Prague, one of Europe's best-preserved cities, owes this to not suffering any damage in World War II. It's said that even Hitler "couldn't bring himself" to harm this beautiful city. So in that war, in which many countries were torn apart, Prague has come down to the present day untouched. When you go, in some buildings you feel the effect of the war so deeply that it gives you goosebumps.
That's why, when it comes to places to visit, Prague is at the top of Central Europe's richest cities. In Prague, home to many historic buildings and one of the most beautiful medieval cities, there are dozens of places that still keep the magic of those days. This city, with the Vltava River running through its middle, offers travellers Europe's most enjoyable travel option with its bridges, canals, mystical air, architectural works and medieval works.
1. OLD TOWN SQUARE - STARÉ MĚSTO
Throughout your Prague trip you'll often hear the name of this square. Because Prague's old town square is Prague's oldest, most famous and most central square.
Prague Old Town Square
Otherwise known as Staroměstské náměstí, we can say it's in the heart of Prague, in the Old Town. Whatever Sultanahmet Square is in Istanbul, this square has similar importance in Prague. The area, which also has the Astronomical Clock and the Old and New Town Halls, is full of churches and houses whose history goes back to the 13th century. Around it there are many cafés and restaurants and entertaining street performers. For such a central place the prices aren't bad, but it's still worth moving a bit further from this area to eat.
There's all kinds of entertainment on the square
2. THE ASTRONOMICAL CLOCK TOWER
Another rare piece of our must-see series on Old Town Square is, of course, the Astronomical Clock Tower. This clock, made in 1410, besides being the symbol of the city, is the only astronomical clock in the world still in working order. By climbing to the top of the building you can take a lovely look at Prague, and you can also catch very beautiful photo shots.
Prague Astronomical Clock Tower
Summer or winter, you'll see a dense crowd of tourists waiting right below this clock. The reason is that on the hour the clock puts on an unusual show. In these shows, lasting 1 minute, the symbols on the clock move and different figures appear. In Prague, where it rains constantly, don't be surprised if you see a crowd of tourists waiting for minutes for this show in heavy rain.
There's a visual show at certain times
Note: The Astronomical Clock Tower is open to visitors every day between 10.00– 18.00. A full ticket is 110 and a discounted ticket 70 Czech Koruna.3. CHARLES BRIDGE – KARL BRIDGE - KARLŮV MOST
Karl Bridge, whose original name is Prague's Charles Bridge, is a very beautiful structure at the top of the places to visit in Prague. Karl Bridge is the oldest bridge in Prague. The bridge spans the Vltava river. Karl Bridge has 16 piers.
The famous Charles Bridge
Karl Bridge, which almost all the tourists who come to see Prague love, is built in Gothic style and is a really very beautiful bridge that's a pleasure to walk. I especially recommend going to this bridge in the evening too. Because walking on the bridge in the evening is really very enjoyable. It's also a perfect choice for unique photos. Once again, the lovely musicians and painters of this art-filled city accompany your walk:) Besides the bridge's own beauty, don't skip enjoying its lovely view. The bridge being closed to vehicle traffic will add to the pleasure of your walk.The Story of Prague's Karl Bridge
In the 10th century there was a simple wooden bridge where Karl Bridge stands today. But over time the bridge began to wear out, and the latest floods made the bridge completely unusable. So in 1170 King Vladislav had this wooden bridge torn down and a stone bridge built in its place. But the floods that came one after another in the city damaged this bridge too, and the bridge was completely destroyed after a flood in 1342. In the 14th century today's Karl Bridge was built on the same spot by Charles. The bridge was built 515 metres long and 9.5 metres wide. This bridge too was seriously damaged in many floods.Karl Bridge is one of the most beautiful of the structures in Prague, and indeed tourist interest is very high. So when you go to see the bridge, you may not fully enjoy it because of the crowds of tourists. So it's worth choosing hours when tourists won't be too many to walk this historic and unique bridge.
