"Prague" a Prague Travel Page by tophat30

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Charles Bridge

Central Prague is split in five areas. Mala Strana – Little quarter, Prazky Hrad –Prague Castle, Josefov – Jewish Quarter, Stare Mesto – Old town and Nove Mesto –the New Town. The hotel we were staying in was a bit far from the center, but we used a lot the underground system, as it was near the hotel, liable and cheap. The best part of the new town was ‘Winceslas Square’. Nearest underground stop is ‘Museum’. At the head of the “Square” which looks more like a boulevard is the ‘National Museum’. You can’t miss the statue of ‘St Winceslas’ and a bit further down another monument for the victims of communism. At the end of this boulevard, which is about ½ a kilometer, you’ll enter the Old Town. Only meters from the New town, and you’ll feel centuries back in time. Narrow winding streets, shops selling “Bohemian Crystal” and underground medieval restaurants. Nice Square packed with cafés. The man attractions in the square are the ‘Astronomical clock’ at the side of the ‘Old Town Hall Tower’. The astronomical clock is nice to admire but not worth the hassle to wait for the top of the hour chimes. Dominating the square, you can see the high gothic steeples of ‘Our Lady of Tyn Church’. As you approach the church you’ll find that building is surrounding it, and there’s no front entrance. Heard that the Germans blocked the church’s façade on purpose. Don’t miss the ‘Jan Hus Monument’ also in the Old Town Square. On the east side of the Old Town you reach the Landmark of Prague – The Charles Bridge – which connects the Old town and the Little Quarter (Which ironically is the second largest area of central Prague). Charles Bridge is decorated with 30 Religious statues. Most of the statues are replicas of the originals. Two huge bridge towers compliment this work of art. And as a bridge of art, you can expect a lot of artists showing off and selling their paintings. One of the statues is said to bring good luck to whoever touches it. Forgot which one it was, as I don’t believe in lucky charms. If you want to find it follow the crowd till you see a polished icon beneath a statue. One of the attractions we saw in the ‘Little Quarter’ was the church of ‘Our Lady Victorious’. This baroque church has nothing in particular to see, except the world famous ‘The Holy Infant of Prague’. In this niche there’s a child statue representing Infant Jesus who’s elaborate fine clothes are changed everyday of the year. Further down this church halfway to Charles Bridge, we passed the ‘Lennon Wall’ (See my Off the beaten path tip for directions), the ‘Maltese Square’ and the ‘Grand Priory Square’. Later we entered the ‘Scorpions and Spider Museum’ and the ‘Museum of Torture’ which is in the same building. (See my off the beaten path for details) We also took the ‘Vltava River Cruise’.

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Charles Bridge

Bordering the Little Quarter there’s the most interesting area of Prague. A charm!! Prazky Hrad A Hradcany – Prague Castle. Allow at least a full day to visit this area. If you’re fit I suggest that you stop at ‘Malastranska metro station’ and walk up the old castle steps. As soon as you enter the castle gates you’re in for a whole fantastic day to explore. First courtyard, the ‘Well of Knives’. Palace entrance and there you see it. St.Vitus Cathedral – A Masterpiece. Took 600 years to complete. Skyscraping spires, gargoyles, ‘The Rose Window’, stained glass… you name it – St Vitus. Every time I remember my holiday in Prague, I picture myself this magnificent Cathedral. To top up the visit, make sure you climb the 285 steps to the Bell Tower. Up there you can witness the best panoramic view of Prague and the elaborate work of the Clock mechanism. Back down to where passers bye seemed like ants, we passed the ‘Obelisk’, and visited the ‘Powder Tower’, the ‘National Museum’ inside the ‘Lobkowicz Palace’, ‘St George’s Basilica’ and the ‘Golden Lane’. At the end of the Golden Lane (which is not Golden) we entered a building, which displays medieval era clothes and armory. There you can look out from the “arrow windows” or try out a sort of archery competition (inside not through the windows). Appropriate Medieval music enhanced the spirit of all visiting tourists. If you’re a ‘Chess pieces collectionist’ there’s much to see in the Golden Lane. On other free days we had in Prague we visited the Vietnamese Market, the Zoo, and the Kisikova fountain.