Prague is often called the most beautiful city in Europe. In any case, this city is magnificent, and it leaves no one indifferent.
Here everyone can find exactly what he especially likes: numerous “breweries” with the freshest foamy drink of several tens of varieties and an excellent selection of incredibly tasty and satisfying snacks; beautiful examples of a variety of architectural styles (from Romanesque buildings and temples with elements of early Gothic art to chic buildings in the Renaissance and Art Nouveau style); luxurious palaces and lush green gardens surrounding them, pleasantly pampering the sense of smell with the aroma of many flowers; narrow, almost unchanged from the XVII-XVIII centuries, streets, embracing with cozy silence, and huge squares-boulevards, homogeneous in different languages, ...
And over all this, an almost physically tangible flair of some magic hovers, making Prague not only beautiful and memorable, but also infinitely attractive.
Here, each old house has its own legend, and even a personal ghost (and for palaces and temples this is, as it were, of course).
Here you will often catch yourself thinking that you are as if out of time (or in several eras at the same time), and this is an indescribable, slightly tickling nerves, but still very pleasant sensation. And therefore, once in the capital of beautiful Czech Republic, you will definitely want to come back here again.
It is incredibly difficult to choose only 10 sights of Prague, which you must see, but we still try to do it. Go!
10. Zizkov TV Tower (Žižkovský vysílač)
It would seem that unusual in a television tower, especially built in the early 1990s?
Yes, maybe, in itself (as an architectural object), the tower in the Prague district of Zizkov does not stand out for anything special. But this is the tallest building in the Czech Republic (216 meters), and approximately in the middle of its height there is an excellent restaurant (one of the best in the city), as well as three (!) Observation platforms that offer a magnificent view of Prague and its surroundings ( say, in clear weather - up to 100 km).
And also the Zizkov Tower is famous for its huge black “babies” crawling on it, of an alien appearance — the creations of the shocking Czech sculptor David Cerna.
If you don’t want to go to the tower in Zizkov specifically, then there are two exactly the same “babies” on the Kampa island, not far from the gallery of modern art (literally 300 meters from Charles Bridge).
9. The Museum of Franz Kafka (Muzeum Franze Kafky)
And on the other hand from Charles Bridge (about 200 meters) - in the Prague region Mala Strana - you will find one of the most unusual museums of all that you can imagine.
Even from the entrance to the museum yard you will notice a strange and even slightly shocking composition - two greenish "gentlemen" writing on a map of the Czech Republic.
Want to be surprised even more? Uncles do not just, so to speak, relieve themselves, they "write out" the words sent by SMS to a special number. And anyone can order their own word.
Here is a fountain - strange and absurd, like the very work of Franz Kafka. (Try to guess who is the author of the idea? That's right - again David Cerny!).
A gloomy exposition of two parts awaits you in the museum: “Existential Space” and “Imaginary Topography”. Of course, it is dedicated to the life, work and death of Kafka himself, as well as to Prague at the beginning of the 20th century (in a special vision of this paradoxical writer).
His diaries, manuscripts, drawings, letters and photographs are not simply collected here - all this is additionally “emphasized” by an oppressive light, frightening sounds, strange 3D-models, etc.
By the way, if you suddenly wander into the old Jewish district of Josefov (which is located near Old Town Square), you will find a very unusual monument to the writer - Kafku, who is riding on a huge empty suit.
8. Wallenstein Garden (Valdštejnská zahrada)
Walk a little further along Mala Strana (to the metro station Malostranska), and you will find yourself next to the riding school and the entrance to the Wallenstein Garden, beautiful and magnificent.
Mala Strana itself is a fairly quiet and calm area, but in this garden, designed as early as the beginning of the 17th century for the Duke Albrecht Waldstein (or Wallenstein), an outstanding commander of the Thirty Years War, you will feel real calm and relaxation.
In a picturesque pond decorated with sculptures “headed” by Hercules, goldfish and bright Japanese carps swim (they can be fed, by the way). In the bush - dense and bright green - real peacocks scream.
In the center of the garden, the Venus fountain quietly murmurs with thin streams. And at its far end there is an artificial wall with stalactites and grottoes. And what a thick aroma of flowers stands above all this! And the best part is that the entrance to the garden is completely free.
7. Prague Zoo (Zoologická zahrada)
If you came to Prague with children, then do not be lazy - bring them to the Prague Zoo. Yes, it is far from the city center, and you will have to go there most likely with a change (first by metro to the Nádraží Holešovice station - “Holešovice station”, and then by free express bus with the inscription ZOO). But believe me, it's worth it!
Prague Zoo is one of the largest in Europe, and it is located on a vast area of 60 (!) Hectares in a very picturesque place.
Here you can see about 650 species of animals, birds, reptiles, etc. For them, special spacious enclosures and pavilions have been built, in which conditions are created close to those familiar to these animals in the natural environment.
By the way, all the fences in the zoo are translucent, so its inhabitants can be seen in detail. And do not even plan to quickly go around the entire territory in two to three hours. This is just unreal!
Devote to Prague Zoo at least all day. Moreover, there is where to eat and relax. Oh yes! Very close to the zoo is the baroque Troian castle with a garden.
6. Wenceslas Square (Václavské náměstí)
Want to see one of the largest and most famous city squares in the world? Then welcome to St. Wenceslas Square - the patron saint of the Czech Republic (or, simply, Wenceslas).
Wenceslas (located in the Prague district Nove Mesto) is a real commercial and business center of Prague. The prestigious hotels, expensive shops, good restaurants and cafes, famous galleries and nightclubs stretch along the very considerable length of this boulevard square (750 meters!).
