Prague (Czech Republic) – the most detailed information about the city with photos. The main sights of Prague with a description, guides and cards.
Contents
City Prague (Czech Republic)
Prague is the capital of the Czech Republic and its largest city. Located on the banks of the Vltava in the central part of the country in the historical area Bohemia. Prague is one of the most beautiful cities in Central Europe, the historical center of which is included in the list of World UNESCO heritage. The capital of the Czech Republic is famous for its unique medieval architecture, landmarks, monuments history and culture, unique atmosphere, delicious cuisine and by beer.
In Prague, the Gothic spiers of ancient churches pierce the sky, the tiled roofs of the old city paint the horizon, and the narrow cobbled streets hide wonderful places, cozy cafes and pubs. The main center of attraction of tourists and a place of concentration is almost all major attractions is the old city: districts Stare Mesto, Mala Strana and Vysehrad. Here are the main Prague’s treasures: Charles Bridge, Prague Castle, Vysehrad Castle, Old Town Square with the Town Hall and the Tyn Church.
Prague Spiers
Architecture
Prague is famous for its magnificent architecture from Gothic to Baroque and is one of the most beautiful cities in Europe. Among the main architectural sights of 18 magnificent stone and steel bridges connecting the banks of the Vltava. One of the most beautiful and The oldest stone bridges in the world – Charles Bridge, a work medieval architecture. A masterpiece of European gothic architecture is the St. Vitus Cathedral, whose construction It has been almost 600 years old. Very impressive: Tyn Church on Old Town Square, Old Town Hall with Astronomical clock, the cathedral of sv. Peter and Paul at Visegrad, the Powder Tower, Clementium.
Gothic Prague
A famous architectural landmark is The Dancing House is a deconstructivist building. City abounds many beautiful fountains. Five central historical districts of Prague in 1993 were included in the number of objects of the World UNESCO heritage as an architectural and historical reserve.
Winter Prague
- Geography and climate
- Best time to visit
- Practical information
- Story
- How to get there
- Movement
- Shopping and shopping
- Food and drink
- sights
- Video
- Maps and guides
- Comments and reviews
Geography and climate
Prague is located almost in the center of the Czech Republic on a hilly plain. The capital of the Czech Republic is spread on both sides of the main Czech rivers – the Vltava.
The climate is moderately continental. Winters are quite mild with small frosts, often with little snow. Summer is a bit rainy but warm Spring comes in March and autumn ends at the beginning December
Autumn in Prague
The average temperature of the coldest month is January. is −1.4 ° C, the warmest – July + 18.2 ° C. The average annual rainfall is about 500 mm. Most rainy months are from May to August, the driest are January and February. The city is rich in green spaces, which are slightly less half of the city. The weather in Prague is very changeable. Often it rains, so on a journey we recommend taking umbrellas and raincoats. It can be quite hot in the summer as well as enough. cool, so I recommend to bring jackets and sweaters.
Prague in the snow
Best time to visit
Prague can be visited all year round. Low season – January March.
Practical information
- Population – 1,280 thousand people
- Area – 496 sq. Km.
- The official language is Czech.
- Currency – Czech crown.
- Time – Central European UTC + 1, in summer UTC + 2.
- Official site – http://www.praha.eu
Administrative division
Prague is divided into 22 administrative districts and 57 urban parts (the main subject of local government). However, from the point postal, electoral, judicial and police administrative law, it is still (since 1960) divided into 10 urban districts.
Special attention deserve the main historical districts of Prague 1 and Prague 2 – Mala Strana, Stare Mesto and Vysehrad. Here focused major attractions. Therefore it is better to look housing is in them.
Accommodation
Prague is a fairly inexpensive city for tourists. Here you can find hotels from 2500 rubles per room per night for two. Recommend for booking accommodation use well-known services such as Booking and Tripadvisor, in which a bunch of various options. AT High season hotels are better to look for in advance.
Prague panorama
Story
The first Slavic settlements emerged at this place already in the 6th century. In the 10th century, Prague became the capital of the Czech Republic, and at 14, 15, 16 and 17 centuries was the capital of the Holy Roman Empire. Foundation of the city associated with the legend of the mythical princess Libus, the daughter of Krok, which foretold the flourishing of the city on the banks of the Vltava.
