Hradčany and Prague Castle

Hradčany was founded by the High Burgrave Hynek Berka of Dubá as an independent tributary town around 1320. In 1598 Hradčany was elevated to a royal town and in 1784 it became a part of Prague. Nowadays it forms a collection of valuable historical buildings /Archbishopric Palace, Černín Palace, Thun Palace, Schwarzenberg Palace, Loreto, Strahov Monastery/ and cultural monuments of which highlight is concededly the Prague Castle with the cathedral. For Prague Castle hotels click here Prague castle hotels

Prague Castle

The Prague Castle is a symbol of the Czech stateness. From the very beginning it has been a seat of Bohemian Princes, Kings and Emperors and since 1918 Czechoslovak and since 1993 Czech Presidents. The present day appearance of the Prague Castle was impressed by the Queen and Empress Maria Theresa /1740-1780/. The castle buildings were united during the late Baroque and neo-Classical reconstruction. This reconstruction gave the Prague Castle its uniformity and at the same time Viennese elegance.

A part of the complex of the Prague Castle is the Cathedral of St. Vitus in which Czech Land patron saints were buried /St. Wenceslas, St. Adalbert, St. John of Nemomuk/ as well as rulers /e.g. Přemysl Ottokar II, Charles IV, Wenceslas IV, George of Poděbrady and Rudolph II/, archbishops and important personalities that were active at the court of Kings of Bohemia. The cathedral which was not completed untill 1929 shelters the most valuable treasure – the Czech crown jewels. These are kept in a special chamber above the Chapel of St. Wenceslas.

Curiosity:Under Rudolph II /1576-1612/ Prague was visited by a lot of important personalities for whom the city became a new home /Tycho Brahe, Johannes Kepler/ and also a magic metropolis of Europe which attracted alchemists and charlatans.

We recommend to visit the Romanesque Basilica of St. George, the Vladislav Hall, the royal Chapel of All Saints and the Golden Lane. If you are interested in old European art you can visit the Picture Gallery of the Prague Castle or the Lobkowicz Palace which is in possession of a significant princely family of Lobkowicz. If you are tired you can relax in gardens of the Prague Castle with the Summer Palace of the Queen Anne /Belvedere/ from 1538-1562.

Loreto

A pearl of Baroque Prague is a property of the order of the capuchins. Behind its walls a famous Loreto treasure can be found which consists of outstanding goldsmith, silversmith and art-and-craft works. The famous Diamond Monstrance – the Prague Sun is worth mentioning. Bells in the tower play a Marian hymn every hour.

Curiosity:In the complex of the Loreto you can find an altar of a bearded female saint – St. Wilgefortis

Strahov Monastery

One of the most important Premonstratensian monasteries of Europe in which relics of St. Norber, the founder of the order, have been kept since 1627. It was founded in 1140. We recommend to visit the Baroque Basilica of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary and one of the most beautiful libraries of the world with the Philosophical Hall /preserved important manuscripts, incunabula, old prints and collection of old engravings/. The Premonstratensians also own an outstanding collection of paintings which you can admire on the premises of the monastery.Nowadays the Museum of the National Literature is situated in the Strahov Monastery, too.

New World

The New World has been a part of Hradčany since 1375 and it is a frequent tourist destination thanks to its picturesqueness and calm atmosphere. The New World is formed by tiny burghers´ houses. Among others alchemists /Tycho Brahe, Johannes Kepler/, who were in services of the Emperor Rudolph II, lived here.

Little Quarter

Church of St. Nicholas

One of the most important architectural monuments of Baroque Prague, built in the high Baroque style, in two periods 1703 – 1711 and 1737 – 1751. A lot of prominent architects, painters and sculptors participated in the construction and decoration such as Christopher and Kilian Ignaz Dientzehofer, Anselmo Lurago, Karel Škréta, František Xaver Palko or Ignác František Platzer. For its magnificence the church is a dominant feature of the city and for sure it is worthseeing.

The Church of Our Lady Victorious (the Infant Jesus of Prague)

The originally Lutheran church was consecrated to the Virgin Mary Victorious in honour of the victory of the imperial troops at the battle of the White Mountain /1620/. In the church the merciful wax statuette of the Infant Jesus of Prague is adored that was donated to the church by Polyxena of Lobkowicz in 1628. Statuette of the Infant Jesus of Prague is known all over the Catholic world. The church is much-sought-for first of all by tourists from Southern Europe and South America.

