basic information

Prague is the capital of the Czech Republic, as well as one of the most interesting cities in the heart of Europe. Today, Prague is home to more than 1,250,000 people, it is the largest city in the country and a famous cultural, scientific, historical and administrative center.

Prague covers an area of ​​49,600 hectares and is located on both banks of the Vltava River. You can get to the other side of the Vltava via one of 18 bridges. The name of the city "Prague" apparently comes from the rapids on the Vltava, which were used to cross to the other side.

Various epithets are often associated with Prague: Golden Prague and Hundred-Towered Prague, stone Prague, mother of cities, pearl. The Arab merchant Ibrahim ibn Yaqub wrote about stone Prague - about a city made of stone and limestone - in the tenth century. The gilding on the domes of Prague Castle during the time of Charles IV and the plaster of Prague houses and palaces, made with an admixture of sand from the Vltava, glistening in the sun - this is Golden Prague. According to reliable data, there are about 500 towers in Prague, which make up the picturesque panorama of hundred-towered Prague.

A visit to the Czech Republic is integrally connected with a visit to Prague. About three million tourists visit the capital of the Czech Republic every month.

Prague has excellent air, bus and train connections not only with other cities of the Czech Republic, and any motorist can easily reach Prague by car along expressways and highways. They connect Prague with Germany, Slovakia, Austria and Poland, as well as with all major centers of the country.

Prague is always happy to welcome guests and is ready to show them its riches. Since 1992, the historical parts of old Prague have been included in the UNESCO List of World Natural and Cultural Heritage. The total area of ​​the historical and cultural reserve is 866 hectares.

Prague is a must-see city!

History of Prague

It is reliably known that the territory of modern Prague was inhabited before our era. Later, the first Slavic settlements appeared on its territory. At the same time, the need arose to defend against attacks by enemy tribes. This is how the first Slavic fortifications arose on the territory of Prague.

The foundation of Prague Castle around 870 is considered to be the year of the founding of Prague. It was here that the center of the Czech Principality was located. Around 926, the rotunda of St. Vitus was founded at Prague Castle. During the further development of Prague in the 10th century, Vysehrad and the Prague Bishopric were founded. In 965, the Arab merchant Ibrahim ibn Yaqub left the first written evidence of Prague. And finally, in 1085, the first Czech king, Vratislav I, chose Prague as his capital. It should be noted that at this time the royal title had not yet been inherited.

In 1198, the Czech Duchy received the status of a kingdom. Royal status and the right to inherit the royal title were confirmed in the Golden Sicilian Bull, which in 1212 the German king and future Holy Roman Emperor Frederick II of Hohenstaufen gave to the Czech king Otakar Přemysl I.

The city was significantly changed by the Czech king and Holy Roman Emperor Charles IV, increasing its importance. Under Charles IV, Prague became the capital of the kingdom, and the appearance of the city changed significantly. Undoubtedly, the period of the reign of Charles IV is the period of greatest prosperity for Prague: Charles IV founded Charles University, built the Charles Bridge and expanded the borders of the city. Charles University became the first university in Central Europe. At the same time, the settlements merged into the New Town (Novoe Mesto), and the construction of the town hall in the Old Town began. All these events signified the growing importance of the city.

In the 16th century, the Kingdom of Bohemia, together with its capital in Prague, was inherited by the Austrian Habsburg dynasty, and at the end of the 16th century, Rudolf II of Habsburg was crowned the Czech King. During the period of Rudolf II, Prague became the capital of the Habsburg Empire, as well as an important center of cultural and social life. The reasons for the capital's move to Prague are related to frequent Turkish raids on Vienna. The period of Rudolf II's reign can be characterized as the flowering of art, culture and science. Rudolf II himself was a great connoisseur of art and collector. In addition, Rudolf II was interested in astrology and alchemy. Astrologers, alchemists and...various charlatans often visited the court of Rudolf II. In addition to them, famous European astronomers visited here. Tycho de Brahe was the court astronomer of Rudolf II, and after his death he was buried in Prague.

Although the Habsburg dynasty remained in power in the Czech Republic for almost the next 300 years, after the death of Rudolf II and the defeat of the uprising against the Habsburgs at the beginning of the 17th century, Prague never again became the capital of the Czech kings. The subsequent period is characterized by the decline of the Czech language and national identity, and with this the decline in the importance of Prague.

In 1784, four separate Prague settlements united and thus the greater Prague came into being.

As part of Austria-Hungary, after the death of Rudolf II, Prague lost its splendor and significance, gradually turning into a provincial city of the monarchy.

Yet the history of the Austrian Habsburg dynasty is closely connected with the Czech Republic and Prague. Not far from Prague, in Konopiste Castle, lived the last heir to the Habsburg throne, Franz Ferdinand I, who, together with his wife Czech Countess Zsofia Chotkova, was killed in Sarajevo in August 1914.

Prague acquired new significance during the period of industrial development, when numerous factories and manufactories were opened. The development of industry and trade contributed to the stratification of society and urban parts. The Czech population was predominantly engaged in crafts, while the German and Jewish population were predominantly engaged in trade and production.

Traditions in the occupation continued even after the proclamation of the Czechoslovak Republic in 1918. The street with the most the best shops, salons and cafes in Prague - this is today's Na Przikope Street. This part of Prague was predominantly German and ended approximately in the area of ​​what is now Narodní (National) Street. Beyond this line, mainly in the Czech part of Prague, there were many pubs and pubs.

During the Second World War, Prague was the capital of the Protectorate of Bohemia and Moravia. This ensured Prague suffered fewer losses compared to other cities.

Prague is also the place of birth international day students. This memorable day is celebrated in solidarity with Czech students who demonstrated in 1939 to protest the closure of Czech universities.

Another very important event of those times is connected with Prague. This is an attempt on the life of Protector Reinhard Heydrich in 1942 (in fact, Heydrich was Deputy Protector Konstantin von Neureuth, who was sent on leave for health reasons due to improper performance of his duties). Then a group of Czechoslovak paratroopers was thrown behind enemy lines and received the task of killing Heydrich. As a result of an unfortunate coincidence, when the weapon of one of the attackers failed, the paratroopers made a decision on the spot and threw a bomb at the car. Heydrich was wounded and subsequently died from his wounds. The paratroopers hid for some time in the Orthodox Cathedral of Cyril and Methodius, but were discovered after betrayal. The heroes did not give up: they died in battle or were shot, and the servants who helped them were shot. The cathedral is located in Prague 2, and currently houses a monument commemorating these events. Not far from Prague, on the site of a village burned by the Nazis in revenge, the Lidice memorial site is located. And at the site of the assassination attempt on paratroopers in the Prague 8 area, a monument was unveiled.

Despite the fact that Prague suffered less than other cities during the war, the consequences of the bombing remained visible here for a long time. On the embankment, on the site of one of the destroyed houses, there is now one of the most interesting buildings of modern architecture - the Dancing House. The house was designed by architects Vlado Milunić and Frank Gehry. There are office premises, shops and a restaurant here. The house symbolizes famous dancers Ginger Rogers and Fred Astaire. The unusual architecture of the building fits harmoniously into the surrounding buildings. This is a vivid example of a successful combination of different styles.

Another important event associated with Prague is the Prague Uprising of May 5-9, 1945. The uprising occurred on the wave of national upsurge after the transition of institutions to the Czech language (during the protectorate, communication was bilingual, in Czech and German). People removed German inscriptions and hung Czech flags. Some parts of the German occupation authorities ignored orders to transfer control and opened fire. Barricades began to be built in the city. Help for the rebels came from the army of General Vlasov, but later the army, even before the arrival of the Red Army, decided to leave Prague. The uprising ended with the liberation of Prague on May 9, 1945.

The post-war period in Prague, as well as in other cities of the country, is characterized by the expulsion of the German population from the country on the basis of the so-called Benes Decrees. The Germans, who previously constituted a significant cultural layer of the population, were deprived of citizenship, their property was confiscated and, finally, about three million Germans, Hungarians and representatives of other nationalities were expelled from the country.

Monuments and landmarks

Prague Castle is the most famous Prague landmark. This is the largest fortified building in Europe, consisting of a whole complex of buildings. The dominant feature of Prague Castle is St. Vitus Cathedral.

Although construction began in the Middle Ages, it was completed only in the twentieth century. The construction of the cathedral was interrupted many times due to wars, religious unrest and, mainly, due to the death of Charles IV, who invited the famous builder Peter Parler to build the cathedral. Parler survived the king by twenty years. Interest in the construction of the cathedral gradually decreased, and finally it was stopped.

The Catholic Cathedral of St. Vitus amazes with its grandeur and style. Many famous Czech kings are buried here, among them Charles IV; The tomb of St. Wenceslas is also located here. The chapel of the cathedral also houses Czech royal insignia, and a door with seven locks leads into the chapel. An interesting detail of the interior are the busts of Czech kings, bishops and builders. Obviously, the author was Parler himself.

In addition to St. Vitus Cathedral, there is a famous art gallery on the territory of Prague Castle.

The core of the fine art collection is made up of paintings collected by the Czech King and Holy Roman Emperor Rudolf II. The collection features Renaissance works by Italian, German and Dutch artists; as well as Mannerism and Dutch and Central European Baroque. The most famous works housed in the Prague Castle Picture Gallery are:

Collection of the Olympian Gods, Rubens

The Flagellation of Christ, Tintoretto

Toilet of a young woman, Titian,

as well as paintings by Frans Hals, Rembrandt, Aachen and other artists.

The Prague Castle Gallery, together with the National Gallery, organizes special exhibitions and commentated thematic viewings with the participation of art historians.

Since 2004, a permanent exhibition “The History of Prague Castle” has been opened on the grounds of Prague Castle. The exhibition was created under the patronage former President Czech Republic Vaclav Klaus.

Various exhibitions are held in the premises of Prague Castle. Here, for example, in 2010 there was an exhibition of the famous jewelry company Cartier, and in 2013 an exhibition dedicated to Marilyn Monroe, which featured the actress’s clothes and shoes provided by couturier Salvatore Ferregamo.

On the same bank of the Vltava as Prague Castle is located part of the town of Lesser Town. Government buildings and the Parliament of the Czech Republic are located here. Of particular interest is Wallenstein Palace, which currently houses the Senate (upper house of Parliament) of the Czech Republic.

The palace was built by the famous Czech nobleman Albrecht Wallenstein (or Waldstein). Currently, the historical premises of Wallenstein Palace are available to everyone. The building of the Wallenstein Palace, together with the Wallenstein Manege and the Wallenstein Garden, form a single complex of buildings. The premises of the Wallenstein Manege are used for exhibitions by the National Gallery. The Wallenstein Garden, also accessible to everyone, was created simultaneously with the palace. On the territory of the garden there is a pond with colorful carps; a wall imitating stalactites, peacocks, an aviary with eagle owls and a pavilion with frescoes. Initially, the garden was decorated with works by the famous sculptor Adrian de Vries, which, however, were stolen by the Swedes during the Thirty Years' War. In 1912-1918. exact copies of the originals were installed in the garden.

Lesser Town is a collection of old streets leading from Prague Castle to different parts of the city. There are many restaurants, cafes and pubs, as well as shops with souvenirs and paintings.

The main attraction of Mala Strana and a must-see for every Catholic pilgrim is the Roman Catholic Church of the Virgin Mary Victorious and St. Anthony of Padua. Another famous landmark of Prague is kept here - the Prague Jezulatko (Infant Jesus of Prague). Prague Jezulatko is considered to be endowed magical power, is the main goal of many pilgrims and tourists. A small wooden figurine of the Child Jesus (its height is 48 cm), covered with fabric, covered with colored wax and dressed in rich clothes, was donated to the temple by Polixena Lobkowitz. The statuette of the Jezulat of Prague was received by the mother of Polixena Lobkowicz, a court lady of the Spanish Queen Maria Manrique de Lara, as a wedding gift for her wedding with Vratislav Pernstein. Polixena Lobkowitz herself was known for her deep Catholic faith and her support of Catholics during the Reformation.

