This magical city of bridges, cathedrals, gold-tipped towers and church domes, has been mirrored in the surface of the swan-filled Vltava River for more than ten centuries. Almost undamaged by WWII, Prague's medieval centre remains a wonderful mixture of cobbled lanes, walled courtyards, cathedrals and countless church spires all in the shadow of her majestic 9th century castle that looks eastward as the sun sets behind her. Prague is also a modern and vibrant city full of energy, music, cultural art, fine dining and special events catering to the independent traveller's thirst for adventure.
It is regarded by many as one of Europe's most charming and beautiful cities, Prague has become the most popular travel destination in Central Europe along with Bratislava and Krakow. Millions of tourists visit the city every year.
Prague has been a political, cultural, and economic centre of central Europe with waxing and waning fortunes during its 1,100-year existence. Founded during the Romanesque and flourishing by the Gothic and Renaissance eras, Prague was not only the capital of the Czech state, but also the seat of two Holy Roman Emperors and thus also the capital of the Holy Roman Empire. It was an important city to the Habsburg Monarchy and its Austro-Hungarian Empire and after World War I became the capital of Czechoslovakia. The city played major roles in the Protestant Reformation, the Thirty Years' War, and in 20th-century history, during both World Wars and the post-war Communist era.
Prague is home to a number of famous cultural attractions, many of which survived the violence and destruction of 20th-century Europe. Main attractions include the Prague Castle, the Charles Bridge, Old Town Square, the Jewish Quarter, the Lennon Wall and Petřín hill. Since 1992, the extensive historic centre of Prague has been included in the UNESCO list of World Heritage Sites.
THINGS TO DO IN PRAGUE:
The city boasts more than ten major museums, along with numerous theatres, galleries, cinemas, and other historical exhibits. A modern public transportation system connects the city. Also, it is home to a wide range of public and private schools, including Charles University. Prague is classified as a Beta+ global city according to GaWC studies, comparable to Berlin, Rome and Houston. Its rich history makes it a popular tourist destination, and the city receives more than 4.4 million international visitors annually, as of 2011. In 2011, Prague was the sixth-most-visited city in Europe.
Look up as you're walking through Prague's medieval warrens and saints, gods and gargoyles will be looking back at you. Nowhere are the displays more lively than in Staré Mêsto. One on Charles Bridge depicts the famously lusty St Roc, just after his testicles had been bitten off by a dog sent by God. Others include a sceptical-looking Czech prophetess-queen, puppets, Kafka, and the Angel of Death.
The Czechs regard their locally produced beers as a national treasure. 'If Czech beer is the best in the world,' ask many visitors to Prague, ‘what’s the best beer in the Czech Republic? The answer isn’t as straightforward as you might hope or expect. The most popular beer here is Gambrinus. However, it’s not universally recognised as the best. Kozel’s Medium, a pale lager, won the prize for the best Czech beer at the Research Institute of Brewing & Malting awards in 2008. Many locals, meanwhile, claim that Pilsner Urquell is the best of the bunch, with Czechs from Pilsen insisting that the water quality in their home city means that their pilsner is superior to those produced anywhere else in the country.
Political anthem-mongerers Lucie, ska masters Sto Zvirat and Moravian folk rockers Cechomor are some of Prague's better-known local musical talents, but there are plenty more where they came from. Catch local acts in beautiful art deco theatre Akropolis which hosts avant-garde, indie and world bands. Jazz acts, blues bands play weekdays in the Lucerna Music Bar and Vagon stages fresh unrecorded rock, jam nights and reggae.
Prague Castle dominates the city’s skyline, its jumble of styles and influences perfectly illustrating the shifting demands of its occupants and conquerors over the last millennium. At the centre of the castle, its dramatic Gothic spires and flying buttresses visible from everywhere in town, is the imposing St Vitus’s Cathedral; even the most jaded of visitors will be given pause by its grandeur. Other highlights within the castle complex include the Old Royal Palace, which has excellent historic and architectural displays; Basiica of St George; the Lobkowicz Palace, which now has a fully fledged museum, with the city's best restaurant vistas; and Villa Richter, the scene of many cultural events, including Jazz at the Castle (www.jazznahrade.cz).