The founding date of Prague is considered to be the 9th century, when on the left Bank of Prague on the cliff was founded Prague Castle. In 950 on On the right bank was built another ancient fortress – Vysehrad. AT City walls began to be erected in the 13th century. And in the 12th century was built Juditin Bridge – the first bridge over the Vltava. Stare Mesto fortified by city walls, was founded by the Czech king Wenceslas I in the 13th century. Son of Vaclav Premysl Otakar II near Prague Grad founded the “Small Prague Castle” (in the 19th century, called “Mala Strana”). The greatest flourishing of Prague reached under Charles Iv. This king not only made Prague one of the centers Europe and the capital of the Holy Roman Empire, but also greatly changed city view. He began to build the monumental St. Vitus Cathedral in Prague Castle, which gave a collection of relics and valuables, to build a new stone bridge connecting the two banks of the Vltava and preserved to this day and founded the University.
Prague, Charles Bridge
The 15th century was marked by the movement of the Hussites, the consequence of which It became a city in possession of the Habsburgs. In 1618 there was an uprising against the German authorities. In the course of Thirty Years the war the Czechs lost and remained dependent on the German rulers for as many as 3 centuries. This was followed by the decline of the Czech language, and Prague has become an ordinary provincial city.
From October 28, 1918 Prague is the capital of Czechoslovakia. of the republic. Since 1993 – the capital of the Czech Republic.
How to get there
Prague has an international airport that takes many flights from most major cities of Russia and Europe. See the schedule and buy tickets here. -https: //rasp.yandex.ru/. Also from Moscow to the capital Czechs can be reached by train. Trains and buses connect Prague with other cities of the Czech Republic and Europe.
Public transport
Public transportation includes the metro system, trams and buses.
The Prague metro consists of 57 stations and three lines of common 59.3 km long distinguished by letters and color: green “A” (station “Depot Hostivarzh” (czech. Depo Hostivař) – station “Hospital Motol “(czech. Nemocnice Motol), yellow” B “(station” Cerny Most ” (czech Černý Most) – station “Zlicin” (czech Zličín), red “C” (station Let Летany (czech Letňany) – station Gaye (czech. Háje). In A construction project is currently under preparation. the fourth line “D” connecting the main station with the southern areas Libusz and Pisnitse.
Prague metro map
The city has a developed network of tram lines. Tram network covers most of the city, many routes are diametrical, connecting opposite margins through the center. Exist tram and bus routes that only work at night and connect the center with suburbs, covering almost the entire city.
Prague Station underground
Tickets are valid for all types of public transport. They can be bought on any metro station, tram. street kiosks. For payment there are several types tickets: one-time (for 30 minutes and 75-90 minutes) and reusable (1, 3 day, month).
In Prague, a recreational water transport. Used here Riverboats and a variety of historical vessels, including steamers.
Shopping and shopping
As souvenirs they bring from Prague – beer hoops, decorative plates, glass figurines, ceramics, beer, metal dishes. We recommend buying souvenirs in specialized stores of Czech goods, which in the center enough. In Prague you can also buy Bohemian glass and crystal jewelry. There are several shops of the company Moser. For kids you can buy a variety of toys, sweets from marzipan and marmalade. See article – Top 5 Souvenirs from Prague
Food and drink
In Prague a huge number of restaurants and cafes any taste and wallet. Here is a paradise for gourmets and gastronomic. Tourists. Mostly represented by Czech, European and asian kitchen It is logical that eating in a tourist city center will be much more expensive than on the outskirts. But while prices do not look exorbitant and afford most tourists. You can find a restaurant on this site. -https: //www.menicka.cz/praha-1.html. The cost of food on one person on average is150-200 CZK.
Prague, view from Vltava
Czech cuisine is quite calorie. The dishes are usually large, therefore, calculate your strength correctly. Basically presented by pork dishes (although there are dishes from beef, duck), fried and pickled cheese, to many dishes dumplings are made from dough or potatoes, steamed. Of the soups, there are usually potholes, chesnechki.The list of desserts is usually not large and presented different types of baking – strudel, sweet dumplings, trdelnik.
