Prague Things to Do Tips by OlafS

This gate forms the western entrance to the castle. It was built in 1614 and was the first Baroque construction in Prague. This is where you want to be when you want to see the changing of the guards.

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Address: Prague Castle

Every hour you can see a ritual that is staged for the tourists, with an extra long performance at noon. I saw the long version. I wonder who comes up with these things? A soldier or a choreographer? You get to see men dressed in uniform walking both fast and slow, with one at the front doing a bit of shouting, then the same soldiers standing still, making a turn etc. I found it a bit boring really. And the music sounds so much like the theme music from Thunderbirds that it gets hilarious. Come to think of it, some of these soldiers look a bit like puppets too.

But, people flock to see it so I'm probably the only one who doesn't like this ritual very much. If you want to see it, come early for a good spot. Like a half hour in advance.

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Directions: Prague Castle

The St. Vitus cathedral is a powerful symbol of the Czech nation, and was finished in the 19th century. Its construction started in 1344, lead by Matthieu d'Arras. The first parts that were built are therefore in French Gothic style. After his death D'Arras was replaced by Peter Parler, a German, who continued in a German Gothic style. Several wars prevented the continuation of the work, until in the 19th century the rise of Czech nationalism resulted in the construction of the neo-Gothic western part with the two towers, a task that was completed in 1929.

I didn't go in, the church was closed for tourists at that time, but I know the church has some very impressive vaults and stained glass windows, at least one of which was designed by master of Jugendstil Mucha.

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Zlata Ulice ("Golden alley") in Hradcany castle complex is a tourist trap if I ever did see one! This narrow street with neat little old houses was packed with tourists every time I came here. Inside the houses are small shops aimed at the tourists. It's very nice to see, if you can see anything through the crowd of people that is, but you have to pay a fee to enter this street of souvenir shops. Not much, but still, since they charge you for just about anything in this city you may want to be selective. With so many golden streets and alleys in this city that you can go in for free, why pay for this one? I took the picture in 1995, when entrance was still free all day. If you want to you can always come after 17.00 h, when entrance is free.

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Don't let that Baroque facade fool you; behind it is a truly Romanesque church, one of the oldest churches in Prague. It's much better to see from the alley next to it. The church was founded in the 10th century, rebuilt in the 12th,and the facade added in the 17th. The towers are reconstructions of those that were built in the 12th century and date from 1969-1975.

(Please note that the facade isn't really that red; that's just the result of a somewhat failed attempt at editing the picture. Colourblindness does that to me sometimes....)

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Address: Bazilika sv. Jiri
Directions: Prague Castle
Website: http://www.hrad.cz

This palace with the peculiar sgraffito on its walls dates from 1547-1567. The sgraffito was a much used technique for palaces in Bohemia, and there are a few more examples to be seen in Prague. This palace was under restoration during my last visit, but in 1995 staged sword-and dagger fights were held in the courtyard. The building itself was a military museum but, according to our guide, the entire collection has vanished without a trace.

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Address: Prague Castle

Nice Baroque church, named after a Czech saint. I saw the dome-spire rising above the other buildings when I stood on Hradcany Square. Of course I just had to take a look. The moral of this story: wander around. Don't stick to the obvious sights but find out what's beyond those small streets. That's a tip that applies to all of Prague. In fact, to much of the world. Get lost!

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The Loreto is a sanctuary, not a monastery as I first thought. This Baroque 17th-century complex was made to impress in an attempt to win the Czechs back to the catholic faith. Impress it does, and the wide facade with the elegant tower is one of the prettiest things I saw in Prague. My personal opinion of course, but with so much beauty in this city it does say something, I guess.

Inside the walls is a copy of Mary's house in Nazareth. Or so they say, I'm not sure if I really believe that. Of course there's is a building that they call the Santa Casa, but I'm not sure if it really is a copy of that old house. which, BTW, is said to be preserved in an Italian place called Loreto. Anyway, who am I to judge. I didn't even see it. When I passed by the door to the complex was still closed. You'll have to pay to get in. I wonder if locals in the 17th century were charged too. Guess not, the original goal of the Loreto, to convert people, just doesn't seem to matter anymore. However, this is one of a few things I didn't mind having to pay for, but as it was still closed and time was limited I will have to wait until next time.

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Address: Loreta, Loretanske namesti 7.
Directions: Castle Hill (Hradcany), 5min west from Prague Castle.

This big palace was built in 1668-1688 for Count Humprecht Jan Cernin. It really is huge and, compared to the Loreto on the other side of the street, a bit ugly. Like its neighbour it was built to impress, but in another way than the Loreto. This is architecture of power. It's now the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

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On top of Petrin hill you'll find this big white Baroque monastery, the history of which goes back to the 12th century, making it older than Hradcany itself. I visited at night, which is when you can have an impressive view over illuminated Prague. Of course you can have a great view at daytime too, it's just a short climb/walk from the castle. The monastery itself has a nice church and also houses the museum of Czech literature.

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Address: Strahovksy klaster, Strahovske nadvori 1
Directions: From Prague Castle: Hradcanske namesti, Loretanska street, Pohorelec.
Website: http://www.vol.cz/MONASTERY/