thirty years ago called was a mystery to travelers and Europe now however it is
one of the most popular destinations on the continent drawing about four million
visitors each year Prague offers a compact city center a fascinating
centuries long history with splendid examples of Romanesque gothic baroque
Renaissance and Art Nouveau architecture there are also scores of palaces
churches parks and squares and fraud delicious local Czech beer and food for
reasonable prices and overview of the top tourist attractions and prod
one of the original gates into old town frogs this tower was first built in the
11th century and rebuilt in the 15th century during the 17th century the
tower was used for storing gunpowder which is where it gets its name the
royal brood the coronation route of the Bohemian kings started at the tower to
Old Town across the Charles Bridge and up to Prague Castle and Street
why does Cathedral where the Kings were ground
the municipal house is a beautifully ornate building right next to the
pekarsky palace and the powder tower in the old part of town
bohemian Kings used to rule the countryside from this art Noveau
plasticware office and plays are now held the building has a dramatic
entrance with the concave mural depicting classic works of art inside
you'll find sculptures from some of the most renowned artists of past centuries
and the building links right up to Prague's ancient city gate making for a
dramatic picture
the church of our lady before obtained traces the old town square among the
most well known attractions in Prague the church is gothic towers sore 80
metres 260 feet into the sky and can be seen from all parts of the city like
many other Prague the site's original building was an 11th century Romanesque
church built for foreign merchants who came to ten courtyard portrayed the
present church was constructed in the 14th century although the roof towers
and Gables came years later inside 10 church holds many works of art in Gothic
Baroque and Renaissance styles our lady before Taine's architects repetitive
parlor and Mathias of Arras who created many of Prague's gothic buildings
Prague is known for its centuries long span of architectural styles with the
end of the 20th century exemplified by the deconstructivist building dancing
house created by Czech architect Waldo melenik and Canadian Frank Gehry
this remarkable structure contains both dynamic and Static elements and
resembles a female dancer swaying and the arms of her male partner the Fred
Astaire and Ginger Rogers of the architectural world located on the bank
of the Vltava River and restore the street dancing house is a private office
building except for a restaurant on the seventh floor
this last which is open to the public
one of Prague's two main squares once Liz square is a shopper's paradise and
Haven set off as Prague horse market by Charles for in 1348 months Liz Square is
more of a Boulevard than a perdition as Clara located in new town and the square
is home to bars clubs restaurants hotels shops and banks making it the city's
entertainment nightlife and commercial district much of chex 20th century
history happened and when slizz square as political movements and gatherings
mad at the Statue of Street once Liz to parade down the square once Liz Square
is central to most of frog as Old Town Square and Charles Bridge are but a
five-minute walk away and all three metro lines meet and the squire once Liz
Square is home to the Grand National Museum in the Prague State Opera
on the other end of the Charles Bridge from Old Town Square lies the mala
strana or lesser town district Baroque
architecture is the rule in Wallis strana although its history dates back
to 1257 limit was founded as a rural town the Baroque Street Nicholas Church
and the extensive Wallace Stein Palace dominate the area
towering above the city is Prague Castle more of a sprawling complex than a
single defensive building the castle building spans centuries and consists of
a royal palace a cathedral and three churches a Basilica a monastery
defensive towers royal stables itani Lane where craftsmen work and
magnificent gardens Prague Castle began as a wooden fortress with earthen bull
wharfs in the 9th century by the 11th century
it included a royal palace and the 14th century saw the beginning of Street
Titus Cathedral the Cathedral and the castle complex as a jewel in Prague's
crown a superb example of Gothic architecture kings and emperors are
buried here
you can find the Old Town Hall right in the heart of Old Town broad you'll know
you've found inside the gathering crowds at the base of its gothic tower where
every hour between 9 a.m. and 11 p.m. the 12 apostles appear on the
astronomical clock the appearance only lasts a moment but the crowd will row up
with the pause for the amazing mechanical soul it's made all the more
impressive by the fact that this building was first established back in
1338 and served as the seat of the old town administration take a guided tour
of its tower and underground areas for a small fee
connecting old town and lesser town over the river Vltava is the 600 year old
Charles Bridge frogs most iconic landmark King Charles the fourth
commissioned a bridge in 1357 replacing the Judith bridge which was destroyed
while flood 113 42:30 baroque statues line the sides of the pedestrian bridge
along with myriad vendors stalls musicians performance artists and
beggars a bustling busy area the bridge is almost never empty of people although
seeing it at dawn or in the evening will mean fewer crowds prague castle looming
above is lit at night and provides the dramatic pisser that enchants all
visitors on each end of the charles bridge rests a tower that offers a great
view of the bridge to those who find the stacks
located between plants slits Square and de Charles Bridge Prague's Old Town
Square is often bursting the tourists and locals into summer checks long
history is exemplified in the medley of architectural styles Romanesque baroque
Rococo gothic and Renaissance are all represented in the superb buildings
around the square soaring gothic towers that rise from chin Cathedral contrasts
with the Baroque style of street Nicolas while Old Town Hall consists of a
collection of gothic and Renaissance buildings entranced visitors wandered
through the square stopping for a spot of people watching at one of the outdoor
cafes are studying the square is central statue of Jan Hus church reformer and
Martin