Table Of Content

EYEWITNESS TOP 10 PRAGUE 000011__TToopp__1100__PPrraagguuee..iinndddd 11 0077//1122//2200 55::3366 PPMM Top 10 Prague The Top 10 of Highlights Everything Welcome to Prague .......................5 Moments in History .....................42 Exploring Prague ...........................6 Places of Worship ........................44 Prague Highlights ........................10 Communist Monuments .............46 Prague Castle ..............................12 Museums and Galleries ..............48 St Vitus Cathedral ........................16 Writers and Composers ..............50 Old Town Square ..........................18 House Signs .................................52 Charles Bridge ............................22 Haunted Places ............................54 Loreta ............................................26 Eccentric Prague .........................58 Old Jewish Cemetery...................28 Parks and Gardens ......................60 Trade Fair Palace .........................32 Off the Beaten Track ....................62 St Agnes of Bohemia Convent ....34 Children’s Attractions ..................64 Wenceslas Square .......................36 Performing Arts Venues ..............66 Petřín Hill .....................................38 Clubs .............................................68 Prague Dishes ..............................70 Restaurants ..................................72 Bars and Kavárnas ......................74 Shops and Markets ......................76 Prague for Free ............................78 Festivals and Events ....................80 000022--000033__TToopp__1100__PPrraagguuee..iinndddd 22 0077//1122//2200 55::3355 PPMM CONTENTS Prague Area Streetsmart by Area Old Town .......................................84 Getting Around ...........................132 Malá Strana ..................................92 Practical Information ................136 Prague Castle and Hradčany ....100 Places to Stay .............................140 Josefov ........................................108 New Town ...................................114 General Index .............................148 Greater Prague ..........................122 Acknowledgments .....................156 Phrase Book ...............................159 The rapid rate at which the world is Within each Top 10 list in this book, no hierarchy changing is constantly keeping the DK of quality or popularity is implied. All 10 are, in Eyewitness team on our toes. While we’ve the editor’s opinion, of roughly equal merit. worked hard to ensure that this edition of Prague is accurate and up-to-date, we know Title page, front cover and spine Aerial view that opening hours alter, standards shift, of the Church of Our Lady before Týn at sunset prices fluctuate, places close and new ones Back cover, clockwise from top left pop up in their stead. So, if you notice we’ve The Astronomical Clock, Old Town Hall; shops got something wrong or left something lining a cobblestoned street; National Museum out, we want to hear about it. Please get at Wenceslas Square; Church of Our Lady before in touch at [email protected] Týn; grand Prague Castle and Charles Bridge 000022--000033__TToopp__1100__PPrraagguuee..iinndddd 33 0077//1122//2200 55::3355 PPMM 000044--000055__TToopp__1100__PPrraagguuee..iinndddd 44 0077//1122//2200 55::3355 PPMM Top 10 Prague ❮❮ 5 Welcome to Prague The City of a Hundred Spires, with its medieval cityscape intact, continues to dazzle as it has for the better part of a millennium. The Old Town Hall’s Astronomical Clock still chimes the hour as crowds cross the cobbles toned Charles Bridge under the gaze of the castle. With DK Eyewitness Top 10 Prague, this well-preserved city is yours to explore. Praguers call their