Getting there: You can get off at Malostranské with one of buses 12, 20 or 22 and then walk to Mostecká.
4. TÝN CHURCH - KOSTEL MATKY BOŽÍ PŘED TÝNEM
The Gothic-style Týn Church is another of the most eye-catching buildings on Prague's Old Town Square. This church is known for the Jesuits melting down the Golden Chalice and making the Madonna figure. The imposing church also stands out as the most showy Gothic building in the city. Inside the church, black and gold have mainly been used. The pulpit and the altar in the north aisle date from the 15th century. Behind the pulpit there's an altar from 1520 depicting John the Baptist.
Týn Church
Note: It can be visited every day between 10.00 – 13.00 & 15.00 – 17.00. Entry is free.5. WENCESLAS SQUARE
The square is a very important and interesting tourist site. Wenceslas Square, with its own crowds by day, takes on a completely different air after dark. As it gets dark, the restaurants, cafés and cinemas on the square come very much alive. Most of the bustle is made up of tourists. Many historic buildings are just a few steps from the square.
Wenceslas Square
The Story of Prague's Wenceslas Square
In the Middle Ages Prague's Wenceslas Square was used as a horse market. The square is 750 metres long and 60 metres wide. Having witnessed very important events in Czech history gives the square a special sense of history. One of the historic events that took place on the square is the velvet revolution. That is, in 1989 the people, fed up with police violence, held lots of protests on this square, and this led, with the velvet revolution, to the end of communism in Czechoslovakia. The square is also home to the national museum, a museum you might want to visit.Getting there: You can get here from the LineA-LineB Můstek and LineC Muzeum metro stations, or by one of buses 3, 9, 14 or 24.
6. THE NATIONAL MUSEUM
The National Museum, one of the city's historical resources, is on Wenceslas Square. The museum building, completed in 1890, has Neo-Renaissance architectural influences. In the National Museum, which also has temporary exhibitions, you can see collections themed on mineralogy, archaeology and natural history. The museum is closed to visitors for a while because of renovation work.
The National Museum
Note: The National Museum can be visited every day between 10.00–18.00 at Vinohradská No:1.Getting there: You can get here using LineC from Muzeum station.
7. PRAGUE MUNICIPAL HOUSE
The Prague Municipal House, built between 1383 – 1485, is one of the best examples of Art Nouveau. The building, used throughout history as a military school and a faculty of theology, today houses concert and exhibition halls. If you like, you can tour the building and have something to eat and drink at the cafés and restaurants here.Note: The Prague Municipal House can be visited every day between 10.00–19.00. The entry fee varies according to the concert, exhibition or other event.
Getting there: You can get here using LineB at Náměstí Republiky station, or by one of buses 5, 8, 14 or 26.
8. THE JEWISH QUARTER – JOSEFOV
The Old Jewish Quarter, or Josefov for short, is one of Prague's oldest and most important settlement areas. Although it's not known exactly when the first Jews came to the city, the first Jewish settlements in this area are thought to have been formed in the 13th century. There are many historic buildings in the area. The Convent of St. Agnes of Bohemia, the Old New Synagogue, the Old Jewish Cemetery, the Pinkas Synagogue and the Spanish Synagogue are among the most important places you'll want to stop by here.
The Jewish Quarter
Getting there: You can reach the Jewish Quarter on foot from the Old Town.9. THE DANCING HOUSE - DANCING BUILDING
It's very special that this building, seen from outside, looks like a dancing couple. If you have a particular interest in modern architecture or unusual buildings, you can even reach it on foot from Old Town Square. You can't go inside, because it's used as offices, but I think it's worth seeing.
The Dancing House
The building, built in 1997 by Vlado Milunić and Frank Gehry, is also known as "Fred and Ginger". The idea of building the house was put forward by Vlado Milunić in the 1980s. The idea of such a modern building being built by the Vltava River among Renaissance works is interesting to almost everyone.Getting there: You can get here using tram line 17 and getting off at the Jiráskovo náměstí stop.
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