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Prague Sightseeing & Attractions etc

Prague's famous reputation for impressive buildings is not confined to the Old Town (Stare Mesto). The main rail terminus Wilsonova Station (above) should not be missed. Situated near a fly-over from an era just passed it is also the home of a cafe space that affords a taste of the spirit of Prague.

- Wenceslas Square Prague - See also Prague Must See)

The dimensions of Wenceslas Square are around 60m X 760m (it is more than twice the width of La Ramblas in Barcelona) give this fomer horse market a sweeping presence, which is clearly definable at the incline top end which is dominated by the slighty Regal looking and very imposing National Museum. In front of the museum is The Satute of Vaclev Myslbek on horseback. Below this on lower gound is a very large The Statue of St Wencelas ( Duke of Bohemia ) who was assainated in the 10th century.

Though Wenceslas Square dates back to the 13th century it is very westernised, with many shops, cafes and clubs. If you with your back to the Musem towards the lower end the first road on the left is a central spot for trams routes from all over Prague which stop outside a large Tescos (Closes at 8pm). At the foot of the square , turn left for The Cafe Lourve in Narodini (100 metres along on the left)-see our Prague Restaurant Guide or right for The Main Prague Tourist Office which is 110 metres along on the right. They love to help

One of the present bridge's twin towers (on the lesser town side) was part of the original bridge. On the cobbled bridge are 30 statues dedicated to the saints that were erected between the 15th and 20th centuries. In the summer its very crowded street traders selling expensive souvenirs. In the winter amidst the snow it is enchanting and romantic especially at night. Dominating the landscape above the bridge is The Prague Castle - Hradnacy Fortress. In principal it is like The Vatican in Rome - a city within a city - but it is far more intriguing. Over 50 buildings can be found in the castle, which was a former palace for Czech Kings and now the official home of the Czech President. The original castle was built in the 9th century and most of it was rebuilt in the 14th century with some additions added in the 16th century.

Those with a morbid fascination will find a visit to it Torture Chambers rewarding whilst others will appreciate The Golden Lane. The latter is a street, one side of which was built in the 16th century for the families of artists, architects and musicians. The other side was built a century later for leading marksmen and soldiers serving Royalty. These house or rooms are only 2m deep. In 1916 no 22 was The Czech Home Of Frank Kafka. During his year stay he was inspired to write The Castle. Incidentally, the last house at the very top of the street offers visitors cross bow showing.

In the midst of all this is The St Vitus Catherdral, which replaced an earlier 9th centry church. It contains 3 domes which house the largest church bell in Bohemia and 21 Chapels. There are three levels to the main building. The castle has several courtyards one of which stages open air theatre and the first courtyard at the highest point of the grounds features The Changing Of The Presidential (Royal) Guard hourly from 5am - midnight. This is on the Nerudova side of the castle.

Public Transport in Prague

Prague’s public transport system included 26 tram routes and, 3 metro lines. There are also a number of buses which unlike the trams do not serve the heart of town -which they circum -navigate. The tram and metro services generally operate from 5am until midnight. There are nine night tram routes which are very dependable.

To travel on these services you must by tickets in advance from kiosks, the machines ar the main bus stops or within the metro stations. Tickets for the metro must be validated at the barriers as you go to the train. Tickets for the trams and buses must be stamped in the machines on board. If a ticket is been used for two or more journeys it only needs to validated on the first journey.

The cheapest option is a 14KC singLe ticket. On the trams it is valid for one journey provided it does not exceed 20 minutes and is not transferable. It is not accepted on night trams or the funicular railway. On the metro it is valid for five stations, with changes for a journey not exceeding 30 minutes. For longer journeys you can buy a 20KC transfer ticket which is valid for any number of journeys taken with 75 minutes of being validated. Between 22.00 & 05.00 and on Saturdays and Sundays it is valid for 90 minutes after being validated.

One day passes cost 80KC, three day passes cost 220KC, 7 day passes cost 280KC and a 15 day pass costs 320KC. These passes are valid from the time of validation so a one day pass validated at 15.00 is valid until 14.59 the following day. These passes are vailid on the 119 buses that serve the airport. You may have to buy a ticket for luggage.

There is a zero tolerance of fare evasion and a sea of plain clothes inspectors very happy to give anyone without a validated ticket a on the spot 500KC fine. Anyone who cannot pay this instantly on demand will have to pat 1,000KC afterwards. Note: It is not possible go through passport control with any such fine outstanding.

Visitors should also be aware that the trams that serve Prague Castle (routes 22 & 23) are the haunt of professional pick pockets.

Prague History & Overview - Early Origins & History

Some historians and archaeolgists believe that the Prague area was first populated in the Stone Age. The first known inhabitants of the area were the Boli tribe in 500BC who named the region Bohemia, and Prague's river the Vltava. In the 6th century AD a Slavic the area was occupied by a Slavic tribe. The leaders of the tribe lived in a fortfied settlement Levý Hradec. In 863 the then leader moved from the hilly settlement to the flat land below known as Praha - todays Prague. By the 10th century this area became a trading market frequented by merchants from all over Europe. Later in the century the fotified settlement on the hill known as Prague Catle. It was the home of the first Bishop of Bohemia and subsequently all of the Czech rulers and today it is the official residence of the Czech President.

The first bridge across the River Vltava was the Judith Bridge in 1170. It did not weather well and collasped in 1342. After Prague University was opened in 1348 a new bridge was built - the Charles Bridge which opened in 1357. In the 16th century Prague was governed by the Habsburg Dynasty and under the rule of Emperor Rudolf 11 the city became wealthy. These fortunes were interrupted when the city was thrown into social political and relgious turmoil by the Thirty Years War in 1618. At the end of the war, in 1648, the Jewish community were allowed back into the city and the Jewish quarter established. In 1689 the city was devasted by fire and much of the following century was devoted to rebuilding it. A great number of these buildings have survived until today.

Discover Prague

In the heart of Eastern Europe the capital city of the Czech Republic offers much of interest to any visitor from a complicated history,unique architechture, opera to Jazz, cafes to restaurant and great bars open all hours selling the many lagers the Czechs are famous for.