Prague’s over one million inhabitants are not the only people who understand the city’s beauty and intrigue. Prague attracts about 100,000 tourists every day. Here are three reasons you should be one of them.
Prague Orloj
The Prague Orloj is a medieval astronomical clock mounted on the City Hall in the Old Town Square. It is the oldest functioning astronomical clock in existence. The clock has three distinct features: the walk of the apostles (an hourly show of moving figures), the clock dial (the complicated centerpiece that represents astronomical details) and the calendar (a rotating series of painted month symbols). The astronomical dial is essentially a mechanical astrolabe and it represents the positions of the sun, moon and various celestial formations. Although most tourists simply watch the hourly show and move on, the Prague Orloj is a fascinatingly intricate work of art. If you take the time to decipher its symbols, the Orloj will take on a whole new meaning and your appreciation will run deeper.
Prague Castle
The Kings of Bohemia once lived in Prague Castle, the largest coherent castle complex in the world, according to the Guinness Book of World Records. Historians estimate Prince Bořivoj of the Premyslid Dynasty likely founded Prague Castle around 880. UNESCO has declared it a World Heritage Site. The collection of palaces, spiritual buildings and halls have undergone many additions and renovations throughout the centuries. Roman-style buildings were added in the 10th Century and the castle acquired Gothic touches in the 14th Century. The Slovene architect Josip Plecnik made further alterations in the 20th Century. Prague Castle has seen the turnover of many leaders, systems of government and ideologies. Today, it is the seat of the head of state. With contemporary importance and incredible history, Prague Castle endures as a monument of cultural importance and architectural wonder.
Charles Bridge
Reaching across the Vltava River, the Charles Bridge connects Old Town (location of the Prague Orloj) and Malá Strana (“the Lesser Quarter,” the neighborhood just beneath Prague Castle). This stone Gothic bridge was commissioned by Czech King/Holy Roman Emperor Charles IV. Construction of the bridge took place between 1357 and 1402. Thirty statues of saints line the bridge’s balustrade. Visitors often linger to appreciate these statues, which range widely in composition date but predominantly feature Baroque structural elements. Many artists, musicians, kiosk-owners and other venders gather on the bridge to entertain and provide services during the day. By night, the peacefulness of Charles Bridge makes it the ideal place for admiring the night sky high above the Czech Republic’s capital. The Charles Bridge Museum, which opened in 2007, offers you the opportunity to delve deeper into the bridge’s history and read up on its recent controversial reconstruction.
Mucha Museum
This museum is dedicated to one of the greatest Czech artists of all-time, Alphonse Mucha. The Baroque Kaunický Palace in the heart of Prague houses this career-spanning collection of his work. A large portion of the exhibition focuses on his famous Parisian period, from 1887-1904, including sketchbooks and decorative objects, as well as the posters and oil paintings for which he is world-renowned. Mucha’s fin-de-siècle work was groundbreaking and strongly influenced the development of Art Nouveau.
Riegrovy Sady Beer Garden
Riegrovy Sady is a beautiful park with great views of Prague Castle. The park’s beer garden is a popular option for locals and tourists alike, so it fills up quickly. The beer and sausage are delicious and there are large screens for sporting events. On a warm night, you cannot go wrong with this beer garden.