The Prague Jezulatko, located in a richly decorated altar, holds a globe with a cross in his left hand - a symbol of the fact that our whole world is in his hands, and blesses with his right hand. Thousands of believers turn to the Jesulat of Prague with requests for health, peace and happiness, and the Child Jesus blesses everyone.

Perhaps the most interesting attraction of Mala Strana, created in the Baroque style, is the Church of St. Nicholas (St. Nicholas). The church is located on Malostranska Square and is famous for its rich interior decoration and frescoes characteristic of the architecture of the Baroque period. The organ that Mozart once played is also interesting.

One of the symbols of Prague and one of the main attractions of the city is the Charles Bridge. This is the oldest bridge across the Vltava still in operation today and the second oldest bridge in the Czech Republic, which connects Mala Strana and Stare Mesto (Old Town). The bridge was built on the site of the original Judith Bridge, which was destroyed during a flood in 1342. The founder and initiator of the construction of the stone bridge was Charles IV. The presence of the stone bridge brought Prague fame as a center of trade. The bridge is famous for its unique gallery of thirty open-air sculptures, mostly made in the Baroque style. The 515.76 meter long bridge harmoniously connects medieval architecture and baroque sculptures.

A place of constant interest to tourists for many years is the Old Town Hall (Old Town Hall) and the medieval Orloj (chimes). The town hall is a complex that unites buildings intended for the needs of the town hall, and consisted of a merchant's house, bought by the townspeople, with a square tower; a Gothic chapel built by the famous builder Petr Parler, and medieval chimes attached to the town hall in the 15th century. Every hour, thousands of tourists gather in front of the Old Town Hall chimes to see the appearance of the apostles in the windows of Orloj and hear the rooster crow. Astronomical clocks show many different data, including sunrise and sunset times, dates, zodiac signs, etc.

The Rudolfinum gallery building, built in the neo-Renaissance style, is the next cultural and historical landmark of Prague. The building was built in 1876-1881. to the 50th anniversary of the founding of the Czech Sporzhitelny (savings bank) and named after the heir to the throne, Rudolf Habsburg. The gallery was intended and is used today as a multifunctional cultural institution. In one part of the building there is a philharmonic hall and concerts are held; the other part is used by the National Gallery. It is noteworthy that the Rudolfinum gallery does not have its own exhibition; separate exhibitions are held here.

The main architectural element, towering over the most famous square in Prague and the whole country, is undoubtedly the historical building of the largest museum - the National Museum. The building was built in 1818; Initially, the Patriotic Museum of the Czech Republic was located here. The museum was created with the goal of opening the Museum as a temple of science and culture. The museum's collections are also located in other buildings, such as the adjacent former Federal Assembly building, which later housed the editorial office of Radio Free Europe. The main building is currently undergoing reconstruction, the completion of which is planned to coincide with the 200th anniversary of the founding of the museum in 2018. Moreover, it is planned to connect the main building and the building of the former Federal Assembly, as well as the opening of an observation deck under the dome of the museum.

The Municipal House on Republic Square is one of the most beautiful buildings in the Art Nouveau style. The house was built on the site of the former royal chambers and today is used mainly for exhibitions and concerts. The nearby streets - Kralodvorskaya, Tseletnaya, U Prashnaya brana (near the Powder Gate) - remind us that the Royal Road once passed here. Famous Czech artists, for example, Mikolas Ales, Max Švabinsky, Alphonse Mucha and others, participated in the design of the Municipal House. The halls of the Municipal House host the traditional Prague Spring music festival, as well as classical music concerts. Some rooms in the building are rented out for representative events. On the ground floor of the building there is a French restaurant and cafe. The interior decoration of the building is made mostly in a patriotic style.

The Municipal House is not the only representative of Art Nouveau architecture in Prague. The Holešovice exhibition area was built for the Jubilee County Exhibition in 1891 and is adjacent to Stromovka Park. The main building of the entire area is the Industrial Palace. The building is constructed of a steel structure with large windows providing an abundance of light. On the territory of the area, among other objects, there are the famous singing Křížíkov fountains. The mesmerizing play of water in the light of reflective lighting is especially beautiful and effective in the evening hours. There is an amphitheater for spectators, from where you can watch interesting performances every day against the backdrop of the Křížíkov fountains.

Not far from the Exhibition area is the building of the Exhibition Palace, where the exhibitions of the National Gallery in Prague are located. Previously, the building was used for commercial purposes, there were also shops and cafes here. After a fire in the 70s of the last century, the National Gallery received the building. Mostly collections of contemporary art are presented here. The architecture of the building is made in the style of functionalism.

Most Czechs know the Exhibition Area as the site of the traditional Matvey pilgrimage festival. Although the tradition comes from the traditional pilgrimage to the Church of St. Matvey (Matthew), these days the Matej pilgrimage is an amusement park, a fair of trinkets, sweets and attractions.

If you visit the Holešovice Exhibition Grounds and walk through Stromovka Park, then crossing the bridge you can get to the Troy Castle. The castle was built in Baroque style and is surrounded by a park. In 1922, the castle, along with other objects on the territory, was donated to the Czechoslovak state by the last private owner, Alois Svoboda. His main condition was that the castle be used for cultural and educational purposes. Currently, it houses the fine art collections of the Prague City Gallery, predominantly Czech modernist, expressionist and neoclassical artists; interesting and valuable paintings by Antonin Slavichek (Czech Renoir), Antonin Hitussi (Czech Shishkin) and Vaclav Spala. The building houses a wine library, and not far from the castle is the vineyard of St. Clare. The castle is also adjacent to a zoo and a botanical garden.

Returning from Troy Castle to the Prague part of Holešovice, it is worth visiting the largest park in Prague, Stromovka. The park was founded in the 13th century as a Royal Reserve. The Royal Viceroy's Hunting Pavilion is located here. The park has been publicly accessible to visitors since 1804. On the territory of the park there is a pond, sports and children's playgrounds, as well as alleys and green spaces. Unfortunately, the park was heavily damaged by floods in 2002.

Not far from Stromovka, there is another park - Letensky Garden. The building of the Brussels Pavilion of Expo 58 is located on its territory. The park, located on the banks of the Vltava, offers a picturesque view of the entire hundred-towered Prague, Prague bridges, the television tower and Prague Castle. Taking a walk through the Letensky Garden, you can get to Prague Castle, which will take no more than one hour. On the way, you can stop at the Ganava Pavilion, relax with a cup of coffee and enjoy the panorama.

One more park is worth noting, although it is located a little outside of Prague. Pruhonice Park covers 250 hectares and was founded in 1885 by Count Arnošt Emanuel Silva Tarouca. The founder devoted most of his life to park work. He managed to create a unique composition of local flora and exotic plants. The park has special viewing platforms and tourist paths, and contains valuable dendrological exhibits. There is also a botanical garden here. The park is especially magnificent during the flowering period of rhododendrons.

In the opposite part of Prague is the Divokaja Sarka nature reserve. The park got its name from the name of the ancient settlement of Sharka, the remains of which can be found on the territory of the park. From Sharka you can take a walk to Stromovka Park. Sharka has been a national reserve since 1995 and is of interest both in summer and winter.

Prague is, of course, a famous cultural center. There are many small and large theaters of various genres and styles operating here. The main theater of the country is the National Theater. Being a historical heritage, the building of the National Theater was built in the neo-Renaissance style. The idea of ​​building the theater belongs to Czech patriots. For its construction, a fundraiser was announced, in which the public, city authorities, the Czech nobility, the Emperor of Austria-Hungary Franz Joseph and the Emperor of the Russian Empire widely participated. Famous Czech artists took part in the design of the theater. The theater was opened in 1881. Emperor Franz Joseph I also attended the premiere of Bedřich Smetana's opera Libuše and left an entry in a memorial book in Czech. However, literally two months after the premiere, the theater was significantly damaged during a fire. A fundraiser was again announced for the repairs, and in a very short time they managed to collect a million gold pieces. The theater was successfully renovated and reopened for the season in 1883.

Theatrical Prague is integrally connected with the name of the brilliant composer Mozart. It was here at the Estates Theater in 1787 that Mozart personally conducted the orchestra at the premiere of the opera Don Giovanni. The theater is one of the oldest theaters in Europe, but it became especially famous thanks to the opera Don Giovanni by Mozart. A building in the classicist style with a rich interior is located in the very center of Prague; the theater's repertoire is still predominantly classical.

The Estates Theater and the Opera are part of the National Theater. The opera building, unfortunately, is cut off from Wenceslas Square by the motorway. It is located near the national museum building and the main railway station. Previously, the building housed the New German Theater. Thanks to its neo-Rococo style interior, the Opera is one of the most beautiful theaters in Europe. On the stage opera house For example, Enrico Caruso and Richard Strauss performed. Every year the Opera Ball is held in the Opera building, where all the “cream of society” gather. Traditionally, on the last day of the year, December 31, the Opera performs The Bat. After the end of the performance, the spectators' ball and New Year's Eve begins.

Prague cafes

The life of not a single large city, not a single self-respecting capital, can do without cafes and without coffee.

Coffee was brought to Prague by Gerzman Chernin and Kryshtof Garant back in the 16th century, but the first coffee seller in Prague was in the 18th century a certain Arab Khatala from Damascus, known under the name Arab or Deodatus. At first he sold coffee right on the street, but soon opened the first Prague cafe, At the Golden Snake. Although Prague is the capital of the Czech Republic, the first cafe in the Czech Republic opened not in Prague at all, but in the capital of Moravia, Brno.

Today, the most popular way of making coffee in the Czech Republic is the so-called “Turk” or “Turkish coffee”. However, when you come to visit or look into a provincial restaurant, do not rush to order “Turk” for yourself. In fact, this method of making coffee has nothing in common with real coffee brewed “Turkish style”. In the Czech Republic, this simply means ground coffee filled with water. Times are changing, today coffee machines are available, and in a cafe you can safely order real Italian espresso

Coffee culture is intrinsically linked to the café tradition. The Prague cafes Slavia, Savoy, Imperial, Grand Café Orient and Myšak are interesting from the point of view of architecture and history.

Cafe Slavia is located in a corner building on National Street, close to the National Theater and Charles Bridge. The interior of this cafe is made in the functionalist style. Every evening you can enjoy playing the piano here. Café Slavia is a traditional meeting place for the Czech intelligentsia. What to try? Ice cream with parmesan and cognac jelly.

The Savoy Café also occupies a space in the historic building. Its neo-Renaissance style ceiling is interesting. It seems that here you can immerse yourself in the atmosphere of pre-war cafes. You can get similar pleasure in another cafe - Imperial. The luxurious interior and carefully composed menu have brought pleasure to all lovers of real Grand Cafes for more than a hundred years. What to try? Cakes and sweets prepared in the cafe.

Perhaps the menu of the Grand Cafe Orientosobonichem will not surprise you, but it is the only cafe in the world in the style of cubism. The cafe is located in the historical building House of the Black Mother of God, one of the most interesting buildings in the cubist style. The interior of the cafe is decorated in the same style. What to try? Just relax over a cup of coffee on the cafe terrace or listen to the piano playing. The cafe, located in the heart of the historical center of Prague, may be a welcome place for a little relaxation.

