Prague Favorite Tips by kris-t

Prague rooftops

Favorite thing: Prague historical center will fascinate you by the unparalleled ensemble of many architectural styles – Romanesque rotundas, Gothic spires, Renaissance palaces, the Jewish synagogues, Baroque churches and monasteries, Art Nouveau and Modernist houses.

Everything here, even ceramic rooftops, is telling the story of the city.

Church of St.Gallus

Favorite thing: The Church of St.Gallus is located in the Havelska Street in Prague's Old Town.

It was built on the orders of King Wenceslas I in 1230.

The original Romanesque church was often modified in the 14th and later 17th centuries. The current Baroque facade was constructed between 1723 and 1738.

Fondest memory: The church is the burial place of Czech Baroque painter Karel Škréta (1610–1674).

Havelská ulièka, 110 00 Prague 1

Nearest Tram Stop: Tram Vaclavske namesti (1510 feet)

The House at the Minute Old-Town Square Review

Favorite thing: The House at the Minute is a real Renaissance pearl.
It sits in the Old Town Square.
Greek mythology and references to biblical and Renaissance legends scene cover its impressive facade.

The House at the Minute was built at the beginning of the 15th century as a house in the late Gothic style and was a tobacco shop.

Fondest memory: Sgraffito decorations were created before 1615, but they were whitewashed during Baroque modifications. Their renewal took place only in the 1920s.

Franz Kafka lived on the second floor of the House at the Minute from 1889 till 1896, it was his childhood home.

Vltava

Favorite thing: The Vltava is the longest river in the Czech Republic, draining into the north from its source in Sumava through Èeský Krumlov, Èeské Budìjovice, and Prague (Praha), merging with the Elbe (Labe) at Mìlník.

It is 430 kilometers long and drains about 28,000 square kilometers; at their confluence the Vltava actually has more water than the Elbe, but joins the Elbe at a right angle to its flow so that it appears on maps as merely a tributary.

Fondest memory: In August 2002 a flood of the Vltava killed several people and caused massive damage and disruption along its length.

Old Town Hall with the Astronomical Clock Old-Town Hall & Astronomical Clock Review

Favorite thing: Estabished 1338 as the seat of the Old Town authorites. The oldest gothic part of the complex which includes a tower and an oriel chapel is richly decorated with coats of arms.

Prague Astronomical Clock was installed in 1410. It is the third-oldest astronomical clock in the world and the oldest one still working.

Fondest memory: 'The Walk of the Apostles': a clockwork hourly show of figures of the Apostles and other moving sculptures.

You can see on pic#3 figure of Death, whish represented by a skeleton, striking the time.

Zlata ulicka - Golden Lane Prague Castle Review

Favorite thing: Golden Lane is very interesting part of the Prague Castle complex.

11 Small houses built in the gothic fortification, the 16th centery homes of castle riflemen and craftsmen.

Now they exhibit medieval armoury and textiles, as well as selling tourist souvenirs.

You can also shoot a crossbow on the upper floor of one of the buildings.

You need to purchase a combined ticket for the whole Prague Castle complex in order to gain entrance to Golden Lane.

Fondest memory: Don't miss this small street on Prague Castle!

History

Favorite thing: According to legends, Princess Libuše, the sovereign of the Czech tribe, married a humble ploughman by the name of Pøemysl and founded the dynasty carrying the same name. The legendary Princess saw many prophecies from her castle Libusin, which was located in central Bohemia. (Archaeological finds dating back to the seventh century support the theory of the castle's location).

Fondest memory: In one prophecy, it is told, she foresaw the glory of Prague. One day she had a vision: "I see a vast city, whose glory will touch the stars! I see a place in the middle of a forest where a steep cliff rises above the Vltava River. There is a man, who is chiselling the threshold (prah) for the house. A castle named Prague (Praha) will be built there. Just as the princes and the dukes stoop in front of a threshold, they will bow to the castle and to the city around it. It will be honoured, favoured with great repute, and praise will be bestowed upon it by the entire world."

Zlata ulicka - Golden Lane Prague Castle Review

Favorite thing: Golden Lane, dating back to the end of the 15th Century, is yet another interesting part of the Prague Castle complex.
Golden Lane is a small street lined by 11 historic houses, some of which now house interesting armoury and textile exhibits, along with tourist souvenir shops.
A popular section of the Prague Castle complex, Golden Lane attracts it's fair share of visitors, crowding into the small passageway and low buildings.
Golden Lane was created when a new outer wall was added to the existing Romanesque castle complex. It was originally known as Zlatnicka Ulicka (Goldsmith's Lane), due to the many goldsmith's residing there.
In it's early years, Golden Lane consisted of many small dwellings, many of which eventually fell into disrepair. As larger buildings replaced the old ones and then have subsequently themselves been restored, we are left with a charming little passageway, well worth a visit.
Combined tickets for the whole Prague Castle complex include entrance to Golden Lane. Otherwise, buy a single entry ticket.

Fondest memory: in small blue home # 22 (just 1 room about 6 sq m !!! ) Franz Kafka used to work in 1916-1917.

Prazsky Hrad Prague Castle Review

Favorite thing: Despite many wars and fires, Prague Castle has grown into a unique architectural complex, the largest of its kind in Europe.
A visit to this medieval castle is a must for all visitors to Prague. It contains the Gothic Saint Vitus Cathedral (the most recognised landmark in Prague), a monastery, several towers, St. George's Basilica, palaces and Golden Lane.
Prague Castle was established during the 9th century, with a Romanesque palace erected during the 12th century. In the 14th century, under the reign of Charles IV, it was rebuilt to Gothic style. A further reconstruction of the Royal Palace then took place under the Jagellons at the end of the 15th century. The builder, Benedikt Rejt, also added the now famous Vladislav Hall.

Fondest memory: The castle underwent further works during the 16th century, mainly due to a big fire in 1541. The Spanish Hall, a new section of the castle, was added during the reign of Rudolf II, and took its final form in the time of Empress Maria Theresa - under the direction of the architect M. Pacassi.
After World War I, the interior and gardens of Prague Castle were renovated by the architect J. Plecnik.
Today, Prague Castle is the seat of the President of the Czech Republic, and serves as the historical and political centre of both city and state.

Pinkasova synagoga

Favorite thing: Pinkas Synagogue.

Memorial to commemorate 77 297 victims of nazi genocide. Children drawings from Terezin concentration camp.

Originally dating back to the 13th century, its present appearance is mainly the result of a vast redevelopment undertaken between 1893-1913. Only the few most significant buildings were saved, living testimony of the history of Prague Jews, spanning many centuries. Yet these buildings form the best present complex of Jewish historical monuments in the whole of Europe. Six synagogues remain from this old settlement, which includes the Jewish Town Hall and the Old Jewish Cemetery - the most remarkable in Europe, along with the Old-New Synagogue. They are all part of the Jewish Museum.
Old-New Synagogue
The oldest preserved synagogue in Central Europe, it was built in early gothic style in the late 13th century and is richly adorned by stonework. All interior furnishings (i.e.: gothic wrought-iron grill, wrought chandeliers) are of ancient origin. Up until now it has served as a house of prayer and the main synagogue of Prague's Jewish community.

Fondest memory: For most of its history Prague had been a multiethnic city with important Czech, German, and (a mostly Yiddish- and/ or German-speaking) Jewish populations. From 1939, when the country was occupied by Nazi Germany, and during World War II, most Jews either fled the city or were killed in the Holocaust.

Siroca 3, Prague 1

http://www.jewishmuseum.cz/