Prague Things to Do Tips by mrclay2000

Lights! Camera! Action! Church of Our Lady before Tyn Review

Of course it never hurts to see your lady under the right lighting. For most who wait in the Old Town Square for twilight, hoping to get that early evening shot, the lights on the twin spires lag the general illumination by well over an hour. Thus there is generally little hope of getting a good nighttime photo of Tyn with bright towers, and by day, the entrance is also obscure, being within the third archway from the left.

Karlova and Krizovnicke Square The Royal Route Review

This view depicts some of the central tourist destinations in Prague. The cream-colored church is St Salvator with its ivory-like interior, part of the Klementinum. The street below to the right is Karlova, part of the royal route (and pictured from the bridge tower). Not too far down this street you'll find the torture museums and puppet theaters, and on the left side (also part of the Klementinum) is gorgeous St Clement, often closed, but of exquisite workmanship throughout its bright but small interior. The famous statue of Charles IV, who did so much to elevate Prague, stands in the square below.

Charles Bridge Charles Bridge Review

The Charles Bridge is the most heavily traveled strip of real estate in Prague, binding the Stare Mesto or Old Town to the Castle district (Hradcany). There are just under three dozen statues along the bridge in various styles and quality, and a single statue of Roland and his sword on a freestanding pediment a little away from the bridge. Along its length you can see how the bridge is warped from a straight line, which along with its cobblestone surface adds a medieval kind of charm. Unfortunately, the modern bridge is a little different. Hawkers and artists crowd this thoroughfare by day and almost outnumber the tourists, but the scenes from here, and indeed the bridge itself, is well worth the pains of navigation through so many stands of art, also of varying style and quality. As you will readily perceive from the art available here, the Charles Bridge is also the most painted and photographed feature in the city.

Directions: central Prague, links Stare Mesto and Hradcany

(Castle Hill) If You Exit West Loretto Review

If you take Castle Hill to its westernmost extension (by now you will have seen the twin domes of the Strahov Monastery), you'll pass the Loreto shrine and Cerninsky Palace. Inside Loreto you'll find much to marvel about, but sadly too much to remember -- photography is strictly forbidden. The world famous collections of chalices and monstrances is guarded at all times.

Address: Loretánské námìsti 7, Praha 1, Hradcany

Directions: western end of Castle Hill

Other Contact: Hrs 9A-12.15P & 1P-4.30P Tue-Sun

Phone: 2 2051 6740

If One Window Was Not Enough St Vitus's Cathedral Review

Like Notre Dame in Paris, the exquisite workmanship in St Vitus is most striking in its exterior detail. The windows tell only part of the tale.

The Skin of St Vitus St Vitus's Cathedral Review

If not already apparent, St Vitus is Gothic to the core. Before entering the often chilly interior, examine the outer fleches, the spires, the niches and the tracery in its rose window. Such intricacy in its smallest details fully explains why centuries of work were required in completing a scheme of such magnitude.

Wenceslas Square Wenceslas Square Review

Wenceslas Square is ringed with modern buildings, hotels, theaters and the national museum. At the top of the square (which is really a long oval), King Wenceslas sits atop his bronze steed on a gentle sloping incline. Famous for its restless activity, the square loses a great deal of its peacefulness and intimacy by the very press of its foot and automobile traffic.

The Astronomical Clock Sets the Tourists' Watch Old-Town Hall & Astronomical Clock Review

This clock was built around 1500 and then its maker, in order to prevent copies of the new marvel, was promptly disabled or blinded. Today's visitors frequently gather about the clock at the top of every hour morning to midnight, waiting for the icons to toggle through their dumb ditties, watching for the parade of Apostles in the upper window, listening to Death chime his bell, and finally awaiting the cuckoo who signals that the show is over. There isn't much to tell about the clock other than it keeps very good time, but after one showing, you'll likely question why you keep reappearing to witness the medieval mechanics over and over.

Directions: Old Town Square

Drifting Away from Medievalism

North of St Vitus you'll eventually discover a large walled garden suitable for the royal eye, but more quickly than ever you return to present-day Prague. A few taverns seem to line the way back to the major roads and the return of modern civilization. One need only glance back over one's shoulder to see the great cathedral of St Vitus paired with the medieval Mihulka tower. From the vantage point of the photograph, the city walls begin their descent of Petrin hill just a few blocks away to the west (rightward, in the photo).

Castle Hill - Letter of Introduction Castle Review

There are many approaches to St Vitus and the Hrad. You can sneak up to the cathedral from the backside (the east) or enter officially through the Matthias Gate on the west, where the guards watch over the federal government buildings. Entrants will pass through a series of courtyards before confronting the great cathedral.

Address: Praha 1, Hradcany