Top 10 Places in Golden Pradue

Romantic "City of 100 Spires"

A true crown jewel among the European capitals, Known as the "Golden Prague" or City of 100 Spiers", once the capital of European culture, with Mozart and Kafka among it's many famous residents. Prague fell into oblivion during the communist era but has now retaken it's obvious place as one of Europe's vibrant, romantic must see capitals.
With most of it's attractions within walking distance from the city centre, Prague offers an architectonic feast for the eye, with all it's well preserved splendour from different historical epoques like Medieval, Baroque, Renaissance, Art Noveau amongst others. Every corner you turn in the dwindling streets hides a new surprise. 2009 the city boost's two guide Michelin one star restaurants and the city has made a meteoric rise on all fronts since the velvet revolution in 1989.

1. Charles Bridge

The main artery of central Prague connecting the Old Town with Lesser Town(Mala Strana) crossing the river Vltava. The bridge is nowadays a pedestrian zone and very popular with various street artists and souvenir vendors. The bridge is a piece of artwork decorated by a continuous alley of 30 statues, most of them baroque-style, erected around 1700. The Old Town bridge tower is often considered to be one of the most astonishing civil gothic-style buildings in the world. On Charles Bridge, there is a place on the statue of St. Jan on which visitors can place their hand to make a wish. Choose Queen Sofia, and keep a secret of your choice untold forever; choose the image of Jan being tossed off Charles Bridge, and you'll return to Prague.

Next to the Charles Bridge you have the Kampa Park restaurant, one of the city's finest restaurants frequented by celebrities. Sit down, have meal and enjoy the Charles Bridge seen from the west shore of the old city.

Photo by iLoveButter on Flickr

2. Prague Castle

Prague Castle is the largest coherent castle complex in the world, according to Guinness book of records, and is the seat of the President of the Czech Republic.
The complex consists of Saint Vitus Cathedral (the most recognisable landmark in the city), viewing towers, museums and art galleries, a monastery, The Golden Lane, several palaces, including Lobkowicz Palace, and St. George's Basilica; the latter being a popular venue for early evening classical concerts.
Perhaps the most interesting part is the Golden Lane, also known as the Goldsmiths or Alchemists Lane, with its "half" small houses attached to the outer wall of the castle. The famous author Franz Kafka once lived here for a while in his sisters house.
The Castle houses the Czech Crown Jewels, locked in, with seven different people each one holding a unique key to the vault. The crown jewels are on display on rare occasions. Some stones on the Crown of Saint Wenceslas are the biggest in the world.

3. Astronomical Clock and Old Town Square (Staromestske namesti)

Be prepared for a big crowd in front of the Orloj in the old town square,old town city hall. Every hour, a small trap door opens and Christ marches out ahead of his disciples, while the skeleton of death tolls the bell to a defiant statue of a Turk. Richly ornamented this is a unique masterpiece of an astronomical clock with functions for the revolutions of the sun, moon and stars amongst others.

Dating back to 1410 Various functions has been added during the years. It is unique being the oldest of similar clocks where the original clockwork has been in operation for whole six centuries. 80 years after it's initial construction master Hanus rebuild the clock according to legend. The councillors had Hanus blinded that he would never manage to build another instrument greater than the Orloj. To revenge master Hanus deliberelity damaged the clock that no one could ever fix it again. He also put a spell which made anyone who tried, to go mad or died. Apparently it is a repaired version we see now, with a few clock repairers going mad down the years.

With its ancient buildings and magnificent churches the old town square is one of the most beautiful historical sights in Europe. Domineering the old square is The Church of Our Lady Before Tyn, or Tyn Church, (Týnský Chrám). With its two asymmetrical baroque towers this is a landmark to be seen from all over Prague, specially striking lit up at night time.

At the centre of the Old Town Square is the Jan Hus statue. The supporters for his beliefs during the 14th and 15th centuries eventually led to the Hussite wars.
Take your time, sit back and soak up the atmosphere over a coffee at one of the many outdoor cafés surrounding the square.

4. Jewish Cemetery

It is a strange sight to see 12.000 gravestones closely crowded with some only showing the top through up to 12 layers of graves. 100.000 Jews were buried in this small plot between 1439 to 1787 and it is the oldest existing Jewish cemetery in Europe in the Josefov, the Jewish Quarter of Prague
The entrance to the Old Jewish Cemetery is through the courtyard in front of the Pinkas Synagogue and the exit is near the door to the Klausen Synagogue, where you also find a street full of souvenirs.
Many well-known Jews are buried in the Old Jewish Cemetery with Rabbi Judah Loewas the most famous. Rabbi Judah Loewas was the creator of the "golem" a Jewish version of the Frankenstein's monster created of mud from the river Vltava. Golem run amok and had to be put down. He is still to this day supposed to rest in the attic of the Old-New Synagogue.

