A trip to Prague: the main sights that cannot be missed

Thirty years ago, Prague was a mystery to travelers in Europe, but now it is one of the most popular destinations on the continent, attracting around 4 million visitors a year. Prague offers a compact city center, a fascinating centuries-old history, excellent examples of Romanesque, Gothic, Baroque, Renaissance and Art Nouveau architecture, dozens of palaces, churches, parks and squares, excellent local Czech beer and food, as well as reasonable prices.

So what is interesting about Prague and what can be seen here in a weekend?

Travelling across Europe on the weekend, we often miss what is right in front of us. Prague attracts tourists from all over the world with its well-preserved medieval center. Sights, restaurants and activities will easily captivate even local residents.

1. Powder tower

This tower, one of the original gates of the Old Town of Prague, was first built in the 11th century and rebuilt in the 15th century. In the 17th century, the tower was used to store gunpowder, from where it got its name. The Royal Route, the coronation route of the Czech kings, started from the tower, through the Old Town, across the Charles Bridge and all the way to Prague Castle and the cathedral. Welcome to the place where kings were crowned.

The Dust Tower is connected by a covered bridge to the former palace of King Wladyslaw II, who rebuilt it in 1475. The former palace is now the Municipal House and remains connected to the tower. Inside the tower, a spiral staircase with 186 steps leads to the gallery, where visitors can get a great view of the Old Town.

2. Dancing house

Prague is known for its centuries-old variety of architectural styles. At the end of the 20th century, the Tancici dum building, created by the Czech architect Waldo Milunic and the Canadian Frank Gehry, is shown. This magnificent structure contains both dynamic and static elements and resembles a dancer swaying in the arms of her partner, the Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers of the architectural world. Located on the banks of the Vltava River and Resslova Street, the Dancing House is a private office building, except for the restaurant on the 7th floor, which is open to the public.

The Dancing House stands in stark contrast to the classical architecture that surrounds it, which includes Art Nouveau, Neo-Gothic and Neo-Baroque buildings. Its ultra-modern design caused a public outcry and discussions during its construction.

3. Old New Synagogue

In the former Jewish quarter of Prague, Josefov, is the oldest functioning synagogue in Europe, the Old Synagogue in Europe. Legend has it that angels brought stones from the Second Jerusalem Temple to Prague to build the walls of the synagogue. Prague's first Gothic building, the Old Synagogue, was completed in 1270 and has held services there ever since, except during the Nazi occupation of 1942-45. The synagogue became the heart of the Jewish quarter.

The Old Synagogue is also home to the Golem of Prague, or so legend has it. In the 16th century, Rabbi Jehud Leva created a clay golem and brought it to life with breath and parchment with instructions placed in its mouth. When the Golem went mad and became aggressive, the rabbi turned it back into clay, saying that when hard times came again for the Jewish people, the Golem could reawaken.

4. Tyn Church

The Church of the Mother of God in front of Tyn decorates the Old Town Square. Among the most famous sights of Prague are the Gothic towers of the church, which rise 80 meters into the sky and can be seen from all corners of the city. Like many other churches in Prague, the original structure was also an 11th-century Romanesque church built for foreign merchants who came to the Tyn Court on business. Today's church was built in the 14th century, although the roof, towers and gables appeared years later. Many works of art in the Gothic, Baroque and Renaissance styles are stored inside the Tyn Church. Our Lady before the architects of Tyn were Peter Parler and Mathias from Arras, who created many Gothic buildings in Prague.

5. Mala Strana

At the other end of the Charles Bridge from the Old Town Square lies Mala Strana. Baroque architecture is the rule in Mala Strana, although its history dates back to 1257, when it was founded as a royal city. The dominant feature of the territory is the baroque church of St. Nicholas and the great Wallenstein Palace.

Palaces, churches, squares, parks, gardens and many other attractions are located in the area. Around Malostranske namesti there are pubs, shops, restaurants and international embassies housed in old baroque buildings. On the Lesser side rises the Prague Castle, which can be reached by walking along the picturesque Nerudov street. Buildings on the street boast heraldic insignia and animals such as the White Swan, the Golden Horseshoe and the Red Eagle. Travelers who want to take a leisurely stroll through the park should go to Voyan or Petrshyn Park.

6. Wenceslas Square

Wenceslas Square, one of Prague's two main squares, is a shopper's paradise. Founded as Prague's horse market in 1348, Wenceslas Square is more like a boulevard than a traditional square. Located in the New Town, it is home to bars, clubs, restaurants, hotels, shops and banks, filling the city with an entertainment, nightlife and business district. Much of the history of the Czech Republic in the 20th century took place in Wenceslas Square, when political movements and gatherings gathered around the statue of St. Vaclav with a view of the square. Wenceslas Square is central to most of Prague, as Old Town Square and Charles Bridge are only a 5-minute walk away, and all three metro lines meet at the square. The Great National Museum and the Prague State Opera are located on Wenceslas Square.

