At the horse's tail

At the top of Wenceslas Square is the statue of St. Wenceslas with four patrons of Bohemia (St. Prokop, St. Adalbert, St. Ludmila and St. Agnes) by Josef Václav Myslbek.

St Wenceslas was a Czech King propagating Christianity. He ruled over Prague in the 10th century, until his brother had him killed.

Directions: top of Wenceslas Square

Website: http://www.prague.net/wenceslas-square

At The Three Fiddles

This used to be the home of the violin-makers, the Edlingers. They were so successful that they exported their products abroad.

It’s said that during the full moon you can still hear mysterious tones of violins.

Address: Nerudova 12, Mala Strana

The heart of Prague

This square looks more like a boulevard, because it’s 60m wide and 750m long. It’s packed with hotels, boutiques, fashion stores, cinemas, theatres and night clubs.

The square has witnessed a lot of most important political events, such as the demonstrations in the 1960s. This is where you can find the monuments to the victims of communism, including Jan Parlah who set himself on fire in 1969 when the country was occupied.

Address: Vaclavske namesti (Wenceslas Square)

Directions: Metro line C station Narodni muzeum or line A station Mustek.

Website: http://www.vaclavak.cz/

At The Red Lion

This house has got a red lion holding a golden cup in his fore paw, thus the name.

It used to be the home of Petr Brandl, famous Czech painter, whose work can be seen at the Church of St Margaret in Prague-Brevnov or the Church of St James.

Address: Nerudova 41, Mala Strana

At The Two Suns

This was the home of Jan Neruda, a famous Czech poet and journalist who wrote many short stories about this Prague district.

The house sign is among the most beautiful ones.

Address: Nerudova 47, Mala Strana

Directions: upper part of the street

Charming corner

This was once the main road leading to the Castle.

It was named after the Czech poet Jan Neruda, who lived in the house At The Two Suns.

Other houses have similar names: At The Three Fiddles, At The Golden Cup, At The Golden Key, At The White Swan etc.

Address: Nerudova

Directions: From metro station Malostranska (green line A) continue by tram (no. 12, 20, 22, 23) to the next Malostranska. Nerudova street is just up the hill.

Other Contact: http://www.prague.net/nerudova-s

Website: http://www.prague-spot.com/nerudova-street

Lesser Town Square

This is the upper one of two small squares in Lesser Town. It’s surrounded by architecturally important buildings.

Plague Column

There used to be a fountain here, but in the 17th century it was replaced by Plague Column, with sculptures reproducing the Holy Trinity and the Patron Saints of Bohemia by Geiger and Mayer.

Website: http://www.pragueexperience.com/places.asp?PlaceID=663

Little Quarter

Lesser Town (Mala Strana) is a very interesting part of Prague, situated below Prague Castle with famous Neruda street, St. Nicholas Church and many other fantastic places.

a view from the Castle

It was founded in the 13th century by Premysl Otakar II, who wanted to create a home for the German colonists. At the time of Charles IV it expanded and soon the nobility and the wealthy chose this area as their permanent residence.

Charles Bridge connects it with Old Town.

Other Contact: http://www.prague-spot.com/lesse

Website: http://www.prague.cz/prague-lesser-town.asp

Picturesque Street

While at the Castle, visit the famous picturesque Golden Lane, with its 16th-century houses, now turned into museums and galleries, and the small souvenir shops.

One of the most famous residents here was Franz Kafka. You can easily find his blue house at number 22.

According to one version, King Rudolph II had the houses built for his 24 guards, while another version has it that in fact craftsmen, traders, artists and the king’s servants lived here.

As for its name, it probably got it because of the alchemists and goldsmiths who lived here in the 17th century.

One more thing – if you get to the Castle after 6p.m. you’ll be able to enter the street for free and avoid the crowds.

Address: Zlata ulicka (Golden Lane)

Directions: Prague Castle

Website: http://www.hrad.cz

The musical church

The Loretto complex was built around the 'Casa Santa' in the 17th century, and has been the place of pilgrimage ever since.


The large bell-tower contains the diamond carillon of 27 bells, aka the Prague Sun, weighing over 12 kilos and embellished with more than 6,000 diamonds.

Address: Loreta, Loretanske namesti 7.

Directions: Castle Hill (Hradcany), 5min west from Prague Castle.

Website: http://www.prague.net/the-loreto

Royal Canonry

The Monastery of the Premonstratensian Order at Strahov also consists of the Church of Our Lady and the building of Strahov Library with the 17th-century Theological Hall and the 18th-century Philosophical Hall.

The 1st monastery was founded here in the 12th century. This is where the educated and pilgrims used to come. In front of the monastery there were the guards, thus the name (‘strahovat’ = guards).

The library houses a lot of old and historically valuable manuscripts, like the 10th-century Gospel Book.

Address: Strahovksy klaster, Strahovske nadvori 1

Directions: From Prague Castle: Hradcanske namesti, Loretanska street, Pohorelec.