Wallenstein Palace

The supreme commander of the imperial troops Albrecht of Wallenstein /1581-1634/ had the palace built. For its area it ranks among the largest palace complexes in Prague. The famous Wallenstein garden is also its part. The building was erected in the style of mannerism or also early Baroque between 1623-1633, nowadays it is the seat of the Senat of the Czech Republic.Curiosity: The palace was in possession of the counts of Wallenstein till 1945.

Palace Gardens below the Prague Castle

On slopes below the Prague Castle palace gardens are situated on Valdštejnská Street /Ledebour, Pálfy, Kolovrat Gardens/. The present appearance comes from the 18th century. The gardens are open from May to September, from 9 am till 4 pm.

Kampa

A part of the Little Quarter which is separated by the Devil´s Stream (Čertovka) and thus it makes Kampa an island. Over the island a part of the Charles Bridge spans. An impressive part of the Little Quarter which is connected with the park of Kampa.

Charles Bridge

Charles IV had the bridge built in the second half of the 14th century and so it replaced the original Judith Bridge. It is the second oldest bridge in Bohemia /Písek/ and for centuries it was the only connecting link between both Prague towns. The dominants of the bridge are Baroque statues and groups of statues /Matyáš Bernard Braun, Ferdinand Maxmillian Brokoff etc./ and it is considered one of the most beautiful open-air galleries of statues. The best known statue is the statue of St. John of Nepomuk whose dead body was thrown from the bridge to the river Vltava in 1393. Parts of the bridge are two towers of the Little Quarter and one of the Old Town which served as gates to both Prague towns. For Charles bridge hotels click here Charlesbridge

Curiosity: The bridge has seriously been threatened by several floods for centuries /the last time in 2002/.

Staré město, Josefov a Nové Město

The Square of the Knights of the Cross (Křižovnické náměstí)

A small square near the Charles Bridge with the Baroque churches of St. Francis of Assisi /J.B. Mathey/ and the Holiest Saviour /Carlo Lurago/ which is a part of the complex of the former Jesuit monastery called Clementinum that houses the National Library nowadays. On the square there is also the statue of Charles IV. For hotels in Old town click here Old town hotels.

Josefov

Originally the Jewish ghetto which was opened by the Emperor Joseph II and which was destroyed by the slum clearance at the end of the 19th century. On the site of the picturesque nooks ostentatious houses of flats were built in revival (neo-) styles. Thus the Parisian /Pařížská/ Street originated which has been one of the most luxurious streets till now. Only The Old-New, Maisel, Pinkas Synagogues and the former Jewish Town Hall have been preserved.

Curiosity: Josefov is associated with many legends, the best known is of an artificial man – the Golem that was created by the Rabi Löwe.

Rudolfinum

A neo-Renaissance building was built by Josef Zítek and Josef Schulz between 1876-1884. Between 1919-1938 the building became the first parliament of newly established Czechoslovakia. Between 1939 and 1945 it was a seat of the Gestapo. Nowadays it serves for concert purposes, the Prague Spring is among the most famous ones. New!!! Dvorak´s Prague takes place 21/8 to 4/9 2009. For more info click here http://www.dvorakovapraha.cz. For hotels near Rudofinum concert hall click here Rudolfinum hotels

Municipal House

The Art Nouveau edifice from the beginning of the 20th century is a representative building of the city of Prague and till now it serves for concert purposes. On the site of the Municipal House a royal palace stood originally, where some Kings of Bohemia resided, e.g. George of Poděbrady.

Powder Tower

A Gothic building from the 2nd half of the 15th century is characteristic for its hipped roof. The gate was modified by Josef Mocker at the end of the 19th century.

House At the Hibernians

Originally a church, which was named after the Irish Franciscans /Hibernians/, was abolished by the Emperor Joseph II. At the beginning of the 19th century it was rebuilt in the Empire style. Today it serves as a theatre for musicals.

Moats (Příkopy)

A living shopping artery linking the Square of the Republic (náměstí Republiky) and Wenceslas Square (Václavské náměstí).

Wenceslas Square (Václavské náměstí)

Originally the horse market, today it reminds of a long boulevard. At the end a neo-Renaissance building of the National Museum from 1890s and a group of statues of St. Wenceslas made by sculpor Josef Václav Myslbek are situated which we suggest to visit. For hotels in Weceslas square area click here Wenceslas square hotels

National Avenue (Národní třída)

A living artery which leads you to the Gothic church of Our Lady of the Snows which captivates you by its height. The church is open all day long. At the end the National Avenue is dominated by the National Theatre from 1863-1883 /Josef Zítek a Josef Schulz/. Opposite to the National Theatre there is the Lažanský Palace of which ground floor houses the famous cafe Slavia that has preserved the atmosphere of the interwar Prague.

Interesting exhibitions in Prague