When traveling through Prague cafes, it is worth stopping at the Mysak cafe. In pre-war times, the company of confectioner František Myšák was located here. They say that no one prepared such pastries and cakes as pastry chef Myshak. The cafe is located in a historical building built in the Rondo-Cubist style. A few years ago, the tradition of confectioner Myshak was renewed: the cafe was opened after reconstruction, the interior was restored from old photographs. What to try? Ice cream, cakes, pastries prepared according to the recipes of the confectioner Myshak himself. After all, no one knows how to cook them better!

To try excellent coffee of various varieties or even find your favorite variety, you don’t need to look for stylish and expensive cafes. For example, the Ebel cafe chain offers the best coffee of various varieties. What to try? Mexican Altura coffee or coffee from Ethiopia. You can buy the type of coffee you like to take home.

Au Gourmand Café & Bistro may not be the most stylish café, but almost everything on offer here is of excellent quality. The first cafe was opened on Dlouga (Long) Street in a former butcher shop. The original style of the cafe's interior remained unchanged: tiles on the walls and mosaics on the floor. What to try? Foret Noir cake, chocolate mousse and real eclair.

Architecture and style

Prague is a city rich in architectural traditions. Different styles and eras are connected in a special way here. Speaking about architecture, it is especially necessary to highlight the styles of Art Nouveau, Functionalism and Cubism. Why exactly these - airy and sublime modernism next to rustic functionalism and sophisticated and rough forms of cubism? All this is a turning point of eras: the end of an old era and the beginning of a new one. The end of the monarchy and the beginning of the republic. One thing leads to another. Styles change, but their legacy remains.

Art Nouveau (Art Nouveau or Art Nouveau) pleasantly changed and enlivened the appearance of the Prague center. Among the dark and monumental buildings of the late Baroque era, airy buildings in the Art Nouveau style appeared. They are still impressive today: the Municipal House, the Industrial Palace on the territory of the Exhibition Grounds, the Paris Hotel and other buildings. Fans of the Art Nouveau style should also visit the Alphonse Mucha Museum, one of the prominent representatives of this style. He is also the author of one of the stained glass windows in St. Vitus Cathedral at Prague Castle.

Although cubism did not last long in Europe, this style was and remains quite popular in the Czech Republic. The exclusivity of Czech Cubism lies in its expansion into the field of architecture. Prague is perhaps the only city where you can find numerous buildings in the Cubist style. On the embankment, in the center, in the historical part of the city you can find villas and houses in the style of cubism, as well as its variety - rondocubism. The most outstanding building in this style is the House of the Black Lady in the Old Town. There was also a Cubism Museum here. The influence of Cubism is still noticeable today. Almost every Czech admires geometric shapes and patterns. It doesn't matter whether it's a chair or a painting.

Cubism and Art Nouveau prepared the necessary ground for functionalism. The simplified style met the requirements of the new era. Almost every modern building is somehow connected with functionalism. Of particular note is the building of the National Gallery in Prague - the Exhibition Palace, the department store Bilaja Labut (White Swan) or the National Technical Museum. In some parts of Prague, entire neighborhoods are built in the functionalist style. Czechs love and welcome this style because of its simplicity and lack of frills.

Jewish Prague

The Prague Jewish settlement was located between Charles Bridge and Old Town Square. Traditionally, the Jewish population settled separately. At one time, the Prague ghetto was one of the largest in Europe. The period of Rudolf II's reign coincides with the heyday of the Prague Jewish ghetto. At this time, numerous synagogues were built. In addition, the legend of the Prague Golem and its founder, Rabbi Leo, is associated with the reign of Rudolf II. The end of the 17th century brought an epidemic of pestilence and fire to the Jewish ghetto.

Life was not always good for the inhabitants of the Jewish ghetto in Prague. During the reign of Empress Maria Theresa, Jews were expelled from the city. Their rights were restored only during the period of national upsurge in 1848. Jews were allowed to settle at their own discretion. However, the ghetto gradually fell into decay. The part of Prague where the ghetto was located later received the name Josefov. In the 19th century, city authorities decided to rehabilitate the ghetto area. Unfortunately, as a result of the demolition of buildings, a famous Prague landmark has disappeared.

The existence of the Jewish Museum is connected with the history of the Prague Jewish ghetto. The museum was founded in 1906; notably, it survived the Nazi occupation and communist regime. One of the most outstanding attractions of Jewish Prague is the old Jewish cemetery. The creator of the Golem, Rabbi Lev, is buried here. It is estimated that there are about 12,000 tombstones in the cemetery, which has been expanded several times throughout its history. Burials had to be made in several layers to compensate for the lack of space.

The modern Jewish history of Prague is connected with the life of Franz Kafka. His museum is located in Prague. Interestingly, Kafka is known as a Prague Jewish writer who wrote in his native... German language. During his lifetime, his books were practically unknown.

Entertainment

Prague lives not only with history. Every lover of art and music will find a lot of interesting things here. Prague hosts several music festivals every year: Prague Spring, Prague Autumn, Prague Proms, as well as open-air theater festivals. Although the provincial towns and surrounding areas of Prague are alive with contemporary or alternative music, Prague favors predominantly classical music. Classical lovers usually gather in historical concert halls: Rudolfinum, Municipal House and others.

Modern genres are given, for example, to the stadium building on the territory of the Exhibition Grounds or the Sports Arena.

Prague, like any other big city, cannot but have its own zoo. The zoo has repeatedly been highly rated in the world and is included in the top ten best zoos. The zoo's territory covers 58 hectares, and visitors can visit 12 pavilions. The zoo is home to 4,158 inhabitants of 645 species. The zoo is a great place for a family outing.

Not far from the zoo is the Prague Botanical Garden. The Fata Morgana pavilion is unique, in which various types of tropical plants grow. Once a year, the pavilion hosts an exhibition of butterflies, and in the territory of the St. Clare's vineyard you can try local wine varieties, and not only.

No modern city is complete without shopping-style entertainment. Prague is no exception. Shopping and entertainment centers located on the outskirts and in the very center of Prague await shopping lovers and avid fashionistas.

The urban population had special types of urban entertainment before. A special type and typical entertainment is beer halls. They say that the Prague part of Žižkov is a city within a city, with its own culture and traditions. First of all, Žižkov is a city of beer halls, where workers from nearby factories and factories went. After hard work, they wanted to relax in a pub, drink a glass or two of beer, talk with friends, play cards. Many factories are long gone, but the Žižkov pubs remain. The names of the pubs may evoke particular interest and a smile: U Kulatý Báby (At the Round Lady), Bar Žumpa (Bar Trash), U Vystřelenýho oka (At the Shot Eye), Známá firma (Famous Bird) or Sedm vlků (Seven Wolves). Of course, there are beer gardens in other parts of Prague, but Žižkov has a special atmosphere and a special city. Anyone who has not been to Žižkov has not been to Prague!

Industry

Like any other European city, the period of industrialization and industrial development did not bypass Prague.

The well-known company ChKD was founded back in 1871 and was one of the largest machine-building enterprises of the pre-war period and the second half of the 19th century. The company carried out deliveries to such objects as, for example, the Observation Tower on Petřín, or the Industrial Palace on the territory of the Exhibition Grounds. Later the company produced rail vehicles (trams) and Prague cars. During the Second World War, weapons for the Wehrmacht were produced here, and after the war, locomotives and other engineering equipment. After the collapse of the CMEA, the company found itself on the verge of bankruptcy. Currently, the company is divided into several different companies, some of them rent out old facilities (for example, for filming), some were bought by Siemens, and some are engaged in the production of various equipment.

The Prague company Letov has been producing aircraft since 1918. Some types of military aircraft have received well-deserved recognition in the international arena. During wartime, the plant was used to repair German aircraft and was part of the Junkers concern. After the war, the production of gliders and training aircraft was established here. The company currently supplies components for Airbus aircraft.

Not only engineering companies were located in Prague, but also food industry enterprises. For example, the Orion company, founded in 1896 by the Marshnerovs. Initially, the company was called the Factory for the Production of Oriental Sweets, A. Marshner. The demand for products in Austria-Hungary was constantly growing, and the couple managed to build a chocolate production plant. Since 1897, the production of traditional Christmas chocolate figures began here. They can still be bought today. Currently, Orion is part of the Nestle company.

Prague has also always boasted its own breweries. One of the largest breweries in Prague is Staropramen. It was founded in 1869, and is currently the second largest brewery in the country. The first beer from the Staropramen brewery went on sale on July 15, 1871. The brewery was located in the industrial part of the city, which ensured the beer wide popularity and demand. The Staropramen brewery was considered primarily a Czech brewery that brews Czech beer. During the period of national revival this was a particularly important circumstance. Throughout the history of the plant, beer production grew, and already in 1960 it exceeded 1,000,000 hectoliters of beer per year. The company is currently doing a lot to improve the beer sales culture; opened her own chain of restaurants, Potrefená Husa, as well as the Vinograd Parliament beer hall. The goal is to improve the beer consumption culture and support our own beer varieties.

There are quite a number of small breweries in Prague, but not every brewery actually brews beer. Probably the most famous breweries are located in the Strahov monastery, Břevnov. The First Novomestsky Brewery is also known, which continues the traditions of medieval brewing.

Conclusion

Prague is a modern and historical city, a cultural and entertainment center, offering different walking routes. Every history buff will undoubtedly be glad to have the opportunity not only to get acquainted with the history of the city, attend a concert or theater, or stroll along the old streets. Every part of Prague, every corner of it is a combination of tradition and modernity and different eras. Prague is a magical city, each of us will find the part of Prague that he likes best. It doesn't matter where exactly the tour starts. Prague is a variety of objects, eras that make up a single whole and develop further. Prague is endowed with a special genius of the place, so everyone who has been here before wants to return, and whoever has not been yet dreams of plunging into the indescribable atmosphere of the magical city called Prague...

Prague (Czech Praha) is the capital of the Czech Republic, one of the most beautiful cities in Eastern Europe, which has preserved the charm of the Middle Ages. As of December 31, 2006, the city's population was 1,188.1 thousand people.

Since the 10th century it has been the capital of the Czech state. In 1918 it became the capital of the Czechoslovak Republic. From 1960 to 1992 - the capital of the Czechoslovak Socialist Republic, since January 1993 - the capital of the Czech Republic. In addition, Prague is the administrative center of the Central Bohemian Region, as well as two of its districts, Prague-East and Prague-West, although it is not part of them - only their administrative bodies are located in it).

Prague stretches along both banks of the Vltava River. The city is located on five hills, divided by a river into 8 islands. The climate is moderate continental, winters are relatively mild and have little snow. The average air temperature in January is -1.7 °C, in July +18.3 °C. The total average annual precipitation is about 485 mm, the rainiest months are May, June and August, the driest are January and February. The city is rich in green spaces; they make up slightly less than half of the city's territory.

History of Prague
The first historical information about Slavic settlements on the territory of modern Prague dates back to the 6th century AD. e. In the 10th century, Prague became the capital of the Czech state, and at the end of the same century a market square was built in the city. In the first half of the 13th century, fortress walls began to be erected around the stone buildings in the area of ​​the square. By the middle of the 19th century, Prague was an economically well-developed city that conducted brisk trade with its neighbors.

After the collapse of the Austro-Hungarian Empire in the fall of 1918 and the formation of the independent Czechoslovak Republic, Prague became its capital. The city existed relatively calmly until the outbreak of World War II in 1939. Prague was liberated on May 9, 1945 by Soviet troops. Fortunately, the war did not leave any serious damage in the city. In 1960, Prague became the capital of the Czechoslovak Socialist Republic and remained so until 1993, when, after the “velvet divorce” of the Czechoslovak Federation, it became the capital of the Czech Republic.