Website: http://www.strahovskyklaster.cz/webmagazine/home.asp?idk=257

The Toy Museum Hracek

This 16th-century building used to be the Supreme Burgrave’s House, the supreme burgrave being the highest official and deputy of the king. Its west wing is now the home of the Toy Museum, 1 of the largest of this kind in the world. Here you can see different toys, ancient or modern, wooden or tin, including a large collection of Barbie dolls.

Opening hours:
Open daily from 9:30 to 17:30

Admission fee:
60 CZK for adults, students and retired.
children under 15 enter free.

Address: Prazsky hrad, Jirská 4

Directions: You can get there from the east via the Old Castle Steps leading not far from Malostranska metro station (green line A) or from the west along St Vitus cathedral.

Phone: +420 243 722 94 / +420 243 711 1

Website: http://www.prague.net/toy-museum

St George's Convent

Next to St George's Basilica is St George’s Convent, founded in 973 as a Benedictine monastery. The building was destroyed in 1782 and reconstructed in 1976 as part of the National Gallery with the collection of early Bohemian art.


Opening hours: 10 am – 6 pm, closed on Mondays

Admission:
Full ticket: 100 CZK
Reduced ticket 50 CZK
Family ticket 150 CZK

Directions: Metro green line A to Malostranská station, Trams No. 12, 18, 22 or 23 to Prague Castle (Pražský hrad)

Phone: +420 257 531 644,+420 257 530 54

Website: http://www.prague.net/st-george-convent-building

The oldest church

St. George's Basilica is the oldest church here. It was founded in 920, but reconstructed in the 10th and 12th centuries.

It now serves as a concert hall.

Address: Bazilika sv. Jiri

Directions: Prague Castle, Malostranska (line A). Then tram 22 or 23 to Prazsky Hrad.

Website: http://www.pragueexperience.com/places.asp?PlaceID=1115

Archbishop's Palace

This elegant building has been the Archbishop’s seat since Ferdinand I bought it in the 16th century. It was built on the foundations of a Renaissance home and rebuilt several times.

A chapel with frescoes was added in 1599-1600.

Take a look at the coat of arms of Prince-Archbishop Prichovsky above which you can see a group of sculpted figures by Platzer.

Address: Prague Castle

Website: http://www.prague.net/archbishop-palace

Schwarzenberg Palace

This building with interesting decoration was built in the 16th century according to the plans of the Italian architect Galli.

Today, this is the home of the Museum of Military History, with rich collections of weapons, cannons, uniforms, medals, flags, military maps and plans of famous battles.

Address: Prague Castle

Directions: trams: 22 or 23, metro

Website: http://www.prague.net/schwarzenberg-palace

Belvedere

Ferdinand I had this remarkable building built as the summer residence for his wife Queen Anne in the 16th century. The architect was Paolo della Stella.

In its garden you can find the Singing Fountain, designed and casted by Tomáš Jaros in 1564-68. The name derives from the melody produced by the water as it hits the basin.

Exhibitions take place here.

Address: Prazsky hrad

Website: http://www.gardenvisit.com/history_theory/library_online_ebooks/ml_gothein_history_garden_art_design/belvedere_czech_republic_prague

Castle Square

This charming square, surrounded by many beautiful palaces, now galleries and museums, is in fact the entrance to the Castle.

There’s the 18th-century Plague Column in the middle of it.

Address: Prague Castle, Hradcanske Square

Directions: trams 22 or 23, metro

Hradchany

The Castle of Prague, standing on the hill over the left bank of the Vltava, was built in the 9th century.

This fortress, 1 of the largest in the world, has also been used as the royal residence, the seat of Prague’s Bishop... Nowadays, it’s the seat of the President of the Republic and historical and cultural centre of the country.

The 1st Czech monastery was founded here as well.

During its long history, the Castle’s undergone numerous reconstructions, including the enlargement after the fire in the 16th century when it was partially destroyed and the redesign after WWI.

The Changing of the Guard takes place daily every full hour.

Address: Prazsky hrad

Directions: trams 22 or 23, metro, or on foot

Website: http://old.hrad.cz/

Away from the centre

My niece and I stayed here with our group in April 2008. We were given a nice, simple, clean room, with comfortable beds, a fridge, TV and bathroom.

No 220

a room

For a charge, this 2-star hotel offers a spa centre and a gym, even to their guests. They prepare traditional Slovak dishes in the restaurant.

Unique Qualities: There's a good bus/tram connection with the old town centre and the Billa supermarket's round the corner.

Address: Liscie nivy 3, Bratislava, 821 08, Slovakia

Phone: 4212/55410390
Price: US$40-80

Directions: close to Strkovec Lake

The City Symbol

Built centuries ago and rebuilt in the 1950s on a hill some 80 metres above the Danube, the Castle gives you a chance to see a part of the city and Austria.

The Castle used to be the seat of Hungarian monarchs and the crown jewels were kept in 1 of the 4 towers - the Crown Tower, built in the 13th century.

The Castle now houses the Historical Museum, open daily, except Mondays, 9-17.

Address: Bratislavsky hrad

Phone: 02-5934 1626
Website: http://www.slovakheritage.org/Castles/bratislava.htm

other contact: www.bratislava.info/castle