Trdelny
We recommend to try: wild boar knee (pork), sweet (beef), pork ribs, fried and marinated cheese (Hermelin), garlic, trdelnik (especially with filling).
Beer is a separate topic. Associated with the beverage data Prague and the Czech Republic as a whole. There is a huge amount of beer. Beer Served in almost all restaurants, cafes. Here you can taste like famous brands of beer – Budweiser, Krusovice, Kelt, Pilsner, Gambrinus, Kozel, and products of small breweries. The most popular beer is draft. It is kept in metal kegs.
Czech beer
Mostly light (lighter) and dark (tmave) beer. Dark beer is usually softer. Beer – the national drink Czech Republic, so almost everywhere it is very tasty and of excellent quality, It is also sometimes cheaper than other drinks.
See note – Where to drink beer in Prague – the best beer and brewery?
sights
The main sights of Prague, which must see every tourist.
Vyshegrad (czech. Vyšehrad) – an ancient fortress (castle) and historic district. Vysehrad is located on a hill above the Vltava south of city center. From here there is a beautiful view of Prague.
View of Vysehrad
Also in Visegrad there are some interesting attractions. Within the walls of the ancient fortress are: Novogothic Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul, remnants of the ancient Romanesque Basilica, the Romanesque Rotunda of St. Martin, Vysehrad cemetery (burial place of famous figures of the Czech Republic).
Cathedral of sv. Peter and Paul’s
Charles Bridge (Czech Karlův most) – the most beautiful stone bridge across Vltava, connecting the historic districts of Mala Strana and Stare Mesto. This is one of the main symbols of Prague and, probably, the most beautiful. stone bridge in the world. He began to exploit in 1380
According to legend, the first stone was laid in 1357 by Charles IV – the emperor Holy Roman Empire. For a long time, Charles Bridge tied Staré Mesto and Malá Strana served for the passage of kings and delegations in Prague Castle. The entrance to the bridge is decorated on both sides by magnificent Gothic bridge towers: Staromestskaya Tower (Staroměstská mostecká věž) and Malostranskie towers (Malostranská mostecká věž).
The Charles Bridge
The Powder Tower (czech. Prašná brána) – the majestic gothic tower built in the 15th century. Powder tower located on Republic Square. At the gate begins the first part of the road leading to Prague Castle. The height of the powder tower 65 m. At an altitude of 44 m. there is an observation deck that can be reached by spiral staircase. The first stone of the tower was laid in 1475.
Powder tower
Prague Castle (c. Pražský hrad) – a legendary fortress and castle, which for a long time was the center of the Czech state. Located on a hill that stretches from Petrshin Hill. Prague Castle offers a wonderful view of Prague. On South the fortress is connected to the Mala Strana district, in the north it is limited Deer moat.
Prague Castle is a complex of buildings, temples and fortifications. structures located around the three main courtyards, square St. George and Irzhskaya street. Main architectural landmark – the majestic Cathedral of St. Vitus and the Golden small street.
Prague Castle
Old Town Square (czech Staroměstské náměstí) is one of most beautiful old Prague squares located in historic center in the area of Stare Mesto. On the square oddly mixed different architectural styles: gothic, renaissance, Baroque, Rococo. Old Town Square embodies the spirit of Prague, therefore here it is necessary to visit all the tourists.
Old Town square
The Old Town Hall is a famous landmark. Old Town Square. This is one of the most important and beautiful buildings. of this historic district of Prague. The base of the town hall goes back to 14th century. At an altitude of 70 meters is an observation deck, on which can be reached on weekdays from 9.00 to 19.00, and on weekends from 9.00 to 18.00. It offers a stunning view of the old city.The medieval astronomical clock, which also called the Prague Astronomical Clock or Orloj, located on the southern wall town hall. This is one of the most famous astronomical clock in the world, which are very popular among tourists thanks small presentation, which takes place every hour from 8.00 until 20.00.