Sights of Prague
Prague is one of the most beautiful cities in the world. At the beginning of the 19th century, Bernardo Volzano counted 103 towers in Prague and thus the city acquired the name “City of a Hundred Towers”. Currently there are more than 500 of them! The ancient core of Prague is well preserved and forms a unique protected architectural ensemble. The center and historical part of the city are Hradcany (the Prague Kremlin complex) on the left bank of the Vltava River, the colorful Lesser Town, and on the right bank - the romantic and mysterious Old Town (Stare Mesto) and the New Town (Nove Mesto), which is the commercial heart of Prague. These historical sites, plus Visegrad and the Jewish Ghetto, have been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The “common” attraction of the Prague “cities” is the Royal Road. According to the rule established by Charles IV, the coronation procession of the new king began at Vysehrad and followed this path to Prague Castle. In Stare Mesto, the Royal Road runs from the Powder Tower along Celetnaya Street to the Old Town Square and along Charles Street leads to the Charles Bridge. Following further through the territory of Lesser Town, it goes along Mostecka Street, crosses Lesser Town Square and along Nerudova Street leads to Prague Castle.

Stare Mesto, founded in the 10th century. and originally surrounded by a wall with thirteen towers, of which only the Powder Tower has survived, is a real open-air museum. Its main objects are located on the Old Town Square - the real “heart of Prague”, and on the narrow cobbled streets running in all directions from it. On the left are the old houses “At the White Unicorn”, “Sixt’s House”, “At the Stone Virgin Mary”, “At the Stone Lamb”, “At the Stone Table”, etc. On the square itself rises the Old Town Hall, decorated with the famous medieval astronomical clock (1410 g.), on which archangels and funny figures of mythical characters appear every hour, moving to the beat of the clock. Nearby is the Cathedral of Our Lady before Tyn (1365) with two spiers and the tomb of Tycho Brahe, as well as a monument to the national hero of the Czech Republic Jan Hus, erected in 1915 on the anniversary of the 500th anniversary of his death. Here is also the Clementinum, once a Jesuit college, now the State Library, which houses more than three million volumes. After Prague Castle, this is the largest historical building in the city. On the right is the Smetana Museum, whose terrace offers the best view of the historical part of the city in Prague. The most expensive hotels in Prague are also located in this part of the city.

Nearby is the neoclassical Staw Theater (1783), where Mozart's Don Giovanni premiered on October 29, 1787, under the direction of the composer himself. At the beginning of Wenceslas Square, another one of the most famous squares in Prague, there is a statue of St. Wenceslas (10th century), patron saint of Bohemia. In the 20th century, this wide square often witnessed public rallies, and there is a modest monument with photographs and flowers dedicated to the heroes of the 1968 “revolution”. In 1232-1234. Within the city walls, the so-called Havel City was built, the size of which can be judged by the wonderful arches with ribbed cross vaults on Havel Street. The foundation of another landmark of Prague - the monastery of St. Anezka - dates back to the same time.

Prague Castle (Hradcany) is the third Prague district in chronology, stretching along the top of a hill on the high left bank of the Vltava. Here is the majestic Prague (formerly Royal) Castle - the largest fortress in the Czech Republic, the historical, political and cultural center of Prague and the whole country, founded in the 9th century. One of the most favorite places among tourists in Hradcany is the Strahov Monastery of the Premonstratensian Order on Pohorelec (founded in 1140, rebuilt in the 17th century) with the Museum of Czech Literature (1679). On the territory of the monastery there are the majestic churches of St. Roch and the Assumption of the Virgin Mary, as well as the famous Baroque library, which houses more than 30 thousand manuscripts, incunabula and books.

Hradcany Square, located at the entrance to the Kremlin, has still retained its medieval layout, although after the great fire of 1541 its development changed radically. On the square in the Schwarzenberg-Lobkowitz Palace (1563) there is now a Military History Museum, and on the opposite side of the square is the Sternberg Palace (XVII-XVIII centuries) with the National Gallery, which has a large collection of European art. The architectural pearl of the square is the 16th century archbishop's palace.

The front gate leads inside Prague Castle from Hradcany Square, where a guard of honor is posted. Every day at 12.00 there is a ceremonial changing of the guard at Prague Castle with the transfer of the Presidential Standard accompanied by a fanfare orchestra. In the first ("Honorable") courtyard of the City there is the famous Teresian Palace, built in the style of Viennese classicism. The Matthias Gate, the first Baroque structure in Prague (1614), leads into the second courtyard. Here is the Chapel of the Holy Cross (1763) and two fountains - Baroque and modern (1967), as well as a well with a wrought-iron dome - a work of the Renaissance (1719).

In the third courtyard (the oldest part of Prague Castle) is the famous St. Vitus Cathedral - the “calling card of Prague”, an impressive Gothic building, the oldest part of which is considered to be the Chapel of St. Wenceslas, in which this “Czech national figure” was buried in 932 saint", this grave soon became a center of pilgrimage. The construction of the cathedral itself began in 1344 by order of Emperor Charles IV, and was completely completed only in 1929, he for a long time served as a tomb for the Czech kings and Prague bishops; it houses the coronation regalia of the Czech kingdom, which are put on public display only on special occasions. On holidays, an ancient organ decorated with Rococo ornaments (1757) also plays here. Traces of settlements of the 9th-11th centuries discovered during archaeological excavations on the territory of the third courtyard. preserved in an underground museum located directly under the square - a Romanesque church, remains of clay ramparts (IX century) and fortifications (XI century), wooden log houses, foundations of Romanesque and Gothic buildings, old roads and a cemetery. The 16 m high granite obelisk was erected as a memorial to the victims of the First World War.

The Gothic equestrian statue of St. George (1373) and the Romanesque Basilica of St. George (Jiri) from 1142 are the first Benedictine monastery in the Czech Republic and form an integral part of the architectural complex of the square. The basilica houses a rich collection of Czech paintings from Gothic to Baroque. In the southern part there is also the Old Royal Palace (XV century), the entire third floor of which is occupied by the Wenceslas Hall (1486-1502) - the largest in medieval Europe (length 62 m, width - 16 m with a height of 13 m .). Part of the hall was made with a slope so that riders could enter here directly on their horses. In past times, coronation celebrations took place in Wenceslas Hall, and currently presidential elections.

After visiting St. Vitus Cathedral, it is worth taking a look at “Golden Street” - several tiny houses, practically built into the fortress wall and painted in bright colors. According to legend, the alchemists of Rudolph II lived here, trying to find the “philosopher’s stone”. In house number 22 in 1912-1914. lived by Franz Kafka.

In the Royal Garden of the Kremlin is the Summer Palace of Queen Anne (Belvedere, 1538-64) - the best example of Italian Renaissance architecture. In front of it there is a “Singing Fountain”, the falling drops of which supposedly repeat the ringing of Prague bells. The ancient Powder Bridge, originally wooden, led across the moat to the garden outside Prague Castle. At the entrance to the bridge there is a tower, which now houses a permanent exhibition of artistic crafts from the time of Rudolf II and an exhibition on the history of the Powder Tower itself - one of the oldest buildings in the capital. Nearby is the building of the Lion's Court (1583), where forest predators were kept during the time of Rudolf II.

The Mala Strana region was built up in the 17th-18th centuries. under the walls of Prague Castle around the rectangular Lesser Town Square with the remarkable Church of St. Nicholas (1755) towering above it - one of the main religious buildings in Prague, overlooking the Old Town Square. Next to it, on Karmelitskaya Street, there is the Church of Our Lady Triumphant (1628), which houses a wax figurine of Jesus, also dating from the 16th century. The church was originally erected by Lutherans, but after the victory in the Battle of White Mountain (1620), the church “went over” to the Catholics. Among the many magnificent palaces, Wallenstein Palace, located on the square of the same name, also stands out. This is the first Prague Baroque palace, built at the beginning of the 17th century. The palace and its beautiful garden are currently used for chamber music concerts, as well as for entertainment purposes. The picturesque bridge tower offers a magnificent view of the city and the charming Charles Bridge, which connects the Malostranska part of the city with the Old Town, built in 1357 and decorated with 24 statues of saints (dating from the 18th century). On one of them there is a bas-relief depicting the execution of the Czech saint - John of Nepomuk (Nepomuk), who is considered to bring good luck - for this you need to put your palm on the metal rubbed to a shine.

Vyšehrad (Visegrad) attracts with its Visegrad Fortress (17th century), the beautiful Romanesque rotunda of St. Martin and the Slavia cemetery next to the Church of St. Peter and Paul with double towers. Many prominent people of the country are buried here, including composers Smetana and Dvorak. From the walls of the fortress there is an excellent view of the Vltava River valley.

The Prague Ghetto is now part of the Prague Jewish Museum. The Staronov Synagogue (1270) in the early Gothic style is one of the oldest in Europe. Nearby is the pink building of the Jewish Town Hall with a picturesque clock tower (XVI century), and a little further down the street. Hrbitova - Clausen Synagogue, built in 1694 (you must cover your head before entering). The collections of the Jewish Museum have a remarkable origin - in 1942 the Nazis collected here various items of 153 Jewish communities in Bohemia and Moravia for the planned museum of the "vanished nation", but "disappeared" themselves. Inside one of the buildings there is a sad memorial - the names of 77,297 Jews and the names of the camps where they died (the names of Franz Kafka's three sisters are also here). Behind the Clausen Synagogue is the old Jewish cemetery, where there are about 12 thousand graves, the oldest of which dates back to 1439. In 1787, the cemetery was no longer used because it was so overcrowded that some graves had 12 layers of burial.

Loreta is another “tourist Mecca” of the capital. On Loreta Square there is a Capuchin monastery, on the territory of which Loreta itself is located - a pilgrimage site designed by the Italian architect Giovanni Baptista de Orsi. The “Loreto Treasury” is also exhibited here, in which artistic products and liturgical objects of the 16th-18th centuries are exhibited, including the “Sun of Prague” - a diamond monstrance, the rays of which are decorated with 6,222 diamonds.

Prague has many more modern attractions. Petřín is a large hill in the center of Prague, on which there is a park, entertainment venues, a monastery, an observatory, and an observation tower (Eiffel Tower, 1891), which can be reached by cable car.

Troja is remote, but one of the most prestigious and green areas of Prague, with a palace and a zoo. Troyan Castle (1685) is a magnificent palace with a well-kept park (the length of the paths is more than 12 km!) in the early Baroque style, reopened quite recently after many years of restoration work. The castle houses a permanent collection of 19th-century Czech art. The zoo directly opposite the castle is a beautiful and very landscaped area on a hill, where there are open enclosures for animals with the opportunity to freely observe the almost natural life of animals. Here, in the open air and in excellent conditions, a large number of animals, including those listed in the Red Book, are collected. The Nuselsky Bridge is the highest of the Prague bridges, connects the banks of the Nuselsky Yar at an altitude of 40 m, and has a length of 485 m. This is a real engineering miracle - there is also a metro line running inside the openwork structures of the bridge.

There are a large number of theaters and concert venues: the People's Theatre, the State Opera, the Black Theater, the Puppet Theater, the Laterna Magica Theater, the Spiral Theater, Rudolfinum (Dvorak Concert Hall), Municipal House (Smetana Hall), “House at the Stone Bell”, etc. Chamber music can be listened to in the Church of St. Havel, in the Clementinum Cathedral on Mariana Square or in the Church of St. Martin. Organ concerts are held every evening in the church behind the Charles monument near Charles Bridge.

Prague is also proud of its restaurants, which in themselves can be considered landmarks of the capital - they have preserved the unique spirit of the old capital, and at the same time have excellent cuisine. Restaurant "U Fleku" is the oldest and most famous beer hall in the city (founded in 1499), famous for its signature dark beer.

