5 Must Visits In Prague

May 4, 2012 Czech Republic 16 Comments 48,634 Views

5 Places You Must Visit When In Prague.

1. Old Town Square.

The Old Towns Spare is one of the most visited places in Prague. No wonder. You’ll not only find the scary looking Gothic Tyn Church there but also the world famous Astronomical Clock. The clock was first installed in 1410, making it the third-oldest astronomical clock in the world and the oldest one still working. Before leaving for Prague, my mum told me that my great great grandfather was one of the few people who knew how to repair this clock and therefore was one of the even fewer people who got his hands dirty repairing it…Pretty cool huh?

Old Town Hall Tower in Prague, Czech Republic.
Old Town Hall Tower in Prague, Czech Republic.
Astronomical Clock in Prague, Czech Republic.
Astronomical Clock in Prague, Czech Republic.
Tyn Church at night in Prague, Czech Republic.
Tyn Church at night in Prague, Czech Republic.

2. Prague Castle.

Of course one of the biggest attractions is the Prague Castle with St. Vitus Church and the Golden Lane. It is the biggest castle in the world at about 570 meters in length and an average of about 130 meters wide. Prague was so tightly bound to what we call Western Europe today, that in the 17th century it was enough to through two catholic town councils and a secretary out of the Prague Castle to start a war; a war that would last 30 years and seized almost all of Europe…

The view of Prague Castle and St. Vitus Cathedral from Petrin Tower.
The view of Prague Castle and St. Vitus Cathedral from Petrin Tower.
Walking around Prague Castle.
Walking around the Prague Castle will leave you all alone in certain parts.
The walls of Prague Castle.
The walls of Prague Castle.
St. Vitus Cathedral is an excellent example of Gothic architecture and is the biggest and most important church in the Czech Republic..
St. Vitus Cathedral is an excellent example of Gothic architecture and is the biggest and most important church in the Czech Republic..
inside-st-vitus-church-prague
The Cathedral of St. Vitus had a tremendous influence on the development of Late Gothic style characteristic for Central Europe.
The Golden Lane inside the Prague Castle dates from the 15th Century and has a beautiful, olden world quaintness about it. It comprises 11 historic houses, inside which period scenes have been created to show the life of the artisans who once worked, ate, drank and slept in them.
The Golden Lane inside the Prague Castle dates from the 15th Century and has a beautiful, olden world quaintness about it. It comprises 11 historic houses, inside which period scenes have been created to show the life of the artisans who once worked, ate, drank and slept in them.
The name "Golden lane" inside Prague Castle is connected with 16th century alchemists, who had to look there, according to legends, for a reaction to produce gold.
The name “Golden lane” inside Prague Castle is connected with 16th century alchemists, who had to look there, according to legends, for a reaction to produce gold.

3. Petřín.

Petřín is a hill in the center of Prague with an Eiffel Tower like tower on top. From up there, you have a stunning 360° view of the city. Sooo worth seeing!

Petrin tower in Prague, Czeck Republic.
Petrin tower in Prague, Czech Republic.
The view over Prague from Petrin Tower.
The view over Prague from Petrin Tower.
Railway up to Petrin in Prague, Czech Republic.
Railway up to Petrin in Prague, Czech Republic.

4. (John) Lennon Wall.

To be honest, we didn’t plan on visiting the John Lennon Wall. We heard about it, yet it didn’t capture our attention. We reached the wall by accidents when walking through the side alley near Charles Bridge – and we were not disappointed. It once was a regular wall, but since the early 1980’s it was continuously filled with John Lennon inspired graffiti. Why? Well, in 1988 Young Czechs would write grievances on the wall and in a report of the time. This led to a clash between hundreds of students and security police on the nearby Charles Bridge. The movement these students followed was described (ironically) as “Lennonism”. What’s so great abut this place is that it constantly undergoes change because people still paint/write on the wall.

John Lennon wall in Prague, Czech Republic.
John Lennon wall in Prague, Czech Republic.
Lover's locks near the John Lennon wall in Prague, Czech Republic.
Lover’s locks near the John Lennon wall in Prague, Czech Republic.

5. The Old Jewish Cemetery.

The Old Jewish cemetery in Prague truly fascinated me; It’s one of the most well known cemeteries in Europe because of the way the tombstones are arranged. Even though the entry isn’t cheap, it’s worth every single cent. A huge must see!

Inside the museum of the Old Jewish Cemetery in Prague, Czech Republic.
Inside the museum of the Old Jewish Cemetery in Prague, Czech Republic.
Jewish Cemetery in Prague, Czech Republic.
Jewish Cemetery in Prague, Czech Republic.

16 Comments

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“5 Places You Must Visit When In Prague.”

  1. Do you know the story of the Golem of Prague? Judah Loew ben Bezalel as the man rabbi in the late 16th century Prague. Supposedly he created a golem to defend the Prague ghetto from antisemitic pogroms. The Golem did his job and then went nuts, killing indiscriminately and even, in one version, going after his master. The emperor begged the rabbi to stop the Golem. He did so in exchange for peace for the Jews. They got it for a little while. There is an attic in the old city where, supposedly, the remains of the Golem attacked and killed a Nazi officer during WWII. Its a city of fabulous history! I cant wait to get back there.

  2. Nisa

    Hey Jim!
    No I did not know the story of the Golem! I wish I would have while I was in Prague then I’d have searched for the attic :) … But Prague is just around the corner from Vienna anyway, so I’m sure I’ll travel there again some time soon. Thank so much for sharing this story!
    Cheers, Nisa

  3. Jamil Ahmad Qureshi

    Cookiesound.com has provided necessary information to me for enjoying the trip which I had planned for seeing the Prague city. Thanks for that.

  4. That clocks looks pretty epic! Great photos, I especially love the shots of the colorful streets around the Castle. Petřín looks great, I love finding high spots to get a bird’s eye view of a city.

  5. Nisa

    Thanks Aubrey! I try to photograph every city I visit from above, because I just love how you get an amazing overview…
    Best, Nisa

  6. Christine

    Among all day trips options from Prague, which one would you recommend if I have to choose one? I will stop over at CK anyways on the way to Vienna from Prague. Thank you!

  7. Nisa

    I’m not exactly sure what you mean Christine. Do you mean a city/town outside of Prague? And by CK you mean Cesky Krumlov, right? Sedlec Ossuary (also known as Bone Chruch) is worth a trip. The church contains the skeletons of between 40.000 and 70.000 people, whose bones have in many cases been artistically arranged to form decorations and furnishings for the chapel. It’s quite a unique place.
    Hope you’ll enjoy your trip!
    Best, Nisa

  8. Aimee

    Hi Nisa,
    Very beautiful photos and great panorama. You should go to Letna Park if you like taking picture from above. One of nicest views on Prague can be seen from there and by the way also great activities and monuments. I found it during my retro bike tours, kind of like a “do it” bike tour in Prague with old bike. If you need some explanations: retrobiketours.com
    Thank You, Aimee

  9. Nisa

    Hello Aimee!
    Thanks for your lovely words and input on a good place to photograph Prague from above. I’ll definitely check it out Letna Park when I’m there next time – hopefully soon!
    Oh and a bike tour is also something I recommend in almost any city, because you get to see all the great sights in a short time. And retro bikes are super cool, so thanks for this input ;)

  10. I will go to Prague next week. I will note them all. Thank you for all these great tips.

  11. You’re welcome Kadir, glad you found them helpful. Enjoy your trip!

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