Charles Bridge. Old Town Square. Municipal House and Powder Gate. Wenceslas Square and National Museum

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1 TRIP: (PROLONGED) ROYAL ROUTE Újezd via Petřín funicular Petřín Hill, Petřín Tower via Petřín Hill Loreta via Loretánská street (/ Nový Svět street) and Hradčanské náměstí Prague Castle Area via Staré zámecké schody Malostranská via Valdštejnská street Lesser Town Square via Mostecká street Charles Bridge via Karlova street Old Town Square via Celetná street Municipal House and Powder Gate via Na Příkopě street Wenceslas Square and National Museum

2 Petřín Tower (Petřínská rozhledna) is a 60m-high copy of the Eiffel Tower affording great views of the city. It was completed in 20 th May An alternative route to the Prague Castle is to ride the funicular up Petřín Hill and walk pass the tower across to the castle area. Tram 6, 9, 12, 20, 22, 23 12, 20, 22, 23 Újezd Hellichova Loreta is one of the country s most famous places and it s a quick walk from the main entrance to the Prague castle. It was built between Tram 22, 23 Pohořelec Prague Castle (Pražský Hrad) is an amalgamation of architecture from different periods. The most important places are following ones: Schwarzenberg Palace, Sternberg Palace, First/Second Courtyard, St. Vitus Cathedral, Old Royal Palace, St. George s Basilica, Golden Lane, Daliborka Tower and the Palace Gardens.

3 St. Vitus Cathedral (katedrála sv. Víta) is the spiritual heart of the nation as the mausoleum of Bohemian kings and the city s greatest Landmark. Work on the present cathedral was started in 1344 but it wasn t consecrated until The mosaic depicting the Last Judgment of Christ was created in St. George s Basilica (basilika sv. Jiří) is the romanesque church lurking behind a baroque facade in the courtyard behind St. Vitus Cathedral. Golden Lane (Zlatá ulička) is the picturesque lane with its miniature workers cottages now shops. Metro A Hradčanská Tram 22, 23 Pražský Hrad Charles Bridge (Karlův most) joins Old Town and Lesser Town and is one of the world s most beautiful bridges. It was built in 1357, but the figures of saints were added during the 17 th century. The bridge is thronged all day with tourists, while at night it offers wonderful views of the illuminated castle and Old Town. Tram 17, 18 12, 20, 22, 23 Karlovy lázně Malostranské náměstí

4 National Theatre (Národní divadlo) is the lavish neo-renaissance building on the bank of the Vltava river with its golden crown of chariot-driving women. The building was completed in 1881 and was almost immediately destroyed by fire. It reopened in Metro B Národní třída Tram 6, 9, 17, 18, 21, 22, 23 Národní divadlo Old Town Square (Staroměstské náměstí) is the indisputable heart of Prague. This vast open space is flanked by a pleasing blend of carefully restored architectural styles: gothic, renaissance, baroque and neo-styles. The square is notable for its constant hum of activity, day and night, and a long history as centre stage for so many of the city s defining moments, from the execution of preacher Jan Želivský in Towering above the square, halfhidden behind a row of houses, is the fairy-turreted Týn Church. The centrepiece of the square is a memorial to Jan Hus. Town Hall (Radnice) and Astronomical clock (Orloj) this 14 th century complex features a tower with an astronomical clock added in the 15 th century. Every hour on the clock Jesus and his disciples lead a pageant that includes the allegorical figures of Death, the Turk, the Miser, the Fool and the Rooster. St. Nicholas Church (kostel sv. Mikuláše) was built between Peer closely at the copper statue of St. Nicholas above the gold coated altar the two statues below him are of St. Ignatius Loyola and St. Francis Xavier. Metro A Staroměstská

5 Municipal House (Obecní dům) was built between 1905 and 1910 in the architecturally stunning Art Nouveau style. It has been painstakingly restored to its former glory. Powder Gate (Prašná brána) is just opposite to the Municipal House. Metro B Náměstí Republiky Tram 5, 8, 14 Náměstí Republiky Wenceslas Square (Václavské náměstí) is a boulevard running down from the National Museum and the equestrian statue of St. Wenceslas to Můstek, formerly the site of a city gate and drawbridge. Metro A, C A, B Tram 11 3, 9, 14, 24 Museum Můstek Museum Václavské náměstí Text (how to get there) and pictures: Jiří Strouhal, 2008 Text (about the places): Prague in your Pocket Guide