The City of a Hundred Spires is a popular tourist destination, with over 4,5 million visitors annually. It ranked fifth on the Tripadvisor word list of best destinations in 2014 and it is the most visited European city after London, Paris, Istanbul and Rome. This magnetism can be a problem especially if you make the mistake (as I did!) of going there on Catholic Easter, when apparently everyone decides is a good time to visit Prague!
Because many of its landmarks miraculously survived the tumultuous European history, Prague houses nowadays one of the world’s most varied collections of architecture, from Romanesque, Gothic, Renaissance, Baroque, Rococo, Neo-Renaissance, Neo-Gothic, Art Nouveau to Cubist, Neo-Classical, and ultra-modern.
More than ten major museums, along with numerous theatres, galleries, cinemas, and historical monuments as the Prague Castle, the Charles Bridge, Old Town Square, the astronomical clock, and the Jewish Quarter turned the city into a must-see place for any travel addict. Since 1992, the historic centre of Prague has been included in the UNESCO list of World Heritage Sites.
The Prague Castle
Dating back to the ninth century, the Prague Castle is the largest ancient castle in the world. Historically the residence of princes and kings of Bohemia, since 1918 the Castle has been the seat of the president. Evolving through the past eleven centuries, it is now a monumental ecclesiastical complex, housing:
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St. Vitus Cathedral. The construction of this beautiful Gothic cathedral, the spiritual symbol of the Czech State, lasted nearly 600 years and was completed in 1926. It encloses the tombs of Bohemian kings and the coronation jewels.
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The Old Royal Palace. Built on the ruins of a Romanesque palace, it has served as a residence of Bohemian kings and it is now the scene of presidential elections and representative events.
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Golden Lane. The street built within the fortifications walls houses the homes of Castle riflemen and craftsmen. Franz Kafka used to work in No. 22.
Charles Bridge
The oldest bridge in Prague (1357) was built in the place of Judith Bridge, damaged by a flood in 1342. Both ends of the 515 metres long bridge are fortified with towers (The Lesser Town Bridge Towers and The Old Town Bridge Tower) and there are 30 statues or groups of statues set on its piers.
Old Town Square
It all happens here in the old 12th century square that houses the Old Town Hall with The Astronomical Clock, the Church of Our Lady Before Tyn, St. Nicholas` Church, the Kinsky Palace and the House of Stone Bell.
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Church of Our Lady Before Tyn
The most impressive Gothic building in Prague was built between 14th and 16th centuries and the interior was redone in Baroque style in 17th century. It is richly decorated and includes valuable paintings. I was lucky enough to attend the Easter mass when I visited and I was surprise it is still held in Latin.
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The Astronomical Clock
The Prague astronomical clock was first installed in 1410, making it the third-oldest astronomical clock in the world. Nowadays, it is the oldest one still working and visitors gather daily to see the 12 apostles appear hourly between 9 a.m. and 9 p.m. the clock also includes a round calendarium with zodiacal signs.
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