What to see in Prague, Czech Republic
The golden city is without doubt one of the most beautiful cities in the world, and if you are planning your trip to Prague you will surely want to know which places of interest you cannot miss.
Old Town
First of all, the Old Town Square or Staromestské náměstí. Right in the very centre, in the middle of a tangle of streets, is the most beautiful square in Central Europe. If you have time, do not hesitate to get lost in the little streets. Enjoy the city's most emblematic shops and bars. And once in the square you will see the Astronomical Clock, a unique clock with an incredible legend; you cannot leave Prague without seeing it.
Opposite the clock is the Old Town Hall of Prague, from whose terrace there are fabulous views of the Old Town. Also, if we cross the square we will find the Church of Our Lady before Týn. Although we will only be able to go in if we find the entrance. It is also known as "the enclosed church" because it is hemmed in by houses. A clue: you have to pass under the arches of the houses that surround it, now turned into restaurants.
From the square itself we can take a free tour in Spanish. The free tours are guided tours of the city where we only pay what we feel like, and where we can enjoy an endless supply of stories, legends, monuments and points of interest. On most tours (there are several companies with a Spanish-language service), you will be able to enjoy the Old Town and the Jewish Quarter or Josefov, where most of the synagogues are; to finish, usually near the New Town, in Wenceslas Square, where the Czechoslovaks showed their keys in 1989 to win their freedom during the Velvet Revolution.
New Town
Wenceslas Square is headed at its upper end by the National Museum, where entry will be free until the end of the year, a visit worth making if you are coming for several days.
Also, the statue of Wenceslas, on his horse, stands right in front of the museum looking down, which gives a stately touch to the longest square in Europe, located in Nové Město, or the New Town.
Another of the biggest squares is Karlovo náměstí or Charles Square. Founded by Charles IV in 1348, it brings together some emblematic buildings such as the New Town Hall, built in the time of Charles IV, and the Mladotovský Palace (or Faust House). The early Baroque Church of St Ignatius and the Neo-Renaissance building of the Czech Technical University also stand out. Most of the space in the square is taken up by a park with 7 sculptures and a Baroque fountain.
If we walk from there towards the river, we will very likely arrive at what is known as the "Dancing House" or Tančící dům, from the late 20th century, which contrasts sharply with the modern
residential buildings facing the Vltava, or Moldau, as it is known in Spanish.
Practically all along the city, the course of the river is beautiful and worth following. On the way towards the centre from the Dancing House, we can find the National Theatre, from the 19th century.
If we continue from this lovely building northwards along the river, we will soon come upon the Charles Bridge or Karlův most. It was built on the orders of Charles IV, whose sculpture stands in front of the bridge tower, on one of the sides, opposite the Church of St Saviour. For the construction of the bridge, which began in 1357 and was completed in 1402, eggshells were used to enrich the mortar. To fund the work, tolls were charged, a task initially carried out by the religious order of the Knights of the Cross with the Red Star, and later by the municipality of the Old Town, until 1815.
Today, Charles Bridge has 30 statues, most of them Baroque, sculpted between the 17th and 18th centuries. However, in 1965 the statues were replaced by replicas and the originals were deposited in the National Theatre. The views of the castle, and of the whole city, from the bridge are unbeatable. It is extraordinarily beautiful, and for that reason it is one of the most walked-over bridges in the world.
Malá Strana
After crossing the bridge from the Old Town we come to the District of Malá Strana or the Lesser Side, where, among other impressive monuments, the Castle stands. We could dedicate a whole article to it, as visiting it is the most essential of all the places in Prague. The visit to the Castle can take us several hours, since it contains: the majestic St Vitus Cathedral, the Royal Palace, the St George's Basilica, the Golden Lane or the Old Stables, among others. Golden Lane, with its picturesque little coloured houses where even Kafka lived at one point.
To go inside the cathedral, into the vestibule, you do not need to pay an entrance fee; however, we recommend buying a ticket because for 250 Kc, about 10 euros, we get access to the Cathedral, St George's Basilica, Golden Lane and the Royal Palace (half price for students and pensioners).
For the more Catholic, another essential visit is the Church of Our Lady Victorious, in Malá Strana, where the figure of the Infant Jesus of Prague given by the Spanish to the city of Prague, is found.
A good option for lunch may be the Vinohrady district, where I would personally recommend a visit to Náměstí Míru, the central square of the district, where the Neo-Gothic Church of St Ludmila, built in the 19th century, is located.
Charming viewpoints
However, we must not confuse Vinohrady with Vyšehrad, another of Prague's monuments and a highly recommended visit for lovers of castles, fortresses and churches. Vyšehrad means Castle on High and sits on a small hill beside the Vltava river. It was built in the 10th century and is considered one of the origins of the city of Prague, ideal for getting away a little from the crowds of tourists and enjoying one of the most wonderful views of the city.
Lovely views too, but from the other side of the river, are those offered by the wonderful Petrin Tower, on a hill above the districts of Malá Strana and Smíchov. You can go up on the legendary Petrin funicular. The price is 24kc, like any ticket for the city's public transport, for a duration of half an hour.
Prague is a city to explore on foot, and it also has one of the best public transport systems in the world. Visit the city of a hundred towers, you will not regret it.