7. Prague chimes

The highlight of Old Town Square is the Prague Astronomical Clock, a complex ancient "orloy" that shows Babylonian time, Old Bohemian time, German time and sidereal time, as well as sunrise and sunset, moon phases and the position of the sun in the zodiac. The clock was created in 1410 by a watchmaker and professor of mathematics. The clock has been repaired and maintained for over 600 years, making it the third oldest clock in the world. The figures of the apostles, which are displayed hourly in the two upper windows, were added in 1865.

When the clock strikes the hour, the bells ring, the procession of the apostles begins, the movement of the Gothic statues, the rooster crows and the trumpeter sounds a pleasant sight for tourists, this sight is worth seeing at least once for everyone. For the most enjoyment, watch the show at noon or midnight.

8. Prague Castle

Prague Castle rises above the city, a larger complex than a single defensive structure. The castle buildings span centuries and consist of a royal palace, a cathedral and three churches, a basilica, a monastery, defensive towers, royal stables, a small alley where artisans worked, and beautiful gardens. Prague Castle began as a wooden fortress with mud walls in the 9th century; by the 11th century it included a royal palace, and in the 14th century it was the beginning of the Church of St. Vita. The cathedral in the castle complex is the pearl of Prague, a wonderful example of Gothic architecture. Kings and emperors are buried here.

9. Old Town Square

Prague's Old Town Square, located between Wenceslas Square and Charles Bridge, is often crowded with tourists and locals in the summer. Czech history is accompanied by a number of architectural styles: Romanesque, Baroque, Rococo, Gothic and Renaissance are represented in the beautiful buildings around the square. High Gothic towers towering over the Tyn Cathedral contrast with the baroque style of the Cathedral of St. Nicholas, while the Old Town Hall consists of a collection of Gothic and Renaissance buildings. Experienced visitors strolled through the square, stopping to look in one of the outdoor cafes or study the central statue of Jan Hus, church reformer and martyr.

10. Charles Bridge

The 600-year-old Charles Bridge, Prague's most famous landmark, connects the Old and Lesser Towns across the Vltava River. King Charles IV commissioned the construction of the bridge in 1357 to replace the Judith Bridge, which was destroyed by a flood in 1342. Thirty baroque sculptures line the sides of the footbridge along with countless stalls, musicians, artists and beggars. A bustling bustling space, the bridge is almost never empty, although seeing it at dawn or dusk means fewer crowds. The approaching Prague Castle is illuminated at night, providing a spectacular view that will enchant all visitors. At each end of the Charles Bridge there is a tower that offers a wonderful view of the bridge to those who climb the stairs.

Next, we have prepared for you the best tips for a perfect weekend in Prague.

Unknown corners of Prague are just as beautiful as the main tourist attractions. But they have one big advantage: tourists don't know about them, so you can be alone here. Outside the center you will find many unique places, but often you only need to walk a few steps from the main attractions and picturesque gardens and large parks await you.

• The Franciscan Garden directly behind the Svetozor passage near Wenceslas Square
• The narrowest lane near Chertovka, in which you need wait for the green light at the traffic light
• Havlychki gardens, also known as Grebovka, in Vynohrady
• A new world northwest of Prague Castle takes you back in time

Each of us can imagine a date in Rome in the iconic Colosseum or in Paris under the Eiffel Tower. But even in Prague there are unique places worth visiting if you are planning a romantic date.

Where are interesting places to go for a walk in Prague?

Would you prefer a walk to a museum or a restaurant? Instead of taking the metro between monuments, walk along Mala Strana or from Old Town Square through Charles Bridge and Kampa to Letna. In addition to wandering around the center of Prague, you can also go out into nature.

• Dubravka observation tower on Black Bridge
• Prokop Valley Nature Reserve.
• Hvezda summer house on Bila Hora
• Rocky valley of Divok Shark
• Royal Reserve "Stromovka".

Where to eat in Prague?

Where to go to eat deliciously in Prague? Whether you are looking for modern restaurants, classic Czech cuisine, breakfast, dinner or popular brunch, Prague easily competes with major European cities.

• Benjamin : Experience a restaurant in Vrsovice, Prague, where you can enjoy a unique dinner made with seasonal products at a round table with a maximum of ten people
• Eska : For the best bread in Prague, visit the Eska restaurant and try something from their menu at any time of the day.
• Nase Maso: Every meat lover will be happy to visit the butcher shop and restaurant Nase Maso
• Local : A chain of restaurants with classic Czech cuisine and perfectly served Pilsen
• Shampuri: an original establishment where you can taste dozens of excellent canapes, the price of which depends on the number of inserted skewers.
• Alcron: A luxurious restaurant with a unique atmosphere and interior elements of the 1930s
• Cuisine: right next to Prague Castle you will find honest Czech food, draft beer, great atmosphere and fair prices