Prague Czech Republic

When the Iron Curtain was drawn back in 1989, it revealed Prague to a new generation of travellers. The Czech Republic’s capital and international showpiece, Prague is one of the most popular destinations in Eastern Europe. Its attraction lies in the physical beauty of the city with 600 years of architecture amazingly untouched by war.

The centre has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site and it demands to be explored on foot, an entire outdoor museum of history and a haphazard mixture of splendid architecture.
The city’s cultural scene also features high on the list of things to do in Prague, with classical music concerts, opera and ballet, as well as the many art galleries around the city. It is constantly adding small new museums to its summertime list, often strange but curiously interesting. This beautiful city, a ‘symphony in stone’, built along the river and on the surrounding hills, has never ceased to capture the hearts and imagination of visitors, painters, photographers and poets.

The fairy-tale beauty of Bohemia’s historical capital, locked away for 40 years by the communist regime, returned to enchant the world and became the must-go destination for European city-hoppers in the 1990s.

Perfectly preserved, untouched by development and now benefiting from a free economy buoyed by the traveller’s pound, Prague combines a lively, youthful energy with one of the most historic and atmospheric settings in the world.

Locality:

The capital of the Czech Republic since 1993, Prague lies on the banks of the Vltava River, its mediaeval centre dominated by the 1100-year-old castle of Prazsky hrad.
Prague Castle Prince Borivoj founded Slavonic Fortress Prague – predecessor of today Prague Castle, in 9th century. In the 12th century the Prague castle was re-built to stone Romanesque castle, which contained Church of Our Lady, Episcopal building with chapel of Saint Moritz, rotunda of Saint Vitus, Saint George’s Basilica with monastery and Royal palace.

Prague is a beautiful, sensuous city. This stunning capital of the Czech Republic has become increasingly popular with tourists, and now easily rates among Europe’s most romantic city-break destinations. Its architecture is remarkably diverse and much of it was miraculously undamaged by World War II. Thus, intriguing architectural details and façades can be found on every corner, which makes strolling through Prague’s winding, cobbled streets wonderfully intoxicating.

Some of the best views over Prague are from the famous Charles Bridge – the spot visitors generally remember most after a visit to Prague. Built in the 14th Century and lined on both sides with intriguing black statues, it offers splendid views out over the river and up toward the Castle (especially at night when the castle is floodlit), as well as towards the Mala Strana, the Stare Mesto and the Nove Mesto. Serving as one of the city’s focal points, the bridge always has plenty to amuse, from street performers to students strumming guitars.

Stare Mesto (the Old Town) is full of drinking establishments, cinemas and galleries. It’s a very disorienting area but there are certain landmarks to head for, such as the Old Town Square . The square is home to the 500-year-old Astronomical Clock (the figures of the apostles that pop in and out of it on the stroke of each hour are a popular sight with tourists), the Old Town Hall , partly destroyed by the Nazis in 1945, and the lovely Church of St. Nicholas.