The heart and soul of the Czech Republic, as well as traditional Bohemia, are inseparably wrapped up in the amazing cultural confluence that is Prague. There has been a settlement on the site of the city for over twelve hundred years.
Be Enchanted by Old Town Square
It’s like stepping inside a fairy-tale picture book. The plaza seemed especially huge because of the contrast with the narrow streets leading into it. But size alone is not what makes the square so impressive, that task is accomplished by the remarkable architecture enclosing the space. Standouts are the Old Town Hall, with the world’s oldest working Astronomical Clock on its tower, and the Týn and St. Nicholas Churches. More Old Town Square…
Have the “Time” of Your Life at The Astronomical Clock
Every hour, on the hour, a huge crowd gathers as this mechanical marvel breaks out quite a conglomeration of characters — including Death, Avarice and Vanity — to commemorate the passing of another sixty minutes. Created in 1410, the clock shows time in four different variations, as well as the date, times for sunrise and sunset, the position of the sun in the zodiac, and the phases of the moon. More Astronomical Clock…
WATCH: Inside, outside and topside of the Astronomical Clock!
Eat lots of Delicious Carbs
A big part of Veronica’s desire to see Prague was to find the origins of her childhood dinners. Generations of her Bohemian ancestors had passed down traditional dishes, now we could experience the originals, almost all of which include dumplings. Dumplings are the undisputed heavyweight champions of Czech food and we found them answering the bell on almost every plate. More Czech Food…
Take the Trip to Kutná Hora
In a bygone era, Kutná Hora rivaled Prague as the main city of Bohemia, and several kings took up residence. Silver was coming out of these hills in massive quantities during the fourteenth century and the town was rolling in dough. And, as we know, kings like dough. St. Barbara’s Cathedral dominates Kutná Hora from a hill overlooking the city and is certainly worth the short trip from Prague. In 1388, miners began an enormous project to build this Gothic masterpiece, replacing their chapel that had occupied the site for nearly a century. More Kutná Hora…
Get Chilled to the Bone at Sedlec Ossuary
Words – not even pictures – can begin to explain what it’s like walking through the doors of Sedlec Ossuary. The bones from tens of thousands of people adorn the walls and ceiling, in inexplicable formations. Stacks, pyramids, signs, crucifixes, candelabras and a coat of arms surrounded us, all made from the skeletons of the long deceased. Strings of skulls and femurs of the dearly departed hang like garlands over the arches and doorways. The creepy centerpiece of this macabre masterpiece, a massive chandelier containing at least one of every bone in the human body.
More Sedlec Ossuary…
WATCH: You won’t believe the macabre “artwork”
Visit the Jewish Quarter
When the Nazis invaded Prague during WWII, it was expected that they would destroy the Jewish Quarter, known as Josefav, but instead they decided to preserve the cemetery, town hall, ceremonial hall and several synagogs as an “exotic museum of an extinct race.” Fortunately, their plans were foiled. The area has gone from settlement, to walled ghetto, to near extinction, to tourist attraction through the ten centuries of its existence. And then, there’s the tale of the Golum… More Josefav…
Hike up to Prague Castle
From its hilltop perch the Prague Castle looms over the city and has been home to Kings of Bohemia, Holy Roman Emperors, and presidents of both Czechoslovakia and the Czech Republic since the first fortress was constructed here in the year 870. Heralded as the largest castle in the world by the The Guiness Book of World Records, it feels more like a walled city with two huge cathedrals along with countless palaces and halls within the ramparts. More Prague Castle…
Vow to Return to Prague on the Charles Bridge
From the earliest days of Prague, this bridge across the Vltava River has been the focal point of the city. King Vladislaus II built the first bridge in 1170. In 1342, when the original structure was washed away in a flood, King Charles IV replaced it with the version that stands today. More than just a bridge, it’s a history lesson, a performance venue, a shopping center and a place of supernatural phenomenon. St. John of Nepomuk was martyred here and, by rubbing his likeness, you will be certain to visit Prague again. More Charles Bridge…
Bonus! Be Blown Away By the Street Performers
Street performers abound in Prague, our favorite was an astounding musician using water filled brandy snifters as his instrument. He played outside the Opera House with the skill of a concert pianist… perhaps he should be inside the hall.
Watch: The incredibly talented (and hysterically funny) Peter! He even performs a special serenade to Veronica!
David & Veronica, GypsyNester.com
Happy day to you and your friends.
Hi! I know this is kinda off topic however , I’d figured I’d ask.
Would you be interested in exchanging links or maybe guest
writing a blog article or vice-versa? My blog goes over
a lot of the same topics as yours and I think we could greatly benefit from each other.
If you might be interested feel free to send me an e-mail.
I look forward to hearing from you! Great blog by the way!
I share your admiration of Czech and its culture that after one visit I purchased an apartment in Praha 15. The nightlife especially the piano bars will never get old.
How cool to have an apartment in Prague!
Jana and I would love to host you upon your next Prague visit. Jana is a native of Prague and knows fascinating tidbits about the city and its sites.
Thanks for the offer! Don’t know when that might be, but hope soon.
You and Jana are wonderful and generous people. I love loved Praha and the memory will always be with me. I may never have the opportunity to return but it warms my heart to read your kind offer to someone.
What is the name of the band that plays outside Prague castle every morning?
Don’t know, the band we saw was in the afternoon. Think it was a military band.
It’s called The Prague Castle Orchestra”. They did a tour of the US last winter
Thanks for the info Alice.
Several of my friends have been to Prague over the years and all I’ve heard are great things – so what’s stopping me from going?
This post just encourages me to go even more to see it all for myself, but especially that clock.
Don’t let anything stop you Dale, it’s one of the coolest cities in the world.
Such a breathtaking city and despite it’s unusual nature, I would love to see the ossuary in person! Thank you for the tour!
Our pleasure, it really is unbelievable!
Not only the ossuary but the cathedral associated with the ossuary is quite interesting.
One of my all time favorite cities! You’ve made me want to go back right now:)
Thanks, hope you make it back soon.
I’ve been to Europe plenty of times, yet I keep missing Prague, I really need to fix that.
You will be glad if you do.
I do, too. And yet, every time I see a photo or review of Prague, I want to go!