At the upper (southeastern) end of Wenceslas, Wenceslas sits on a horse with a flag in his hand (surrounded by other Czech saints: Lyudmila, Anezhka, Prokop and Wojtech). This sculptural group appeared here in 1912. And behind the back of Wenceslas rises a huge neo-Renaissance building of the National Museum (late 19th century), where you can get acquainted with the rich history of the Czech Republic, consider a collection of busts of great Czechs, and also visit the department of natural science. Other departments of the museum are located in 4 branches in different areas of the city.
5. Powder tower (Prašná brána)
Actually, the Powder Tower was not originally intended for storing gunpowder. It was built (at the end of the 15th century) as one of the 13 gates in Stara Mesto (Old Town) instead of the dilapidated Mountain Gate.
At that time, Czech kings lived in this part of Prague. And, by the way, it was from the Gates of the Mountains that the so-called Royal Road began, along which each new king of Bohemia (Czech Republic) had to solemnly walk on foot for coronation: along the current Tseletnaya street, through all of Stara Mesto, along Charles Bridge, then along Mala Strana and up - to Prague Castle.
But in 1488 the next king - Matthias I, because of serious fears for his life, transferred the royal court "for permanent residence" to a safer place - Prague Castle. The gates remained partially unfinished, and at the beginning of the XVIII century they really became the Powder Tower - they kept ammunition and gunpowder here.
Now there is a small museum in the Powder Tower, which presents a brief history of Czech kings. And at a height of 44 meters (by the way, the total height of the tower is 65 meters) there is an observation deck with a great view of the very center of Prague. An old spiral staircase of 186 steps leads there.
4. Old Town Square (Staroměstské náměstí)
Take a little walk from the Powder Tower along Tseletnaya Street, and you will soon find yourself in one of the most beautiful (and most crowded) squares in Prague - the Old Town Square.
Here are several magnificent sights of the city: firstly, the Old Town Hall, on the south side of which is Orloi - the famous astronomical clock that plays a real performance every hour (the town hall itself was founded in the 13th century, and the clock was built at the beginning of the 15th century); secondly, the Church of the Virgin Mary in front of Tyn (Tyn Cathedral) of the beginning of the 15th century; thirdly, the beautiful white and pink palace of the Kinsky princes in the Rococo style; as well as the church of St. Mikulas (Nicholas) - the main temple of modern Czech Hussites (yeah, there are some); sculptural composition dedicated to Jan Hus and his associates; the place of execution of 27 Czech nobles who lost the battle of Belaya Gora during the uprising of Czech Protestants against Ferdinand II of Habsburg (of course, Catholic); the house “At the minute” (XVII century) painted in sgraffito technique, etc.
3. Strahov Monastery (Strahovský klášter)
And now we are mentally transported to the other side of the Vltava, to the mountain and beyond Prague Castle. There, surrounded by beautiful peach orchards and vineyards, the Strahov Monastery settled down from the middle of the 12th century.
Its name does not mean “scary” at all - it comes from the word “guard”, because once upon a time there was an outpost guarding the approaches to the city.
First, the monastery of the Order of Premonstrants had a Romanesque appearance, then it was rebuilt in the Gothic style. But over its long history, it burned down many times and rebuilt again (being close to Prague Castle, the monastery was constantly involved in all the major historical events in the Czech Republic).
Now it has a baroque look. And the most magnificent room in the entire monastery ensemble is the library, assembled and decorated by the monks in the XVI-XVIII centuries.
And another nice bonus from visiting the Strahov Monastery is the opportunity to taste the wonderful Swat Norbert beer (St. Norbert), which is still brewed by monks according to an old recipe in a local brewery.
2. Prague Castle (Pražský hrad)
Directly from the walls of the Strahov Monastery offers a magnificent view of Prague, and first of all - the majestic Prague Castle.
And if you want to explore all its sights, then you will need a whole day, because there are several museum exhibits (in the monastery of St. George, in the royal palace, in the summer palace of Queen Anne, in the palace of Lobkowice - the noble Czech princes, in the gallery on the former the fortress wall of the city, on Zlata Street, etc.).
In addition, you cannot help but look into the beautiful St. Vitus Cathedral - a striking example of European Gothic architecture, whose sculptures and stained-glass windows can be admired for hours.
And if you also like medieval stone gargoyles, you won’t calm down until you go around the whole cathedral around (and there are a great many of them, of various “breeds” and varieties).
By the way, here in Grad is the residence of the President of the Czech Republic. And, imagine, crowds of tourists walk quite calmly right under its windows and “take a selfie” against the background of the “Presidential Chancellery” sign.
1. Charles Bridge (Karlův most)
And finally, another (perhaps the most “postcard”) attraction of Zlata Prague is the magnificent and one-of-a-kind Charles Bridge.
It was built by order of the most beloved Czech king Charles IV (who made Prague the unique city that we know today) instead of the Juditin bridge destroyed by the flood.
The first stone of the future Charles Bridge was laid in 1357, on the 9th day of the 7th month, at exactly 5 hours 31 minutes. Now line these numbers in a row: 1 3 5 7 9 7 5 3 1. See? This is a palindrome number! So recommended by astrologers. And in the Middle Ages, even kings listened to them.
Charles Bridge (whose length is 520 meters) connects through the Vltava Stare Mesto and Mala Strana. It is decorated with 30 sculptures of saints (mainly Czech), the most popular of which is the statue of St. John of Nepomuk. Near it, tourists like to make wishes (and, they say, they still come true).
And on the bridge towers - both Malostranskaya and Old Town - there are excellent viewing platforms from which you can clearly see not only the Charles Bridge itself, but also all the surroundings.