghetto. And yet what is described here is just an introduction to all the emotions and sights you will experience in Josefov. More information about Jewish Museum in Prague

6. Wenceslas Square

Part of the historic center of Prague and a World Heritage site also is the magnificent broad avenue which is Wenceslas Square. Starting out originally as a Horse market, which was in fact its primary use for a number of centuries, it was realized that its location as well as its natural incline would perfectly suit its development into something more attractive and grandiose. So it was that by the late 18th century plans to enlarge it and lay it out in the form it has today were being studied. The Czech National Revival Movement in the middle of the 19th century with its political movements and notions of romantic nationalism decided on giving it the name of Saint Wenceslas Square in honour of the patron saint of Bohemia. Things suddenly began to take off, the colossal horse statue was built as was the spectacular neo-classical Museum behind it both of which are great meeting points and focal points for people today. Cementing its reputation as the great place for people to gather whether to protest, celebrate or demonstrate the Square was the spot chosen for the unforgettable proclamation of independence of Czechoslovakian 1918. This speech was made right in front of the horse statue by Aolis Jirasek to tens of thousands of delirious Czechs.

Events in the decades which followed weren't so wonderful. The Nazis paraded up and down the Square when they invaded, while the Russian communists in 1968 extinguished all hopes of a Prague Spring being a reality by brutally crushing all protestors on the square too. So upset by this dashing of their dream of freedom the heroic young man Jan Palach burned himself to death just months later right in front of the horse statue. And so it is that the Square has alway been the pulse of the city. Happiness finally returned in November 1989 when 150,000 people celebrated freedom and crowded into Wenceslas Square to do it. Today it is mainly a square of business, commerce, and tourism. Many elegant hotels and large stores are found along its length.

7. National Theatre

The stunning building on the corner of beautiful Narodni St is one of the nation's proudest and justifiably so. More than any building in the entire city it testifies to the will and perseverance of the people and to their unflappable desire to have a theatre of their very own of which they could be proud. Raising the money for the project during the penurious 1870s was no easy task but ten of thousands of people answered the call to make a contribution so much so that the cost of it was achieved after a number of years.

To great jubilation the National Theatre was opened for the first time on June 11, 1881 to honour the visit of crown prince Rudolf and a fantastic celebratory night was had. Little could those who were present have known that just two months later their beloved theatre would be consumed by fire and all but destroyed. One more time the people were asked to contribute and heroically they responded again and so it was that on a wintry night in November 1883 it was inaugurated and the great Czech composer conducted Libuse for the occasion. In the aftermath of this performance nothing untoward happened at the theatre and astonishingly it functioned without need for any improvements or repairs for the next 94 years. Finally in 1977 it was closed, but this time deliberately, for all of six years to carry out some major safety, structural, and auditory renovations. And in November 1983 its doors were welcoming people through again to commemorate its 100th anniversary. A stirring story for a extraordinary place. 

Today naturally the National Theatre is running as well as ever before and has made its name as one of the great venues of the high entertainment world. Each season brings the very best in opera, ballet and plays from the world's and the Czech Republic' finest composers and dramatists. Just a look at the programme for the 2010-2011 season shows that performances of works by Mozart, Puccini, Turandot, Beethoven, Bellini, Wagner, Verdi, Smetana, Dvorak  and Donizetti among many others will take place. One of the great advantages of the National Theatre in Prague is that price are affordable for everybody. For it is a theatre of the people and so that is what it always endeavors to be so that the wealthy can rub shoulders with the working class. Be sure to visit it and take in a performance or two. It is sure to be a memorable experience.

8. Strahov Monastery and Strahov Library

Strahov Monastery is a beautiful monastery and church as well as library located a short  walk from both from the main entrance to Prague Castle and also from the green and grassy Petrin Hill. It stands on a wonderful perch overlooking Mala Strana and the cityscape around it which guaranteed its safekeeping over the centuries as any trouble could be seen coming. it was established by the - difficult to pronounce - Premonstratensians, a Catholic religious order who were founded in northern France by Saint Norbert in 1120. Distinguished by their white habit they adhered to the teachings of St Augustine of Hippo. First built in 1140 it began its existence as a small and rather insignificant Romanesque stone monastery with a capacity for just 12 monks. In the winter of 1258 a terrible fire broke out within the building which couldn't be contained because much of the interior was of wood and the church part of the complex was completely destroyed.

