Beautiful Beings

Prague - The Capital of the Czech Republic


Click here to enlarge

There are four areas that make up Prague's city centre: New town with Wencelas Square at its centre, Old Town with the Old Town Square; Josefov (Jewish quarter) and Mala Strana (lesser quarter) between Charles Bridge and Prague Castle.

Wenceslas Square

 

Wenceslas Square in Prague is a vibrant area of hotels, apartments, restaurants, bars, clubs and shops.

Wenceslas Square (Vaclavske Namesti) is one of two main squares in the city centre (the Old Town Square is the other, 5 minutes walk away), and as such is a very popular place to stay.

Visitors are drawn to the nightlife and entertainment all around, plus the international shops which make this Prague's main shopping area. Wenceslas Square also offers easy walking access to all Prague's sights & attractions. From here you can reach anywhere in the city centre.

The 750m long and 60m wide boulevard that makes up Wenceslas Square was laid out over 600 years ago during the reign of Charles IV. It was originally used as the main Prague horse market.

Over the years the square has been a regular parade ground for all kinds of organisations and political parties. From anti-communist uprisings to celebrations of national sporting achievements, this is where Czech's come to let off steam. Wenceslas Square comfortably holds up to 400,000 people!

At the top of Wenceslas Square, the statue of St. Wenceslas on his horse cuts a striking figure. This is good King Wenceslas (Vaclav), murdered over a thousand years ago by his brother, and now a Czech national hero.

In front of St. Wenceslas are two plaques in memory of those killed during the Communist era. One is dedicated to Jan Palach, a 20-year old student who set himself on fire in January 1969, in protest at the Soviet invasion.

Behind St. Wenceslas is the monumental National Museum, and just off to the left is the Prague State Opera.

Old Town Square

 

Step into the Old Town Square in Prague and journey back in time, 600 or 700 years. As you stand in awe, the dramatic history of Prague permeates the air.

The Old Town Square (Staromestske Namesti) is one of two main squares in the city centre (the other is Wenceslas Square, 5 minutes walk away). With its ancient buildings and magnificent churches, this is one of the most beautiful historical sights in Europe.

Dating back to the late 12th century, the Old Town Square started life as the central marketplace for Prague. Over the next few centuries, many buildings of Romanesque, Baroque and Gothic styles were erected around the market, each bringing with them stories of wealthy merchants and intrigue.

The Old Town Square's most notable sights are the Church of Our Lady before Tyn, the Old Town Hall Tower & Astronomical Clock and the stunning St. Nicholas Church.

At the centre of the Old Town Square is the Jan Hus statue, erected on the 6th July 1915 to mark the 500th anniversary of the reformer’s death. The groundswell of supporters for his beliefs during the 14th and 15th centuries eventually led to the Hussite wars.

Sit back and soak up the atmosphere over a coffee at one of the many pavement cafés surrounding the square.

Josefov (The Jewish Quarter)

 

The Jewish Quarter, known as Josefov, is located between the Old Town Square and the Vltava River. its torrid history dates back to the 13th century, when the Jewish community in Prague were ordered to vacate their disparate homes and settle in one area.

Over the centuries more and more people were crowded into the area, as Jews were banned from living anywhere else. Restrictions on their movements and the trades they were allowed to conduct underwent constant change.

The Jewish Quarter, or the Prague Jewish Ghetto as it was later to become known, also endured a lot of structural changes, the latest of which was a vast redevelopment of the area between 1893-1913. Its present appearance dates mainly from this period, although most of the significant buildings from previous eras were saved, a living testimony to the history of Prague Jews, spanning many centuries.

These buildings form the best preserved complex of Jewish historical monuments in the whole of Europe. Six synagogues remain, plus the Jewish Town Hall and the Old Jewish Cemetery - the most remarkable in Europe.

Most of the historical sights in the Jewish Quarter come under the auspices of the Jewish Museum and a single ticket will gain you entrance to all their buildings.

The Old-New Synagogue requires a separate ticket. This is the oldest preserved synagogue in Central Europe, built in early gothic style in the late 13th century and is richly adorned by intricate stonework. All interior furnishings are originals. The Old-New Synagogue is today the main house of prayer of Prague's Jewish community.

Mala Strana (the Lesser Town)

Mala Strana (the Lesser Town or Little Quarter) clusters around the foothills of Prague Castle, on the opposite side of the river to the Old Town.

Almost too picturesque for its own good - with its ancient burgher houses, quaint side streets and St. Nicholas Church - Mala Strana is a favourite setting for films and commercials.

Most tourists pass through Mala Strana as they cross from the Old Town over Charles Bridge and climb up Nerudova Street to reach Prague Castle.

At the heart of Mala Strana is a baroque square, Malastranske Namesti. Here, and all around in the cobblestone side streets, there is plenty to explore in the small boutique shops, churches, traditional Czech pubs and restaurants, some located in ancient cellars, others offering fine views of the river.

Mala Strana started life in the 8th century as a market settlement. In 1257 Premysl Otakar II granted it town status and in 1360-1362 fortifications were built by order of Charles IV. This has been known for centuries as the Hunger Wall, built, it is believed, to give employment to the poor during a period of famine.

Mala Strana was almost destroyed twice: first during a battle between the Hussites and the Prague Castle garrison in 1419, and then in the Great Fire of Prague in 1514. Renaissance buildings and palaces replaced the destroyed houses.

The baroque churches and palaces that give Mala Strana its charm date from the 17th and 18th centuries.