5. Wenceslas Square

The heart of the new town is Wenceslas Square, which is more like a boulevard. This has been the parading ground for all kinds of organisations and political parties. From anti-communist uprisings to celebrations of national sporting achievements. It holds a historic significant place in the Czech history since it was at the stairs of the National Museum, domineering the top of the boulevard, Jan Palac burnt himself to death in protest of the soviet invasion in 1968.
The night life and entertainment is rife around the square and there is an array of hotels and international shops.
Look out for the Melantrich where Alexander Dubcek and Vaclav Havel appeared together on its balcony in November 1989, a major event of the Velvet Revolution.

6. U FLeku

What is trip to Prague without visiting a genuine Czech beer hall? U Fleku, founded in 1499,
is one of the finest, with it's own micro brewery and restaurant in the many individual rooms with interesting names such as The Sausage, The Academy, The Knights Hall, The Cabaret, and the Suitcase.
Take a seat at the long tables and you will soon have a nice dark U Fleku lager in front of you, served buy a big Madame with a giant beer tray. A guy with an accordion entertains with traditional Czech songs which contributes to typical beer hall style atmosphere. After a few beers you might get hungry and are ready to enjoy the fine traditional Czech cuisine here. Watch out! As waiters walk around with trays of beer or Becherovka and will leave your drink at the table, settling the bill at the end of your visit. This system makes it quite easy to spend a lot more than you intended!

U Fleku is extremely popular all year round because it is simply a great place to enjoy traditional Czech food, beer and entertainment. To get a seat, be there early!

7. Hotel Evropa

If you want to have a time travel back when Art Noveau was created, step in to the Hotel Evropa, located on the famous Wenceslas Square. Once the Grand Dame of the Wenceslas Square. This is the place where time stood still. In the restaurant you can have a dinner surrounded by palm trees in a typical fashion for that era. The Art Nouveau restaurant called "Titanic restaurant" is world renown as well as the Café Evropa, its wooden and etched-glass grandeur is well worth a coffee and a look. At times there will be a three man orchestra playing Wiener classics.

Hotel Evropa's unique interior has appeared in many films of various world productions, for example the well known "Mission Impossible" with Tom Cruise. You may also recognize the interior from the blockbuster Titanic. The movie based the dining room of the ship on the Evropa restaurant and cafe.

8. Lesser Town, Mala Strana

Under the slopes of the Prague castle you find Mala strana(little quarter) where virtually nothing in the architecture has changed since the 18th century. Mala Strana resides impressive baroque palaces and old houses. Its centre is Malostranske square with St. Nicholas Church. Take stroll down Nerudova Street (Nerudova ulice)
It used to be a main approach to Prague Castle. The street got its name after the famous Czech poet and writer Jan Neruda who lived in the house of The Two Suns (U Dvou sluncu). In the street you will find many quaint restaurants, shops with souvenirs and crafts and also hotels and embassies.

Photo by swperman at Flickr

9. Church of Our Lady Victorious and Holy Infant of Prague

This is a compulsory stop of for many worshippers from the entire world to see the little statute of the Holy Infant Jesus. The home of holy infant Jesus is a beautiful baroch church. Under the church is a crypt of members of the Carmelite order.
The statuette was donated by Duchess Polyxena of Lobkovicz donated to the church in the first half of the 17th century. A collection of dresses that were given to the Holy Infant as an expression of gratefulness, is situated in a room in the upper floor, the entrance is on the left from the altar.

Legend has it that the statuette was made by a Spanish monk after the infant Jesus appeared in front of him during garden work.

10. Fred and Ginger or the Dancing House

Prague is not all about historical architecture. An astounding and contemporary building is the Dancing House, Nationale-Nederlanden building in downtown Prague. It was designed by Yugoslavian-born Czech architect Vlado Milunic in co-operation with Canadian architect Frank Gehry on a vacant riverfront plot, where the previous building had been destroyed during the Bombing of Prague in 1945. The building was completed in 1996.
Have a meal on the roof of the building in the French restaurant with magnificent views of the city.