Prague
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Prague: The magical city of bridges, cathedrals, gold-tipped towers and church domes, whose image has been mirrored in the surface of the Vltava river for more than ten centuries. Prague is also a modern European metropolis full of energy, music, and art.
It's a city of contrasts: Serene green isles in the river and peaceful parks draping the city's seven hills are just steps away from the architectural treasures and bustling street life of the city center. Prague's atmosphere is both intimate and romantic, and quite impossible to forget once you visit. During a walk through the city, you will quickly discover that the history of European architecture has left behind splendid representatives of its various periods and styles. There are Romanesque, Gothic, Renaissance, Baroque, and Classicist buildings, as well as various neo-historic styles and Art Nouveau.
Prague is also a verdant city. The hills below the Prague Castle, for example, have been shaped by Baroque architects who combined splendid palatial buildings with beautiful formal gardens full of pavilions and arbors. Fifteen large bridges accent the panorama of Prague. Fourteen span the river Vltava, one bridges the vast Nusle valley. The oldest and the most valuable bridge was built in 1357 and bears the name of its founder, the Emperor Charles IV. You cannot miss it when strolling along the Royal Way, the famous coronation route of Czech kings connecting the Old Town with the Prague Castle.
One of the most breath-taking, as well as photogenic, views of the Castle opens up from the very head of Charles Bridge. The Castle panorama features just about all the historic architectural styles; it’s not an exaggeration to say that you are looking at a thousand years’ worth of European architecture.
The islands in the Vltava offer entirely different views of the city. Although these small islands are not very remarkable geographically, their greenery plays an important part in city life. Amidst the urban bustle of the centre, these islands are welcome oases of calm, perfect for impromptu relaxation.
The Czech metropolis abounds in theatres, concert and exhibition halls, museums and galleries. Prague truly offers something for everyone, and each of its many faces has its own special charm.
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Prague Castle and Hradcany
Prague Castle is the most popular sight visited in Prague. It is the largest ancient castle in the world (570 m long, on average 128 m wide, area 7.28 hectares).
Constructed in the 9th century by Prince Boøivoj, the castle transformed itself from a wooden fortress surrounded by earthen bulwarks to the imposing form it has today. Rulers made their own additions so there is a mixture of styles. Prague castle has had four major reconstructions, but it keeps its classical facelift it took on in the 18 century during the reign of Maria Theresa.
The castle has three courtyards and it has always been the seat of Czech rulers as well as the official residence. Allow at least half a day (it does not include time for museum visits) if you want to examine it in depth. Some of the monuments in this area:
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Chapel of the Holy Cross (kaple sv. Køíže)
Picture Gallery of Prague Castle (Obrazárna Pražského hradu)
Imperial Stables (Císaøská konírna)
The Spanish Hall (Španìlský sál)
Rudolf Gallery (Rudolfova galerie)
St Vitus Cathedral (Katedrála Sv. Víta)
Old Royal Palace (Starý Královský Palác)
Mihulka Powder Tower (Prašná vìž)
Convent of St George (Klášter Sv. Jiøí)
Basilika of St George (Bazilika Sv. Jiøí)
Royal Garden (Královská zahrada)
Ball-Game House (Míèovna)
Summer Palace (Letohrádek)
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Riding School (Jízdárna)
Golden Lane (Zlatá ulièka)
White Tower (Bílá vìž)
Daliborka Tower (Daliborka)
Lobkowicz Palace (Lobkovický palác)
Toy Museum (Muzeum hraèek)
Schwarzenberg Palace (Švancenberský palác)
Archbishop's Palace (Arcibiskupský palác)
Sternberg Palace (Šternberský palác)
Èernín palace (Èernínský palác)
The Loreta (Loreta)
Capuchin Monastery (Kapucínský klášter)
Strahov Monastery (Strahovský klášter)
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Prague Lesser Town