Restaurant "Chertovka" is located in a picturesque location near the famous Charles Bridge. It is famous for its bar and terrace on the banks of the Vltava River, which offers a magnificent view of the panorama of the Old Town. The restaurant and boarding house "Sidi" is located in the house "At the Red Glass" (1623) in a picturesque corner of old Prague - on Kampa Island, in close proximity to the historical core of the city. From the windows of the restaurant there is a wonderful view of the panorama of the Prague Kremlin, and from the terrace - of the nearby Charles Bridge. Good places Restaurants "Flambé", "Vojanów Dvur", "Parnas", "Vykarska", "U Kalich", "Zatishi", "Black Pivovar", "Klasterni vinarna", "Viola trattoria", "Club Architect" are also considered for relaxation. , “At Aneshka’s”, “At Kahal’s”, “Vinna Reva”, “Bohemia”, “Vltavin Piano Bar” and many others.

There are many ancient castles and palaces around the capital. Karlštejn (33 km southwest of Prague) is famous for its fabulous castle with towers, erected by Emperor Charles IV in the mid-14th century. The most important attraction of the castle is the Church of Our Lady (1357), with beautiful medieval frescoes and a royal chapel, the walls of which are covered with precious stones. Even more beautiful is the chapel of St. Rude in the “Great Tower”, with 128 wall panels painted by master Theodoric, where the coronation regalia were kept until 1420.

Prague lies on the banks of the Vltava River, the length of which within the city is 23 km. Its waters wash eight islands connected to the city by bridges. In Prague, the river makes a turn and flows into the Laba.

The left bank of the Vltava is elevated and steep, while the right bank rises only slightly above the river level. On the territory of the city, the Berounka River also flows into the Vltava.

Prague is located on nine hills (according to the Prague Information Service), creating an impressive panorama of unique views of the city, not least of which are the Prague Gardens - spacious green areas.

Sights of Prague

The city is divided into 15 districts, which are numbered depending on their distance from the center, and on the map they are located clockwise.

Prague 1 is the oldest district, considered the most beautiful and includes the historical districts of Staro Mesto (Old Town), Lesser Town and Prague Castle (Hradcany).

It is recommended to start a walk through the Old Town from the Powder Gate, moving along Tseletnaya Street, where you should pay attention to several notable objects: the mint building; the house “At the Black Mother of God” is an example of Czech cubism; ancient house No. 2, where Kafka, Faust and Petrarch lived.

Celetnaya Street will lead you to the Old Town Square, famous for its abundance of attractions, the most famous of which is the astronomical clock with moving figures on the City Hall. Opposite the town hall stands the Church of the Virgin Mary of Tyn with its rich interior decoration - a wonderful example of the Gothic style. You can enter the cathedral for free, but photography and video shooting are prohibited. The beauty of the interior rivals the church of St. Nicholas; the style of this religious building is Baroque.

In the center of the square stands a monument to the country's national hero Jan Hus.

In the Old Town, the historical Jewish Quarter (Josefov) is very interesting, where persecuted Jews began to settle in the 13th century. Today it is a one-of-a-kind architectural complex in which ancient synagogues, a cemetery and a town hall have been preserved.

It is worth visiting the building of the oldest European University, Carolinum and Clementum - a former college that belonged to the educational institution, now the building houses the National Library.

Prague Castle is one of the symbols of the Czech Republic, a large ensemble of unique castle buildings, included in the UNESCO World Heritage List and in the Guinness Book of Records. Grad has several beautiful gardens and many palaces, churches and ancient buildings, as well as the residence of the President of the Czech Republic. Every hour there is a changing of the guard of honor near the representative office of the head of state. The best time to watch the ceremony is at 12 noon, when it is accompanied by music from a military band. Prague Castle is a treasure trove of architectural masterpieces, the most famous of which are St. Vitus Cathedral, Golden Street, the old royal palace, Loretta Temple, St. George's Monastery, the Royal Garden and Strahov Monastery.

Catholics from all over the world come to Mala Strana to visit local churches, temples and ecclesiastical monuments. On Malostranska Square, lined with Baroque palaces, stands the majestic Cathedral of St. Nicholas.

In the western part of Lesser Town, on Petrin Hill, there is a tower of the same name, a replica of the Eiffel Tower, which appeared here in 1891. The height of the structure is 60 meters, you can climb it by cable car, elevator or on foot along the stairs of 299 steps. The tower has an observation deck, a cafe, a souvenir shop and a museum of the Czech literary hero Jar Zimmerman. Wallenstein Palace, Nerudova Street and Križovnicka Square are worthy of attention.

In the same district is Wenceslas Square, the center of city life. On the square itself and the streets adjacent to it there are many shops, cafes, restaurants, cultural sites, casinos, and hotels. Fans of theatrical art can visit the National Museum.

Lesser Town and Staro Mesto are connected by the Charles Bridge, which stretches 502 meters over the Vltava and is one of the most popular places in Prague. The 9.5-meter-wide pedestrian bridge is decorated with 30 sculptures, albeit copies, and the historical originals are kept in the National Museum.

In Prague 2 there are the districts of Nove Mesto ( New town) and Vysehrad, famous for their architectural monuments.

Vysehrad is an ancient fortress built in the 10th century, on the territory of which you can see many memorable buildings. It is worth visiting the Church of Saints Peter and Paul, the cemetery and the Visegrad Garden located in the area.

The Vinohrady district of the same district is remote from tourist routes - there are fashionable residential areas here.

Prague 3 is famous for the Zizkov district, the so-called Czech Montmartre, where many entertainment venues and interesting places. Here you can visit the cemetery with Kafka’s grave, see the largest equestrian statue in Europe - a monument to national hero Jan Žižka, climb the tallest building in the country - Žižkov TV Tower, which has an observation deck and a restaurant.

Prague 4 is the largest district of the city, famous for its Folimanka Park with its cascading fountains and beautiful statues.

Prague 5 is located next to Ruzyne Airport, and there are many cathedrals, churches and historical monuments in the area. In the Smíchov area, next to the Anděl metro station, a pop art figure of an angel attracts everyone's attention. In Smíchov there is the Staropramen brewery, where excellent fresh beer is served in the bar.

Prague 6 is the business part of the city, but tourists also come here - there are many architectural monuments in the Bubeneče area.

Prague 7 is known for its picturesque parks (Tromovka, Letná). And in Troy Park there is the Prague Zoo, an ancient castle built in the 17th century and a botanical garden with a collection of exotic butterflies. At U Výstaviště 1/20 you can spend a wonderful evening enjoying the water performance of the Kříšikov fountains.

Prague 8 is a residential area of ​​Kobylisy and historical Karlin.

Prague 9 - residential area Prosek and industrial quarter Black Bridge.

Prague 10 is an area of ​​villas where Prague residents live who want to take a break from the hustle and bustle of the big city. The district includes the districts of Vršovica, Strašnická and Skalka. The first of them is always crowded - on its territory there are many cafes and bars selling excellent beer of various types. Strašnická is a popular place for shopping. Here, next to the metro station of the same name, there are two large shopping centers with affordable prices.

Prague districts with numbers from 11 to 15 are residential areas of the city.

All sights of Prague

Recreation and entertainment

One of the reasons for Prague's popularity is that the city offers entertainment and leisure for every taste - here you will find dozens of concert halls, cinemas, clubs, galleries and museums. Prague is the site of many holidays and festivals, the most notable of which are: the Spring and Autumn Music Festivals; International Organ Music Festival; film festivals “Karlovy Vary” and “Febiofest”; World Roman Festival.

The most famous cultural institutions of the city:

• State Theatre;
• Gallery Rudolfinum (one of the best exhibitions of contemporary art);
• Prague Symphony Orchestra;
• State Opera;
• National Theatre;
• Naperstkov Museum;
• National Gallery;
• Josef Sudek Gallery;
• Toy Museum.

Prague even has a ghost museum (Mostecká, 18) and a sex machine museum (Melantrichova, 18). Those with a sweet tooth will be interested in visiting the Chocolate Museum (Celetná, 557/10).

Numerous fashion shows are constantly held on local catwalks.

At the DOX Center for Contemporary Art (Poupětova, 1), visitors view exhibitions of design and architecture, purchase art albums in the bookstore, and in the Qubus store - original accessories, glass and porcelain products by Czech designers.

Naturally, in the capital of a country famous for beer, a grand Festival of this drink is held. The time for large-scale events is usually from mid-May to early June. Huge tents are erected throughout the city, accommodating up to 10,000 people, where guests of the festival are served up to 70 types of beer and national dishes. There is also a beer museum in Prague called “U Fleku” (Křemencova, 11).

A visit to the Prague Zoo, which has a rich collection of fauna and flora, will remain unforgettable. In the zoo, famous for its success in breeding and preserving endangered species of animals, you will see Przewalski's horse, Chinese panda, blunt-nosed rhinoceros, and a giant tortoise.

Dance lovers will have a great time at the Karlovy Lazne club, and the Reduta Jazz Club invites you to evenings of jazz and blues music.

The whole family can go to the Dinosaur Park (Českomoravská, 15-A), where there are more than 50 figures of prehistoric dinosaurs, and there is also a 4D cinema showing fascinating popular science films.

Shopping

Prague is a heavenly place for bargain shopping; prices in city stores are more affordable than in Moscow, Milan or Warsaw. The city is a Mecca for those who want to buy high-quality shoes from local manufacturers, clothing from famous brands and from the “massmarket” series, glass and porcelain products, excellent Czech jewelry, quality drinks and food.

The streets most visited by shopaholics are: Na Příkopě, where there are a lot of multi-brand stores; Paris Street (Parižska) - boutique district.

The Palladium entertainment center on Republic Square is very popular among tourists, with a good selection of shops. Also worthy of attention are the Flora shopping centers (next to the metro station of the same name) - you can take a break from shopping right there in the iMAX cinema; Arkady (Pankrac metro station); Nový Smíchov (Anděl station); Chodov and Černý (at stations with the same name); Kotva (metro station Namesti republiky). Harfa (Metro Českomoravska), in addition to shopping, invites customers to visit the dinosaur park located on the roof and warm up on the skating rink.

On the outskirts of the city, in the Prague 5 district, there is a large commercial zone Zlicin (metro station of the same name) with many shops, the largest of which are Metropole Zlicin, Tesco, Gigasport. Almost all well-known brands of sportswear are collected at Alpin Pro in Přkop.

Leather goods and shoes are sold at affordable prices in Bata at Wenceslas Square 6. The most popular toy store Sparkys is also located on the square.

You will find more than 50 stores with branded items in the Vinogradsky Pavilion (metro line A, Muzeum station).

On holidays, as well as during the Easter and Christmas holidays, fairs are held in many city squares in Prague, where original products of local craftsmen are sold at attractive prices.

A special pleasure is sales in Prague stores. The guideline for a buyer hunting for a discount is the word SLEVA or the % sign denoting it. A significant discount on goods is provided at the beginning of July and October, at the end of April and December. The season for the most significant discounts is Christmas, January and half of February.

Store opening hours: weekdays - from 09.00 to 18.00, on Saturdays - from 09.00 to 12.00, Sunday - closed, but some large shopping centers are open on this day. You can pay in cash or with all known card systems.

In addition to shops, it is worth visiting the city markets. One of the most famous and large-scale of them is located near the Pražska tržnice stop. There are farmers' markets in every county where you can buy the freshest produce.

For lovers of antiquity, it will be interesting to look at the flea markets - on Tylovaya Square (open on Saturdays until lunch) and near the Kolbenova metro station (open on weekends from 07.00 to 13.00).

Don't forget to fill out TAX FREE for a tax refund if you purchased goods in the store worth €200 or more. Upon departure from Prague, upon presentation of documents, you will receive a refund of tax on purchases.