Old Town Town Hall with Orloy
Tyn Church is a cult building in Prague, one of the most impressive gothic buildings of Europe and visiting Card Staromest Square. His spiky spits pierce the sky, and the temple dominates the square, hiding behind facades of houses, but at the same time being the most visible part of it. The Tyn Church is a vast gothic gallery, renaissance and early baroque, and its body is the oldest in Prague
The history of the temple begins in the 12th century. Already at this time in his place Romanesque basilica was built. History began in the 14th century. of the modern Tyn Church, when rich Prague residents decided to build here is a new church. Construction of the temple continued until the beginning of 16 century. In the 17th century, the interior was reconstructed in the Baroque style.
Tyn Church reached us through the centuries almost damaged, not counting a couple of fires, after which they restored the north tower and the vault of the nave.
Tyn Church
The Dancing House is an office building in Prague. Building built in deconstruction style. Consists of two cylindrical towers, one of which is normal and the other is destructive. dancing House stands out from the surrounding architecture. dancing House like a dancing couple. One part of the building (the one that expands up) symbolizes a male figure, and the second part of the building visually resembles a female figure.
dancing House
Clementium (Czech Klementinum) – an architectural complex, located in the historic area of Stare Mesto. This is one of the largest architectural complexes of the city, second only Prague Castle.
Clementium
Josefov (czech. Josefov) – Jewish quarter and one of the most mystical and mysterious places of the city. Located in Prague 1. Until 1850, it was the center of the Jewish community. Quarter name comes from the name of Emperor Joseph II, who in the course of the reforms improved the life of the Jews. The Jewish quarter is between the right the banks of the Vltava River and the Old Town Square.
Mystical Josefov – Old New Synagogue
Josefov appeared in Prague in 1850 during the administrative transform. Here are some interesting Attractions: Old New Synagogue, Pinkas Synagogue, Maisel Synagogue, Klaus Synagogue, High Synagogue, Jewish Town Hall, Prague Jewish Cemetery.
Wallenstein Garden (Valdštejnská zahrada) – a beautiful garden (fence), located in the center of Prague. A real corner of silence and calm There was a garden at the Waldstein Palace at the beginning of the XVII century, and now in this quiet and comfortable place is the Senate of the Republic. Here you can see peacocks, large carps in the pond and beautiful bronze sculptures.
Wallenstein Garden
Kampa Island (czech Kampa) – an artificial island in Prague, referred to as the “Venice of Prague”. It is amazingly picturesque and romantic place. You can get to Kampa Island by going down the stairs from the Charles Bridge, right behind the statue of Brunswick. From one Kampa is separated by the majestic Vltava, on the other hand Devil, one of her sleeves.
Kampa Island
Kampa Island was formed around the 15th century. He was originally covered with gardens. But after the fire in 1541, from which Prague has suffered greatly, the rest of the people were brought to the island struck buildings. Due to this, it was possible to level the surface and build up an island. The first artisans began to settle here. Behind they began to settle the island and wealthy people.
Now on Kampa Island there are many cafes and restaurants with a great view. to the Vltava and Charles Bridge, many hotels. The island is nice take a walk along the banks of the Vltava and Chertovka, admire architecture of buildings, which are located at the very edge of the water.
Wenceslas Square
Other Places of Interest in Prague
In fact, in Prague, a huge number of other interesting places:
- Prague Zoo is one of the largest and most interesting Europe.
- Troy Zamoks beautiful garden next to the zoo.
- Strahov Monastery – one of the oldest monasteries Prague.
- Wenceslas Square is one of the central Prague squares, very beloved by the people of Prague.
- Petrin Hill with gardens – green “light” of Prague. One of the most scenic spots of the capital of the Czech Republic. The Czech “Eiffel” is established here. tower.
- Prague Loreta – a magnificent baroque complex.
- Church of Our Lady of the Snow – an old Gothic church from the 14th century with baroque elements.
- The Kranner Fountain is a 19th century stone fountain in the Gothic style.
- And dozens of other attractions, historic buildings and just interesting places.
Video
Maps and guides
Tourist map of Prague with landmarks Map of Prague with main sights and metro map
