Our Lady Before Tyn and other Prague, Czech Republic Things to Do Tips

I had seen many pictures of this church while doing my research for the trip to Prague. However I was not prepared for its over powering presence. I thought it would be just another of many beautiful churches I have seen while traveling. But from my arrival until the time I left this church kept haunting me. I found it so much more beautiful than any pictures had revealed. And each day I kept finding myself drawn within its shadows. I have many pictures of Our Lady Before Tyn. I think I must have taken pictures of it each day. And I kept telling myself "You already have pictures of this church. Move on." But instead I returned everyday to view it once more.

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Phone: +420 222318186
Address: Tynsky chram.
Directions: Near Old-Town Square.
Website: http://tynska.farnost.cz/index_en.html

Here is another view of Our Lady Before Tyn. I took this photo from the top of the Old Town Tower. Jan Hus' followers were responsible for the building of Our Lady Before Tyn. It was built in the 15th century. It has several names that it is recognized by: Our Lady Before Tyn, The Church of the Virgin Mary before Tyn. The Tyn Church. The church itself played a vital role in the reformation in Bohemia. It was the most important church of the Hussites in the 16th century. In the evenings the entire church has lights shining on it giving it almost an enchanted glow. I believe I was drawn to it as many times in the evening as I was during the day light hours.

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Phone: +420 222318186
Address: Tynsky chram.
Directions: Near Old-Town Square.
Website: http://tynska.farnost.cz/index_en.html

Located in the heart of the Old Town Square is the Jan Hus Memorial. Built in 1915 the memorial is in honor of the 15th century Jan Hus. Hus was the religious reformer who founded the Hussite sect. He was burned alive in 1415 after being denounced as a heretic. The statue was unveiled in 1915 for the 500th anniversary of his death. I am not positive but I believe I read that he was actually burned here near the sight where the monument rests today.

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Directions: Old-Town Square

You could literally spend an entire day in Old Town Square (Staromestsk? n?mest?). There is so much to see and do. Just standing in the middle of the square and allowing yourself to turn slowly in a circle you can begin the feel all of the history around you. St. Nicholas church is located in Old Town Square. The current church was completed in 1735.

While I was in Prague there were nightly classical concerts conducted in this church. Tickets were available at the church during the day. There were also street vendors walking through the tourist area offering tickets for the concerts.

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Directions: Old-Town Square

One of Pragues most famous sights is the Astronomical Clock in the Old Town Square. There are many legends and stories about the astronomical clock. Some are true and some are doubtful. The original construction of the clock was in 1410. The clock has undergone repairs and additions over the years. It was severly damaged by Nazi fire during World War II. The Nazi's completely burned the Town Hall and almost totally destroyed the clock. It was restored to its current condition by the citizens of Prague after the war.

Everytime the clock has been repaired or renovated there have been new additions added to it. Originally the clock had no moving statues or characters, which attract the crowds today. It was built strictly for its astronomical data.

It is definatly something to see. But I could not understand all of the excitement by the crowds of tourists that gather each hour for its display. I took my turn one afternoon like all tourists and came away less than inpressed. The clock itself is a marvel. The hourly display is a let down.

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Address: Starometska radnice, Starometske namesti.
Directions: Old-Town Square

I have read many resources that say the Old Town Tower dominates the Old Town Square in Prague. Although I do not agree completely with that statement, I do agree its one of the major sights to see. The tower has a 230 foot spire. The Astronomical Clock is attached to the side of the tower. The tower dates back to the 14th century although it was almost completely destroyed by Nazi fire during World War II.

There is an observation area on top of the tower that allows you great views of Old Town Square and its crowds below. There is an admission price for the tower. The ticket office is on the third floor of the building connected to the tower. But that is the end of your climbing. There is an elevator to the top of the tower. So buy your ticket, grab your camera, and get ready for some great moments to remember.

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Address: Starometska radnice, Starometske namesti.
Directions: Old-Town Square

Wenceslas Square is the main street of Prague's commercial center. It is lined with hotels, shops, and restaurants. I really have mixed feelings about Wenceslas Square. There is much to see there but some of it is a little on the seedy side. You go from Casino's and clubs with dancing girls to fancy hotels and restaurants. We had one meal at a restaurant on Wenceslas Square and it was probably the worst meal we had in Prague. It was nice to visit and see the monument but not someplace I would spend a great deal of time unless you wanted to do some major shopping.

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Address: Vaclavske namesti
Directions: Metro line C station Narodni muzeum or line A station Mustek.
Website: http://www.vaclavak.cz/

Wenceslas Square is the main street in Prague's commercial district. Lined with hotels, casino's, restaurants and clubs with dancing girls the square gives many different images. The huge statue of St. Wenceslas is located at the top of hill on Wenceslas Square. Wenceslas was the assassinated tenth century Duke of Bohemia. He is now considered one of the symbols of Czech nationalism.

The statue of Wenceslas was created by the artist J.V. Myslbek. It was started in 1884 and completely 36 years later.

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Address: Vaclavske namesti
Directions: Metro line C station Narodni muzeum or line A station Mustek.
Website: http://www.vaclavak.cz/

Just a few meters in front of the St. Wenceslas statue is this memorial. It would be very easy to miss this one if you are not aware of it. This memorial is dedicated to those who were killed during the Communist period in Prague. Included on the plaque is a picture of Jan Palach, who at the age of 20, set filre to himself in January 1969 to protest the Soviet invasion of his country. There were over 800,000 people who came to his funeral. Wenceslas Square has been the scene of many protests and demonstrations.

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Address: Vaclavske namesti
Directions: Metro line C station Narodni muzeum or line A station Mustek.
Website: http://www.vaclavak.cz/

One of the more controversial buildings in Prague is the "Dancing Building" also known as "Fred and Ginger". Designed by the California archetict Frank O. Gehry. It seems out of place at first. Prague is one of the few cities in eastern Europe to have escaped World War II with minimal damage. So this modern building almost stands alone amid the many historical buildings in Prague.

There is a lot of fascinating information about this building on the internet. So it pays to research it and read about it. It is designed in the tradition of deconstructive acrhitecture. The building is situated on a site where American bombs accidently destoryed a building at the end of World War II. When first looking at the building the left side seems to have been crushed thus recreating a allusion to the effects of the violence from the bombs. And yet at the same time it appears to be whimsical and dancing. I found it fascinating and yet somewhat out of place. But like Our Lady Before Tyn, this building also kept haunting me and I felt myself drawn to it on several occasions. Upon returning home I found that I had taken way too many pictures of this building. But then again that was the effect it had upon me.

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Address: Tancici dum, Rasinovo nabrezi, Praha 2
Directions: Walk from National Theatre along river to south.