Nutrition

The Czechs attach great importance to the issue of cuisine great importance, which is why we can confidently say that Prague is a city of restaurants. Prague restaurants are a mixture of delicious food, entertainment and good company. Depending on your financial capabilities, you can easily choose an institution of the right level.

Czech cuisine is famous for its desserts, and national dishes are always filling and surprisingly tasty. The traditions of Western and Eastern Europeans are incredibly mixed here.

The national cuisine is characterized by a large number of meat dishes from beef and pork, and fish is not very popular here. Traditional Czech dishes include aromatic garlic soup, dumplings and stewed pork with cabbage. For dessert there are dumplings with fruit filling and pancakes.

To have a snack in Prague, you don’t have to go to a cafe or restaurant. There are street vendors everywhere who sell mulled wine, hot dogs, Prague-style sandwiches (potato pancakes) and beer. By the way, Czech beer has long been considered a subject national pride. There are about fifteen most popular and famous varieties of Czech beer, and each variety is good in its own way and different from the others. That is why an important part of the city and its culture are beer pubs (hosts), which are presented here in countless numbers. A green sign above the door to the pub tells you that the best beers in the city are on tap here. It is offered with a large number of hearty snacks - fried sausages and sausages.

Of course, Czech cuisine is not the only one in the city. Prague is ready to offer cuisine for absolutely every taste - Japanese, Chinese, British, Arabic, Cuban, Brazilian, Russian, etc.

Cafes open quite early, at 7-8 am, and offer visitors excellent pastries and delicious coffee.

The food establishments have quite large portions, so you can save money by ordering one dish for two.

Tips are welcome, but large rewards are not accepted here; 5% of the order amount is sufficient.

By the way, tips for waiters are not left on the table, but they say how much they intend to pay when paying the bill.

Popular cafes and restaurants:

• Phenix (Smetanovonabřeží, 22, next to Charles Bridge) - varied menu;
• Ambiente Pasta Fresca (Celetná, 11);
• Bellevue (Smetanovo nábřeží, 18);
• Marina Grosseto Ristorante (Alšovo nábřeží) - Italian cuisine;
• Mlynec (Novotneho lávka, 9) - traditional Czech cuisine;
• Sa SaZu Prague (Bubenské nábřeží, 306) - Asian cuisine;
• Terasa (U Zlate Studne, 166/4) - gourmet restaurant with Czech and French cuisine;
• V Zatisi (Liliova, 1) - European and national cuisine.

Accommodation

Prague has a huge selection of places to stay; everyone can choose an option to suit their taste and budget. Here you can choose apartments in the center or in the business district (from $50 to $600 per day), or you can check into an economical hotel or guesthouse far from the center (from $18). The most famous and comfortable hotels in Prague are Josef, Aria, Alchymist Grand Hotel and Spa and others.

You can book a room through our website. The main thing is to take care of a roof over your head in advance, since there are many tourists in the city at any time of the year.

Renting apartments is often more profitable than a hotel room, especially if you come to Prague for a long period of time. Living in private apartments, you will not need to pay for laundry, internet and other services. You will have a fully equipped kitchen at your disposal, which will significantly save your food budget. Apartments for rent can be found on the websites www.prague.tv, www.bohemianbagel.cz.

Residents of the city over 40 years old understand Russian perfectly, and young Czechs know English well, but it is advisable to remember a few common phrases in Czech. This will help save time when visiting various establishments and food places.

When traveling on public transport, you must remember that inspectors in Prague work everywhere, and the fine for traveling without a ticket is quite impressive - $27.

In the evening and night hours, scammers are active at the stations, demanding that you pay a large fine for an allegedly invalid ticket.

Unfortunately, scammers mostly like Russian tourists, so be on your guard, when any official contacts you, demand to see a document, and at the slightest suspicion, call the police.

In Prague, as in any major tourist center, the risk of becoming a victim of a pickpocket is extremely high; their greatest concentration is on Wenceslas and Old Town Squares, in public transport, on the Charles Bridge, near metro stations. It is not recommended to carry valuables in backpacks. Be careful - the pickpocket may be a child or teenager, who is often used by criminals, since in the Czech Republic minors are not prosecuted. Do not carry money in the back pocket of your trousers, do not show large sums to others, and keep an eye on valuables. Remember that Czech police generally do not speak languages ​​other than Czech and are not always correct.

Exchange money only at banks or tourist offices, avoid exchange offices and never use street money changers. In offices, using various tricks, the exchange may turn out to be less profitable than what is written on the sign, and the money changers may slip you counterfeit bills.

Emergency phone numbers: police - 158, ambulance - 155, fire service - 158, emergency assistance - 112, technical assistance on the highway - 154 and 123.

Do not forget that all historical areas of Prague are covered with paving stones, so you should not wear shoes with heels or thin soles.

Prague residents, like all Czechs, are open and friendly people; smile when communicating with them, and always say hello when entering a store.

Connection

You can make calls both within the city and abroad from a street machine; both cards and coins are accepted for payment. Each pay phone is equipped with an individual number by which your interlocutor can call you back.

If you need to call from Prague to Russia, dial 007, then the area code and the desired number. The code for the Czech Republic is 42, for Prague - 02. The cheapest time to make calls is from seven in the evening to seven in the morning, and on weekends, when the lowest tariff applies.

Each pay phone booth is equipped with a telephone directory, which contains both Czech city codes and international ones.

Cards for telephone conversations sold at public transport ticket offices, print kiosks and shops.

Getting online in Prague is not difficult - there is a developed network of Internet cafes in the city, many of them have computers equipped with a Russian keyboard.

There are Wi-Fi spots all over the city, but sometimes the corresponding sign on a cafe or restaurant is just a dishonest marketing ploy, so before you make an order, check whether you are connected to the Internet.

Real estate

Real estate in Prague is a safe investment for foreigners. Prices for it always remained within reasonable limits, never fell sharply, and during the crisis they decreased by only 9% (in other European countries - by 20–23%).

The average price per square meter of housing in Prague at the beginning of 2015 was $2,600, and in the center it reaches $8,800. The average apartment of 60 m² now costs about $150 thousand.

The purchased property can always be rented out on very favorable terms all year round.

Transport

Prague's urban transport includes well-developed metro, bus and tram networks. In addition, there are ferry crossings, a funicular going up Petrin Hill, and water recreational transport. The metro operates from five in the morning until midnight, and on weekends until one in the morning.

Prague trams begin transporting passengers at 04.30 in the morning; their schedule can be found at any stop. Daytime routes cease service at midnight, then trams numbered 51 to 59 transport citizens and tourists. The service interval of night trams is half an hour. Near Wenceslas Square there is the Lazarská station, where all night routes intersect, so you can get to any desired area. From the end of March until mid-November, the old tram No. 91 runs through the streets of Prague; the townspeople call it “Nostalgic”. Those interested can drive it around the city center on weekends and holidays. The tram departs from the Vozovna Střešovice stop every hour from 12.00 to 18.00.

Daytime buses start operating at 04.30. At night, you can travel around Prague on routes No. 501-514; on suburban routes, buses No. 601-607 operate. On night bus routes, the service interval is one hour.

Tickets for public transport are sold at Tabak or Trafica kiosks, at ticket offices or vending machines at metro stations, and at bus stops. In addition to one-time tickets, there are single subscriptions, so-called ezdenki, which give the opportunity to move around the city on any type of public transport for a certain period of time.

A legal Prague taxi must be equipped with a TAXI lamp, and the company name and vehicle registration plate are printed on the front doors of the car. The passenger can find out the fare prices in the taxi salon. At the end of the trip, the driver must provide the client with a receipt indicating the cost of travel. Use only officially registered carriers to avoid getting into a car controlled by a criminal gang that charges visitors several times inflated prices.

The cable car connecting the Újezd ​​station and the top of Petřín hill operates daily from 09.00 to 23.30, the interval is 10 minutes in summer and 15 in winter. On Petřín, in addition to the observation tower, there is an observatory and a rose garden.

How to get there

Direct flights to Prague are available from many Russian cities: Moscow, St. Petersburg, Novosibirsk, Yekaterinburg, Rostov-on-Don, Kazan, Samara, Ufa and others. You can also get from Russia to the Czech capital by connecting flights through Istanbul, Vienna, Helsinki, Frankurt am Main, Oslo, Brussels, Geneva. Residents of Vladivostok and the Irkutsk region will be delivered to Prague by the Korean company Korean Air, with a landing in Seoul.

Train No. 21 departs from the Belorussky railway station in Moscow daily to Prague, the journey time is 33 hours.

There is also a bus service between Moscow and Prague.

The city of Prague is the capital of the Czech Republic

Prague is considered one of the best preserved medieval cities, with a large number of architectural monuments, such as St. Vitus Cathedral, Charles Bridge, Powder Tower, and royal palace ensembles. Beer is another attractive feature of Prague, for which millions of people from all over the world come to the city. The unique historical center attracts photographers and cameramen, where films and TV series are shot; numerous fairs and festivals; romantic walks around the city, which cannot be covered all in one week. Every trip, even along a familiar route, is ready to give new and unforgettable sensations, the joy of an unexpectedly discovered cafe or pub. All tourists who have once visited Prague always return to it.

Geography

Prague stretches on two banks of the Vltava River, and initially consisted of several separate cities, which had their own architectural features, defensive structures, town halls and administrative bodies. After unification into one city, Prague retained its historical division into 10 districts. Administratively, there are 22 districts, but they are important only for the police and government authorities - in in terms of tourism this makes no difference since all administrative units are located close to the center. Prague is located on five hills (according to other sources, nine), between which flows the Vltava and several tributaries. Within the city there are islands, as well as the oldest forest park in Europe. Prague is a unique metropolis in that within the city there are fields, gardens, farms, vineyards and a large number of green areas. The time zone differs from the prime meridian in the summer UTC+2, and in the winter UTC +1. The time difference with Moscow is two hours less in winter, and 3 hours less in summer.

Climate

The weather in Prague is special in each season, allowing travelers to enjoy their trips and excursions. Experienced tourists do not identify a specific season when it is best to go to the Czech capital, because in such an amazing city it is always pleasant to be, walk, drink beer. Summer in Prague lasts from the end of May to the end of August and is not marked by critical temperatures. The thermometer rarely rises above +22°C, and generally the average daily temperature is at +17°C. It may get a little colder in the evenings, so a light sweater would be a good idea. Spring starts in March and has a steady increase in temperature with rare frosts at the very beginning of the season. In spring, numerous gardens, parks and public gardens bloom in Prague. The protection of the mountains ensures low rainfall and wind. Autumn is a magical time when the whole city is painted in all shades of yellow and red, brown and terracotta. The season lasts until mid-December and is characterized by a gradual decrease in temperature to -1-2°C. Snowfalls are common in December. Winter is the time for Christmas and New Year's holidays- the temperature is almost always between +2°C and -5°C. In January and February there is sometimes snow and slight winds from the mountains. Since Prague is located on the banks of the Vltava River, it influences the weather - sometimes in any season there are fogs, cool winds and small thunderstorms. Otherwise, the climate of Prague is characterized by amazing stability and uniformity.

