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Prague

Sights

Prague Castle (Prazsky hrad)

Prague's biggest attraction consists of a huge cluster of buildings perched high on Hradcany Hill which include palaces, galleries, churches and St Vitus' Cathedral.

Hradcanské námestí, Prague 1

Metro Malostranská Tram 12, 22, 23

Tel (02) 2437 3368

Website www.hrad.cz

Admission 220-350 Kc; free entry to castle grounds

Open May-Oct 9am-5pm daily, Nov-Mar 9am-4pm daily

Old Royal Palace (Starý královský palác)

For over 700 years, the Old Royal Palace was the home of Bohemian Royalty and over the years has been used as a courthouse and even as the scene for jousting tournaments.

Third Courtyard, Prague Castle, Hradcanské námestí, Prague 1

Metro Malostranská Tram 12, 22, 23

Admission included in Prague Castle entrance fee

Open same hours as Prague Castle

St Vitus' Cathedral (Katedrála svatého Víta)

Located smack, bang in the middle of Prague Castle, this cathedral took 600 years to complete and is considered to be the top cathedral in Bohemia. The cathedral features 21 chapels including the Chapel of St Wenceslas which is built above the tomb of 'Good King' Wenceslas and is the home of the Czech Crown Jewels. There's a great view of the city from the top of the cathedral tower.

Third Courtyard, Prague Castle, Hradcanské námestí, Prague 1

Metro Malostranská Tram 12, 22, 23

Admission to cathedral tower included in Prague Castle entrance fee

Open same hours as Prague Castle

Malá Strana

This old neighbourhood located below Hradcany Hill and Prague Castle was once a seedy area although it is now one of the most sought-after peices of real estate in the Czech Republic. This neighbourhood is a popular embassy district and although it is largely a residential area. Malá Strana has loads of atmosphere with beautiful architecture and quiant cobblestone streets and is also home to some top class attractions including the Church of St Nicholas.

Metro Malostranská Tram 12, 22

Church of St Nicholas

This is the most Baroque church in a city of Baroque churches and is worth visiting just to see how flamboyantly opulent any building could possibly get.

Malostranské námestí, Prague 1

Metro Malostranská Tram 12, 22

Admission 25-50 Kc

Open 9am-4.30pm daily

Staré Mesto

Prague's old town is a maze of streets filled with impressive monuments and amazing architecture. Although restaurants and bars in this district are overpriced, it is still worth losing yourself in this neighbourhood.

Charles Bridge

From 1357 to 1941, the Charles Bridge was the only bridge in Prague crossing the Vlatva River and it remains the most popular of the city's bridges and features statues of 30 saints. The bridge is extremely touristy with loads of people trying to sell you crap you don't need, although it is a little quieter early in the morning and late at night which incidently are the best times to visit.

Karluv most, Prague 1

Metro Staromestská Tram 17, 18, 51, 54

Old Town Square (Staromestské námestí)

This square is the heart of the old town and many of the district's major attractions are located here.

Metro Staromestská Tram 17, 18

Astronomical Clock

This unique clock on the side of the Old Town Hall is one of Prague's most well-known landmarks. Crowds gather in the square below, on the hour between 8am and 8pm to see the clock chime.

Staromestské, Prague 1

Metro Staromestská Tram 17, 18

Goltz-Kinsky Palace

The balcony of this ornate 14-century palace on the Old Town Square is where Czechoslovakia's first Communist president anounced the beginning of 40 years of Communist rule. Nowadays the palace is used for exhibits by the National Gallery.

Staromestské, Prague 1

Metro Staromestská Tram 17, 18

Jan Hus Monument

The monument in the centre of the Old Town Square represents Jan Hus, the Czech Republic's national hero who led the Hussite uprising against the nation's Roman Catholic leaders in the 15th century. Nowadays most backpackers see the monument as a cool place to hang out, eat, drink and smoke - a bit like a Czech version of Rome's Spanish Steps.

Staromestské, Prague 1

Metro Staromestská Tram 17, 18

Old Town Hall

The Old Town Hall is home to Prague's famous Astronomical Clock, although it is also well worth going inside the town hall and climbing the clock tower for an impressive view of the Old Town.

Staromestské, Prague 1

Metro Staromestská Tram 17, 18

Admission 40-50 Kc

Open Mon 11am-6pm, Tue-Sun 9am-6pm

Tyn Church

Dating from 1385, this church is an excellent example of Gothic architecture and is home to the tomb of the astronomer, Tycho de Brahe.

Staromestské 14, Prague 1

Metro Staromestská Tram 17, 18

Nové Mesto

Prague's new town has been around since the 14th century, although it is still a relatively orderly area compared to Staré Mesto and Malá Strana.

Municipal House

Prague's greatest Art Nouveau building has played an important part in history as the spot where Czechoslovakia officially became an independent nation in 1918.

Námestí Republiky 5, Prague 1

Metro Námestí Republiky Tram 5, 14, 26

Wenceslas Square (Václavské námestí)

This wide boulevard is the main street in the new town has played a vital part of most of the revolutions of the past hundred years.

Václavské námestí, Prague 1

Metro Mustek, Muzeum