Attempts at reconstructing it and repairing it weren't very thorough and so inevitably the monastery suffered an even worse fate in 1420 when it was plundered and attacked by the citizens of Prague who burned books and looted or damaged valuable chalices, and holy objects. If these events represented the bad times - and there were more as in the relentless attacks on the monastery during the Hussite Wars of the early 15th century not to mention a brutal prolonged assault upon it by the Swedes in 1648 - a brighter future was on the horizon. Because in 1670 Jeroným Hirnheim, a philosopher and theologist became the abbot of Strahov. His magnus opus, which is still visible is the building of the new library, the present Theological Hall completed in 1679. Following this, in  the 17th and the early 18th century other abbots took up the challenge to strengthen, enlarge and most of all beautify the monastery. They also attended to the church, which was repaired and decorated continuously as the decades went by In 1779 Václav Mayer became abbot and was the last to carry out great building activities. His most outstanding work was the building of the new library  in Classical style. Today it is known as the Philosophical Hall. Taken over by the Communists once they came to power in the late 1940's, they to their credit didn't destroy it but instead turned the building into the Museum of National Literature ousting the monks in the process. Today the monastery has been returned to its Premonstratesian owners and is in safe hands. The church is a beautiful sight to see or to attend mass there on weekdays or Sundays but the highlight must surely be the library with its 16,000 priceless volumes in the gorgeous Philosophical and Theological Halls. Read more information about Strahov Library

9. Boat trip on the Vltava

Sometimes it is necessary for every visitor to have a pause from the usual tourist routine like walking uphill and downhill, standing, queuing and finally seeing the beautiful monument. But then you realize you are too exhausted to enjoy it because of all the fellow tourists getting in your way. And so it is that a wonderful and relaxing way to admire Prague and all the fabulous architecture and views along its majestic river is to take a boat trip. And what wonderful options and choices there are today. There are 'Lunchtime Cruises', 'Prague By Night Cruises', lengthy and magical 'Dinner Cruises with Music' included or for those who want no frills and pampering plain 'One Hourly Cruises' during all the hours of daylight.

Whatever you choose you are guaranteed the chance to see Prague from a totally different perspective than usual and furthermore all you need do is sit and at a leisurely pace, without looking out for traffic or pedestrians or having to hear carhorns and tram bells, enjoy the wonderful and tranquil journey. Additionally there is onboard commentary of what you are viewing or about to view which is both pleasureable and informative and adds immeasurably to the enjoyment of your trip. Depending on which route you choose to take you should be able to admire the magnificence of the National Theatre, the Dancing House, the Rudolfinum, the sight of Charles Bridge and of course the extraordinary creation that is Prague Castle. Unless the weather is particularly inclement the river cruises occur right throughout the year and are often very reasonable in price. Summer, or at least during warm weather, is needless to say the most advantageous time for taking the river boat trip, but nowadays with these cruises taking place on such elegant boats with heated indoor cabins it can be unforgettable anytime of year.

10. Troja Chateau and nearby Botanical Gardens

Troja Chateau is such a charming and attractive chateau that the entire district in which it is located is named after it too. It is one of the less touristic parts of Prague and all the better for that as the visitor willl have the pleasure of spending a beautiful time there without too many fellow tourists to compete with. Among many other features the chateau is admired for its magnificent staircases one of which contains a whole gallery of statuary with scenes of the Greek gods of Olympus fighting their forebears the Titans. Not quite the Battle of Troy but people associated the chateau with that ancient event and so the chateau was named Troja.

The building of the chateau or 'zamek' as the Czechs say commenced in 1678 financed by the extremely wealthy Count Václav Vojtech of Sternberk who commissioned the famous architect Jean Baptiste Mathey with the responsibility. In reality the ambitious Count hoped to gain more favor at the Royal Court and fortunately for him his gamble paid off. Unfortunately with the majority of the building complete a surprising setback came by way of the great plaque epidemic of 1685 and it would  be another three years until the Troja Chateau was declared ready and finished. But what a gorgeous creation it turned out to be. The style was predominantly that of a great Italian summer villa which was all the rage at the time. Broad and sweeping staircases led up to the first floor which was decorated and designed with astonishing frescoes and paintings of antique and mythological battle scenes. Lightness and brightness was the fashion as large windows in every room let in a maximum of cheerful light. A Grand Hall was laid out as the centerpiece for dances and parties.

The Troja Chateau won the admiration of many in high places so much so that for a time its owner was Empress Maria Theresa of Austria. The Troja Chateau is surrounded by a beautiful French garden. There used to stand a big Baroque fountain and a pool, but it was destroyed, probably by the Prussian army in 1757. But currently there are two charming  symmetric fountains there and decorative terracotta vases. Above the Troja Chateau and just a few minutes walk away is another fantastic place to visit while in the area and this is the Botanical Garden where there are many highly enjoyable, relaxing and informative moments to be spent admiring the diversity and the beauty of the flora there. There are both open air as well as glass covered expositions for which a number of hours are needed to truly appreciate. However the highlights must surely include the Vineyard of St Claire, the Japanese Garden, and the tropical greenhouse called Fata Morgana. Learn more about Troja Chateau