Story

The 6th century is considered the time of the first mention of Slavic settlements on the site of Prague. At the same time, several independent settlements were formed on both banks of the Vltava River. In the 10th century, Prague became the capital of the Czech state, and intensive development of the Old Town began, a cathedral, a market square, and fortifications were built. Most of the buildings were made of stone, thanks to the nearby quarries. Prague was at one time chosen by the Holy Roman Emperors as the capital, which led to its active development. The city constantly competed for the title of European center with London and Paris, even with Rome. Each monarch contributed to the development of the city by erecting various architectural objects - monasteries, temples, fortresses, and administrative buildings. Until 1918, when the Habsburg Empire collapsed, Prague had the status of the second main city, after Vienna, where dowager emperors and heirs to the throne lived. The convenient geographical location contributed to the constant development of the city as a transport and industrial hub, where many manufactories and factories have always been located. It was the Austrian emperors who united the city into one center of the land of Bohemia and Moravia, ending many years of hostility between the fortifications. The First World War had virtually no impact on Prague, since the invaders were quite sensitive to the historical heritage. During World War II, the city was occupied by fascist troops, who did not destroy the architecture, and the Jewish Quarter was preserved as a monument for future generations. During the liberation by Soviet troops, the city was also not damaged, preserving its unique architecture and identity.

In the 20th century, Prague was the capital of Soviet Czechoslovakia and, since 1991, of the Czech Republic. Throughout its existence, education, culture and art have constantly developed in Prague. The famous Charles University was founded in 1347, and then all the kings and emperors founded new educational institutions, of which there are several dozen in the city today. Prague became a pioneer in avant-garde art and experimental architecture - the Dancing House became an example of how new design fits seamlessly into ancient quarters. Modern Prague is a symbiosis of European globalization and the preservation of its original culture. Tourism is the main source of income for Prague, and more than 20% of the population is employed in the service sector. Despite the constant multimillion-dollar influx of tourists, Prague is constantly restoring and restoring its heritage, preserving monuments, creating a new history.

Sights of Prague

• The symbol of the city is Zolotaya Ulitsa (Golden Street), which is rows of small houses that are part of the former wall of the fortress. The street was named so precisely because workshops for making jewelry and gold products were located here in the past.
• It is worth paying attention to the Basilica of St. George - one of the main attractions of Prague. It was built in the 10th century by Boleslaw I. The basilica is an architectural ensemble built in the Romanesque style.

• You cannot pass by the City Library, which is located in Clementia - a monastery with a mirror chapel. The monastery was founded in the 30s of the 13th century next to the Church of St. Clement. The chapel was built already in the 16th century and is now used for various performances and concerts.
• The Bethlehem Chapel, built in the 14th century, is popular among city guests. Jan Hus preached here, who was later burned at the stake by the followers of the Inquisition.
• Another attraction of Prague is the Anezh Monastery, which was built in the first half of the 13th century by King Wenceslas I. The king's sister Anezhka founded the Order of Clarices in the city. Now Anezhka is considered a saint. Currently, the monastery houses paintings representing 19th century painting.
• And, of course, how not to mention National Museum. The building, overlooking Wratslav Square, was built at the end of the 19th century. Previously, on the site of the museum there was a Horse Gate. In front of the entrance to the National Museum there is a fountain, next to which there are statues - images of various parts and the two largest rivers of the country. Even in front of the museum building there is a monument to the patron saint of the Czech Republic - Wenceslas. Inside the museum, tourists can admire statues and paintings made on national patriotic themes.

Events and festivals

Such a great and historical city is overgrown with various traditions and holidays, in honor of which Prague residents constantly organize festivals and carnivals - the most significant of them are celebrated over several days or weeks. Religious and public holidays are always covered with an amazing flair of fairs, general entertainment, and fun. In addition, Prague constantly hosts concerts and festivals dedicated to music, theater, cinema, and art in general. The schedule is constantly changing, and the assortment is very high, since every performer or artist considers it his duty to organize an extravaganza in the historical city of Prague. Making an exact schedule of all events and festivals in Prague is almost impossible, since at any time of the year you can get to one or another celebration:

• December and January are practically two-month festivals in honor of Christmas and New Year. At this time, from December 1, fairs, markets, treats, carnivals, processions and festivals are held throughout the city. Christmas time one of the most beloved by Prague residents and guests of the city, when you can taste traditional food and pastries;
• February - Maslenitsa and the Prague Carnival are also favorite events of Prague residents, when mass celebrations take place in parks, squares, on the embankment and frozen islands;
• April - Easter is one of the most revered religious holidays. In Prague, in numerous churches and cathedrals, festive prayer services are held, and then the city is in euphoria all weekend. Traditional fairs, treats and tables located right in the squares;
• May 16 is the start of the largest and oldest beer festival in the world. For two and a half weeks, on the streets, in pubs and bars of Prague you can taste all Czech beers, as well as from neighboring countries. All breweries without exception take part in the festival, be it the giant “Velkopopovitsa Goat” or a monastery brewery with a limited volume of foamy drink;
• May and June - holding the traditional Prague marathon and half marathon for professionals and amateurs;
• summer is the time for holding various music festivals of different types and orientations;
• July 1-2 - City Day celebration in Prague;
• autumn - traditional festivals and fairs dedicated to winemakers and young wines made. There are also liqueurs, fruit liqueurs, authentic cuisine, and a lot of festivities.

Restaurants and cafes

The tourist center of Eastern Europe attracts not only with its history and architecture, but also with its original cuisine - dishes that are at the same time refined, satisfying and original. Naturally, in Prague you can visit restaurants and cafes with national cuisines from many countries of the world, but it is best to try Czech dishes, the portions of which even in restaurants allow you to eat normally and taste them. The main food of many tourists is beer, but besides it, the Czech capital has a lot of interesting and tasty things to do. What you must try in Prague:

• meat dishes - traditional goulash, ribs in honey, lamb with lemon, duck, sausages. The most popular is “boar’s knee”, made from pork knuckle baked according to a special recipe;
• stewed cabbage is a side dish that Prague residents use with all dishes except sweets. There is a variety of cabbage in every catering establishment - with raisins, vegetables, nuts and other additives;
• soups - there are also many varieties with mushrooms, garlic, served in toasted bread, regular and pureed;
• dumplings - a traditional snack for beer and soups - are now available in versions with cottage cheese, salt, spices and other additives;
• strudel - a Czech version of the famous German dessert;
• pies and trdelniki are traditional sweet dishes that can have the most different fillings from seasonal berries and fruits, cheese, cottage cheese.

Tips in cafes and restaurants are at the discretion of clients, but can be included in the bill in the amount of 10% of the cost of the meal. Many traditional dishes are served right on the streets, in tourist centers, squares, and parks.

Shopping

Prague is always popular among tourists as a place where you can buy everything, but at an affordable price, without overpaying - and seasonal discounts reaching -70-80% attract hundreds of thousands of shopping lovers to the Czech capital. The concentration of elite brand boutiques is Parizhskaya Street, as well as the central shopping centers “Khodov”, “Palladium”, “Kotva”. Here you can buy the latest collections of clothing, shoes and accessories from all world brands, as well as original, and sometimes conceptual, items from Czech designers - for example, Pietro Filipi, Botas, Tonak. But the most memorable will be the purchase of traditional Prague souvenirs, for which the city with a long history is famous throughout the world:

• beer - a lot of beer. Thousands of tourists come to Prague every year for this product alone. There are several hundred breweries in the city, some with a local character and centuries-old family history, while others are known throughout the world. There is an opinion that if you drink one type of beer every day in Prague, you will not try all the existing ones in a year;
• Becherovka - the famous Czech liqueur, which is valued all over the world;
• traditional costumes with authentic patterns and fine finishing. Recently, even casual and haute couture clothing uses national motifs and authentic methods of creating fabrics;
• baked goods - oplatki, trdelniki, vanochki - simple and delicious desserts with a variety of fillings;
• souvenir products with the famous Czech mole from the cartoon - a real symbol of Prague. Mole Krtek is printed on T-shirts, caps, cups, posters and other things;
• Bohemian glass and porcelain - original, richly decorated. The shops offer both dishes and sets, as well as designer figurines and figurines. The most common ornaments are floral, animal, and the so-called “tsibulak”;
• beer-based cosmetics - Czechs even take care of their health, not forgetting about the traditional foamy drink;
• jewelry made from garnet and vltavin (moldavite) - the latter is mined only on the banks of the Vltava and is highly valued. Even the Queen of England has a tiara with vltavins. It is worth noting that prices for jewelry more than democratic;
• standard souvenirs - figurines, magnets, figurines depicting famous personalities or iconic places in Prague.

How to get to Prague?

Traveling to Prague from Moscow or any other major Russian city is not that difficult, given that the Czech Republic is located in Central Europe. The main means of delivery, of course, is aviation. Most airlines operate flights to Prague from Moscow, Kazan, St. Petersburg, and Yekaterinburg. The Czech capital has a large airport named after Vaclav Havel, as well as small Ruzyne and Vodochody, which are recognized as one of the best in central and eastern Europe. The second option to get to Prague is by train. True, this choice will require spending more than a day in the carriage, but the trains arrive at the beautiful Main Railway Station, located in the very center of the city. From Moscow the train departs from Belorussky Station. A very popular type of travel is by bus. One of Prague's largest bus stations, Florence, is located next to the metro and tram stations of the same name, allowing you to quickly get to your hotel or hostel. International bus services are available to all major European cities. You can also get to Prague by car - the quality of the roads is very good, and the Czech capital itself is located at the intersection of major highways of national and pan-European importance. When traveling by car, you need to remember about parking restrictions in the center of Prague, as well as about numerous traffic jams in the city itself.

Transport

Prague can be confidently called an ideal city with an excellent public transport system, presented in all its diversity. Most land transport routes are designed in such a way as to cross the Czech capital from one end to the other, with a stop at central areas. In Prague there is a single passenger ticket for all types of regular public transport - the cost depends on the validity period, from 30 minutes to several days. The travel document is validated once and then presented for control when switching from one mode of transport to another. A very convenient Praha Card, which provides favorable conditions for traveling around the city, which is not very large in size. The following types of public transport operate in Prague:

• metro - consists of three lines and connects the most significant objects of the center with the suburbs. From almost any residential area of ​​Prague you can get to the center in 15-20 minutes;
• tram is an almost traditional form of ground transport with very extensive routes, most of which are trans-urban. There are several night routes in Prague, so there will be no problems with a trip to the hotel;
• bus - not so popular, and serves mainly as additional means movement, delivering passengers to key tram and metro hubs;
• The river bus is essentially a crossing over the Vltava River, which connects two parts of the city. There is even a special ferry for cyclists;
• funicular - operates from May to August and takes passengers to Petrin Hill;
• Taxi is also a fairly common method of transportation. It is best to call a car from a hotel, restaurant, or by mobile phone. Taxi drivers caught on the street are guaranteed to jack up prices and take you in roundabout ways;
• Renting a car is a profitable and inexpensive pleasure, since in Prague there is room to travel between districts, and sometimes to visit numerous picturesque suburbs. The only point is that in the Czech capital there is no ring road and all traffic flow goes through the streets and avenues, so on weekdays traffic is quite difficult and there are often traffic jams.

A distinctive feature of Prague that our tourists like so much is the clarity of public transport. It travels on time, at specified intervals, and all the information is on the boards, which are located near the stops - planning trips is very simple, even with a limited amount of time.

Accommodation

Since Prague is very attractive in terms of tourism, the city has several hundred hotels of different star ratings, with an excellent level of service. At least two hotels annually receive top scores in some prestigious hotel award. For example, Riverside Hotel and Hotel la Palais. Hotels from the Hilton, Radisson, Holiday Inn, and Four Seasons chains are also popular. Many hotels are located in buildings of historical value, where they have been located for several centuries. Service in all areas is always at the highest level, regardless of whether it is a 5 or 3 star hotel. Prague is rapidly developing in the area of ​​affordable housing for students or ordinary travelers - there are countless hostels, apartments and apart-hotels in Prague, and they are located throughout the city. Even a small place to stay in a residential area deserves attention, since they are located near metro and tram stations - and it only takes 15-20 minutes to get to the center from anywhere in Prague. The service for renting apartments while traveling is well developed - decent finishing and furnishings, all the necessary equipment, affordable prices, and many more advantages of living in rented apartments. Prices in supermarkets are quite reasonable and there will be no problems with preparing food yourself.

