Yello’s Mini City Guide: Five Top Sights to See in Prague
by Karen Rollins Jun 17, 2020
Prague is undeniably one of the most enchanting destinations in Europe.
Nicknamed the ‘city of a hundred spires’, the 1,100-year-old skyline of the Czech Republic’s capital is dotted with domed churches and ancient towers. While at street level, thousands of visitors are regularly beguiled by Prague’s charm and magical atmosphere.
If you are lucky enough to be visiting Prague sometime soon, this guide will give you an idea of the top five sites to visit.
Charles Bridge
Charles Bridge is one of the most visited sites in Prague. The structure, which was started in 1357 and finished in 1402, straddles the Vitava river and is the second oldest bridge in the Czech Republic.
Czech king and Holy Roman Emperor Charles IV had the bridge built after the previous, ‘Judith Bridge’, was destroyed by floods in 1342 and until 1841 it was the only bridge over the Vitava river.
The bridge is a stunning example of Gothic architecture. There are towers at both ends which offer a unique view of the bridge and Prague.
One of the best times to visit the bridge is at sunset when there are fewer people.
Prague Castle
Prague Castle is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It was founded in around 880 by Prince Bořivoj of the Premyslid Dynasty and has served as the seat of Czech princes and kings, and the Prague bishop, since the 10th Century.
The castle has undergone several repairs, restorations and expansions over the centuries and is now, according to the Guinness Book of World Records, the largest coherent castle complex in the world.
Today, several parts of the castle are open to the paying public and people can view priceless art relics, historical documents, and the Czech Crown Jewels.
If you’re staying in Prague for a few days, you can save time and money if you buy the public transport Prague Card, which includes free entry to the castle.
St Vitus Cathedral
St Vitus Cathedral is part of the vast Prague Castle complex.
Built over a time span of almost 600 years, the cathedral has played a key role in Prague’s rich history. It has been the site of coronations for Czech kings and queens and is the place where several patron saints, noblemen, sovereigns and archbishops are buried. (picklelicious.com)
The central point of the cathedral is St Wenceslas Chapel which contains the tomb of this most important Czech patron saint.
The facing of the walls are made up of precious stones, and the wall paintings date back to the original 14th-century decoration of the chapel.
Wenceslas Square
Wenceslas square is the commercial and administrative centre of Prague and has been the site of some of the Czech Republic’s most important social and historical events.
The square was created during the founding of the New Town by Charles IV in 1348, and is one of two main squares in the capital, along with the Old Town Square which is a short walk away.
Now, Wenceslas square is a vibrant hive of activity with visitors enjoying several shops, cinemas, theatres, banks, hotels, and restaurants. The site is dominated by the Historical Building of the National Museum and a 1912 statue of the national patron St Wenceslas.
The National Museum
The National Museum is the largest museum in the Czech Republic. It consists of five specialised institutes which are situated in various buildings around Prague – the Museum of Natural Sciences, the Historical Museum, the Library of the National Museum, the Náprstek Museum of Asian, African and American Cultures and the Czech Museum of Music.
The Historical Building of the National Museum in Wenceslas Square is one of the most photographed buildings in Prague and recently underwent major reconstruction work before reopening to the public in 2018.
One of the long-term exhibitions at the museum includes ‘Crossroads of Czech and Czechoslovak Statehood’, which shows visitors the important milestones in the country’s 20th century history, including its peaceful dissolution in January 1993 from Czechoslovakia into two independent states.