The Lesser Town was founded in 1257 on the slopes bellow the Prague castle and it is the part of Prague least affected by resent history. Some of the monuments in this area:
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Nerudova Street (Nerudova ulice)
Lesser Town Square (Malostranské námìstí)
St Nicholas Church (Kostel sv. Mikuláše)
Wallenstein Palace (Valdštejnský palác)
Church of st Thomas (Kostel sv. Tomáše)
Vrtba Garden (Vrtbovská zahrada)
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Church of Our Lady Victorious (Chrám Panny Marie Vítìzné)
Maltese Square (Maltézské námìstí)
Kampa Island (Kampa)
Charles Bridge (Karlùv most)
Vojan Park (Vojanovy sady)
Petøín Hill (Petøín)
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Prague Jewish Quarter (Josefov)
Named after the emperor Josef II, whose reforms helped to ease living conditions for the Jewish, the Jewish Quarter contains the remains of Prague's former Jewish ghetto. As many of the Jewish died during the WWII and were forced by the communist regime to leave the country, the current Prague community numbers 5000 – 6000 people. There are two figures synonymous with this part of the city, Franz Kafka (1883 – 1924) and the mystical humunculus Golem created by Jehuda ben Bezalel, also known as Rabi Löw. Some of the monuments in this area:
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Old Jewish Cemetery (Starý židovský høbitov)
Pinkas Synagogue (Pinkasova Synagóga)
Klausen Synagogue (Klausová synagóga)
Old-New Synagogue (Staronová synagóga)
High Synagogue (Vysoká synagoga)
Jewish Town Hall (Židovská radnice)
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Maisel Synagogue (Maiselova synagoga)
Church of the Holy Ghost (Kostel sv. Ducha)
Spanish Synagogue (Španìlská synagóga)
St Agnes's Convent (Klášter sv. Anežky)
The Rudolfinum (Rudilfinum)
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Prague Old Town
Mentioned in 1091, it is the oldest of the towns of Prague gained the privileges of a town in the 13th century. However, its name dates back to the 14th century when the New Town was founded. The centre of the Old Town has always been the Old Town Square dominated by the Church of Our Lady of Týn and the Town Hall. Some of the monuments in this area:
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Powder Gate (Prašná brána)
Municipal House (Obecní dùm)
Celetná Street (Celetná ulice)
Church of St James (Kostel sv. Jakuba)
Estates Theatre (Stavovské divadlo)
Carolinum (Karolinum)
Old Town Square (Staromìstské námìstí)
Church of Our Lady before Týn (Kostel Panny Marie pøed Týnem)
Kinský Palace (Palác Kinských)
Jan Hus Monument (Pomník Jana Husa)
Church of St Nicholas (Kostel sv. Mikuláše)
Old Town Hall (Staromìstská radnice)
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House at the Two Golden Bears (Dùm u dvou zlatých medvìdù)
Church of St Gall (Kostel sv. Havla)
Church of St Martin in the Wall (Kostel sv. Martina ve zdi)
Church of St Giles (Kostel sv. Jiljí)
Bethlehem Chapel (Betlémská kaple)
Clam-Gallas Palace (Clam-Gallasùv palác)
Mariánské Square (Mariánské námìstí)
Charles Street (Karlova ulice)
Palace of the Lords of Kunštát (Dùm Pánù z Kunštátu)
Clementinum (Klementinum)
Knights of the Cross Square (Køížovnické námìstí)
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Prague New Town
The carefully planned New Town was founded by Charles IV in 1348. Twice as
large as the Old Town, it was mainly inhabited by tradesmen and craftsmen.
During the late19th century its outer fortification were demolished and
redeveloped to its present appearance. Today it is not particularly
attractive to tourists because of its modern ness.
Some of the monuments in this area:
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Welceslas Square (Václavské námìstí)
Church of Our Lady of the Snows (Kostel Panny Marie Snìžné)
Franciscan Garden (Františkánská zahrada)
National Museum (Národní muzeum)
State Opera (Státní opera)
Church of St Ignatius (Kostel sv. Ignáce)
Jesuit College (Jezuitská kolej)
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Charles Square (Karlovo námìstí)
Church of St Cyril and St Methodius (Kostel sv. Cyrila a Metodìje)
Faust House (Faustùv Dùm)
Slavonic Monastery (Klášter na Sovanech)
Church of St Stephen (Kostel sv. Štìpána)
Church of St Ursula (Kostel sv. Voršily)
National Theatre (Národní divadlo)
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