Connection

The Czech capital has always been a unique city where amazing things come together. For example, this is the last city in the world where pneumatic mail operates, as well as the first to create mobile points for distributing free Wi-Fi. In Prague you can meet people dressed in bright T-shirts with slogans - these will be mobile Internet distribution points. In Prague, you can connect to the worldwide network for free at most public transport stops, the number of which is constantly increasing, as well as in cafes, restaurants, hotels, shopping and entertainment centers, parks, museums. A regular landline telephone also operates along with this, and there are also payphones on the streets. Among the mobile operators offering competitive rates are Vodafone, T-Mobile, O2. It is best to take a SIM card with replenishment, without a monthly fee - in this case, upon completion of the trip and there is no money deposited, it automatically ceases to be valid.

1. Prague has a very well developed public transport network. All municipal transport runs strictly on schedule. To travel, you must purchase a ticket that allows you to make a transfer within 30 and 90 minutes and costs 24 and 32 crowns, respectively.

2. Be extremely careful when paying for taxi fares. Local taxi drivers often take advantage of passengers' inattention and cheat them.
3. When going to the capital of the Czech Republic, you should definitely take a phrasebook with you. You can communicate with Czechs if you know Russian, basic words in Czech and a little English. Don’t forget about translating restaurant menus and the map of metro and tram routes. A JPS navigator will also be useful.
4. Currency exchange transactions are best carried out in banks or government exchange offices - they have the most favorable rates. Using ATMs, you can withdraw money from your account up to CZK 1,000. In city establishments you can also pay in euros, but at a reduced rate.
5. Hotel rooms should be booked in advance by telephone or via the Internet. It is best to look for a hotel as close to the center as possible. To conduct a tour, you can invite a guide or walk around the city unaccompanied.
6. There are a lot of food establishments in Prague (bars, cafes, restaurants). However, it is worth considering that the closer to the city center the establishment is, the higher its prices. Once you move away from the center to the next street, you will be amazed at the sharp drop in prices.
7. In Prague, the weather changes quite often during the day, so when going for a walk or excursion, do not forget to take an umbrella with you. You can borrow an umbrella from the hotel.
8. Due to the fact that the streets in Prague are paved with stone, it is best to leave high-heeled shoes at the hotel, and walk in comfortable sneakers or ballet shoes.
9. Tipping in Prague is about 10% of the cost of the service and is usually immediately included in the bill. It is also customary to leave a small tip for taxi drivers, receptionists or guides.
10. It is better to go to the capital of the Czech Republic in January during the New Year holidays. During this time, there are discounts on hotels and city tours. However, in January it is usually quite cold here, so you need to dress warmly.

Prague on the map, panorama

Princes, kings, emperors, famous magicians and beautiful ladies are real characters in the history of Prague. Even the very origin of Prague is shrouded in legends. It is considered more or less reliable that at the end of the 9th century. built by a prince from the Slavic tribe of Czechs and the Přemyslid family. Until 1306, when King Wenceslas III was assassinated, this dynasty ruled the Czech Republic.
Wenceslas's sister, Princess Eliska, had to flee Prague Castle in disguise in order to marry John of Luxembourg in 1310, who became the Czech king in 1311. Jan received the nickname “foreign king” in the Czech Republic, because during the 20 years of his reign he spent barely a year in the country. But the rest of Europe knew this hero-knight, who took part in many tournaments and battles. Already blind, Jan died in the Battle of Crecy (1346), ordering his squires to put him on a horse, give him a spear in his hand and point it towards the enemy army. Although the heroic lifestyle of the king greatly glorified the Czech Republic, the country almost went bankrupt under him.
But Jan became the father of the most beloved and famous Czech king, Charles, who was named Wenceslas at birth (1316-1378). Charles began to rule the Czech Republic in 1341, when his father became completely blind, and was enthroned in 1347 as Charles I.
In 1355, already under the name of Charles IV, the Czech king was crowned in Rome as Holy Roman Emperor. At the same time, Charles made Prague the capital of the empire. This monarch clearly cared more about the Czech kingdom than about the empire. Italian masters came to Prague and literally transformed the city. It was under Charles IV that rapid construction began - the stone Prague Castle, St. Vitus Cathedral, Charles Bridge - the legacy of this “golden age”. At the same time, the University of Prague was opened - the first in Central Europe.
The new “golden age” for Prague is associated with Emperor Rudolf II of Habsburg (1522-1612), who in 1583 moved the seat of the court from Vienna to Prague. This emperor, who was fond of astronomy and occult sciences, made Prague one of the cultural centers of Europe, inviting famous artists, architects and scientists to his court. At the same time, the term “Rudolfin art” arose, which is considered the predecessor of Baroque.
In the 20th century Prague had to endure fascist occupation from May 15, 1939 until May 9, 1945, when the Red Army liberated the city, which rebelled against the Nazis on May 5. Prague becomes the capital of socialist Czechoslovakia.
From January 5 to August 20, 1968, events called the Prague Spring took place in Prague. The country's leadership, led by Alexander Dubcek, announced the creation of “socialism with a human face” and advocated the democratization of public life. The Prague Spring ended with the introduction of troops from the Warsaw Pact countries into the country. 72 people died then.
The “Velvet Revolution,” which overthrew the communist regime in the fall of 1989, did not result in human casualties. After the division of the country into the Czech Republic and Slovakia, Prague became the capital of the Czech Republic on January 1, 1993.

Capital of the Czech Republic

The Vltava River flows through the capital of the Czech Republic - Prague. Its length within the city limits is about 30 km, reaching a width of 300 m at its widest part. The cities that today have become part of Prague developed over centuries on both banks of the Vltava.
In Prague everyone architectural style acquires a unique local flavor.

An architectural pearl of Europe, Prague surprises with the abundance of buildings in the Gothic style. In fact, most of the Prague Gothic, founded or built in the 14th century, subsequently underwent considerable changes. But apparently, the architects thought that Gothic style suited the city very well, and therefore, while modifying this style, they preserved it and even multiplied it.
One can only marvel at the talent and tenacity of the Czech craftsmen who built one of the main attractions of Prague and the Czech Republic, St. Vitus Cathedral. This amazing building (124 m in height!) was created over almost 600 years - from 1344 to 1929. In the cathedral, founded under Charles of Luxembourg (by 1344, who actually ruled the country), some of the stained glass windows in the 20th century. created by the famous Czech artist Alphonse Mucha. Today, the cathedral, which was returned to the Catholic Church in 2006, hosts the country's main religious services; many rulers of the Czech Republic are buried here and coronation regalia are kept. And if you climb 300 stone steps, then from the observation deck of the cathedral you can enjoy a beautiful view of Prague from Hradcany Square.
Golden Street in Prague Castle with two-story houses built into the arches of the former fortress wall, as if it came unchanged from the Middle Ages. One of the legends about its name is that alchemists lived here, who were supposed to discover a recipe for making gold.
The Vltava flows gracefully through Prague. The river runs right through the middle of the city. On its right bank there are Nove Mesto, Vysehrad, Josefov, on the left - Prague Castle, Hradcany and Mala Strana. These once independent cities officially united in 1784.
Until 1842, the Charles Bridge was the only bridge connecting the banks of the Vltava. The construction of this magnificent Gothic structure began in 1357, on July 9, at 5:31 am. Such an incomprehensible accuracy of the information that has reached us six centuries later is explained by the fact that this date was adopted on the advice of astrologers. The bridge, 515 m long and 10 m wide, was built over 100 years, and its construction is shrouded in legends. However, almost all historical buildings in Prague have their own legends.
At the end of the 17th - beginning of the 18th century. the bridge is decorated with statues of Catholic saints. True, most of the sculptures are now kept in the Lapidary of the National Museum, and there are copies of them on the bridge. The bronze sculpture of St. John of Nepomuk, standing next to the place where the saint was thrown into the water, is the most popular among tourists. According to legend, John of Nepomuk (1350-1393) died because he refused to tell the king the secret of his wife’s confession.
A feature of the architectural appearance of Prague has become eclecticism - a combination of features of different styles in one building. Thus, in Gothic cathedrals one can discern features of Baroque and Rococo, and even Prague managed to introduce lines of Art Nouveau into strict Cubism. To seriously get to know even the main attractions of Prague, you need to stay here for a long time. It is not for nothing that UNESCO included the entire 5 central historical districts of the city among the world cultural heritage sites, as an architectural and historical reserve (1993).

general information

Capital of the Czech Republic, until January 1, 1993 - the capital of the Czechoslovak Socialist Republic (Czechoslovak Socialist Republic).

Administrative division: administrative center of the Central Bohemian Region and two of its districts - Prague-East and Prague-West (not included in the region or in the districts); divided into 22 administrative districts.
Language: Czech (state), Slovak, German, Russian and English are also common.

Religion: according to the 2001 census, 67% of residents are atheists, 8% are undecided. Of the believers, about 70% are Catholics.

Currency unit: Czech crown.

International Airport: Ruzine.

Numbers

Area: 496 km2.

Population: 1,222,000 people (2008).
Population density: 2463.7 people/km 2 .

Economy

GDP per capita in Prague is twice the average for the Czech Republic. 21% of the national GDP is produced here. 60% of the city's total income comes from the tourism business.

Also developed: metallurgy, mechanical engineering, automotive industry; printing, chemical, textile, clothing and food industries.

Climate and weather

Moderate continental: mild winters and mostly sunny summers.

Average temperatures: in January: -1.7ºС, in July: + 18.3ºС.

Attractions

■ Prague Castle: St. Vitus Cathedral, Old Royal Palace, Golden Street;
■ Mala Strana Historic District: Small sharp tower, Liechtenstein Palace, St. Nicholas Church;
■ The Charles Bridge;
■ Stare Mesto: Church of the Virgin Mary before Tyn, Charles University, Old Town Hall;
■ Josefov: Jewish Town Hall, synagogues, Old Jewish Cemetery;
■ Vysehrad Fortress;
■ National Museum;
■ National Gallery in Prague.

Curious facts

■ In 1518, the first attempt was made to unite the cities on the Vltava - Stare Mesto and Nove Mesto were united. This attempt was supported by a royal decree of Louis II (Jagiellonian) in 1523. However, the unity then lasted only 10 years. Only the Austrian Emperor Joseph II in 1784 managed to finally make the former independent cities into quarters of a united Prague.
■ In 1526, the Czech and Hungarian king Louis of Jagiellon died in a battle with the troops of the Turkish Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent. After this, the Czech throne went to the Habsburg dynasty.
■ The most famous Czech composers and founders of the national Czech musical classics - Bedrich Smetana (1824-1884) and Antonin Dvorak (1841-1904) lived and worked in the 19th century. They communicated a lot, despite the difference in age, and it is believed that the work of the elder (Smetana) had a great influence on the music of the younger.
■ Creator of the most unusual literary works in the German language in the 20th century. (“The Trial”, “Castle”, “America”) - Franz Kafka - was born in Prague (1883), where he was buried in 1924 at the New Jewish Cemetery. In 2003, a monument to Franz Kafka appeared in Prague next to the Spanish Synagogue. This surreal work by Czech sculptor Jaroslav Rona quickly gained popularity among citizens and guests of the city.
■ There is a well-known legend that it was in Prague that Rabbi Lev Ben Bezalel created and brought to life the clay giant Golem. In fact, Ben Bezalel was indeed the chief rabbi of Prague during the reign of the alchemist emperor Rudolf II, but the rabbi’s contemporaries wrote nothing about the Golem.