city Matka měst – the Mother of Cities – a reference to a time in the 14th century when Prague served as the capital of the Holy Roman Empire. Architectural treasures like Prague Castle, St Vitus Cathedral and Loreta testify to that former grandeur. But Prague is more than pretty buildings. The city of Dvořák, Kafka, Bedřich Smetana and Václav Havel still throbs with culture, music, literature, theatre – and intrigue. All who visit are bewitched by the spires and the cobbles, the shadows and the tiny lanes of the most enchanting city in Central Europe. And did we mention the beer? The Czech Republic prides itself as the home of the world’s finest lager. What could be better than winding through the Baroque streetscape of Malá Strana, taking in the National Gallery’s collection of modern art at the Trade Fair Palace and enjoying the green spaces of the Wallenstein Garden or Petřín Hill and then retiring to a traditional pub like U Zlatého tygra to digest it all over a mug of Pilsner Urquell or Staropramen? Whether you’re visiting for a weekend or a week, our Top 10 guide is brings together the best of everything that Prague has to offer, from the bustle of the New Town and the imperial flavour of Hradčany to the Gothic splendour of the Old Town and the understated grace of the former Jewish quarter of Josefov. The guide has useful tips throughout, from seeking out what’s free to places off the beaten track, plus eight easy-to-follow itineraries, designed to tie together a clutch of sights in a short space of time. Add inspiring photography and detailed maps, and you’ve got the essential pocket-sized travel companion. Enjoy the book, and enjoy Prague. Clockwise from top: Charles Bridge, Wenceslas Square, Spanish Synagogue, Wallenstein Garden, fresco at Loreta, stained glass at St Vitus Cathedral, aerial view of the city 000044--000055__TToopp__1100__PPrraagguuee..iinndddd 55 0077//1122//2200 55::3355 PPMM 6 ❯❯ Top 10 Prague St Agnes of Exploring Prague Nový Svět CaStht eVSdittru aVslitus GolGdeonld Leann Leane JOJSOEFSOEFVOV BohSBetom Ahigeamn Ceiosa no Cvfoennvtent ayTWthonhheude er rlfut eothxi umieusrr r-ea yyd a owaonuyfed ’aair te mlictn hohae uekropraefe lr tet ihjhe uoiesnsf g twme sfxioo lttlrsro hatt she odeelfpae ywy yoaseoun, eurdtkh tvdeeoiosns pi detiln. a to wnPr or ha-ag vuee . SMtroanShtarosavtheoLryov reLNtoaorevtýa Svět NeCrNautSdehtroPC.eu vraNdSdaasCrtiogPCtca.h lvruhaNelaauesoCigOPtrclhlcauahelhudseloaOPr lRccaaMlohedslay RAacoelLyÁMnaWálaaGmlMnloWalěáesarsaGmtndltrlosíaaelě etsnrnsetndtrsisníaek tnnéesinké VltavaVltavOaCldeO mJCeldeewt mJeiesrehwyOteislrdhyO JMTeloHduww asJMTieensloHluhuwwasmiensllhumPaříPžOSasqlkřduíážOS aTs qSlorkdtueáwr aeT SnoretetwrenetMHuPGnMooiwuacHuPstidnoopeeeiw uacrslidpeearl Monastery STRSMTARNAAALNÁA CBhriadCrghleeasrles MSTĚMASSTRTĚAOSÉRTOÉ Gate Bridge Kampa IslaKnadmpa FUNFICUUNLIACRU LAR Island NarNoadrnoídní Hmoelteršoo svtiacteion PetřPínet Hřínill Hill WenWScqeeunsalcareesslas Stromovka Výstaviště National Theatre Square Trade Fair Palace National Theatre NOVÉ MĚSTO Area of METRO 0 m0e tmreestres 500500 NOVÉ MĚSTO NMautsNMioeauuntsmaioelunmal main map 0 yards 500 0 yards 500 Charles Bridge links the Old Town Dancing and Malá Strana quarters of Prague. Vmyešterhor satdation HouDHsoaeunsceing Vyšehrad 0 km 2 Two Days in Prague 0 miles 2 Day 1 MORNING (see pp114–21). Admire the National Marvel at the Old Town Square (see Museum (see p118) before walking pp18–21), taking in the Astronomical down Narodní towards the river to Clock. Ramble through tiny lanes the National Theatre (see p66). towards Charles Bridge (see pp22–3). AFTERNOON Four Days in Prague Meander through Malá Strana (see pp92–9), pausing at St Nicholas Church (see p94). Hike up Nerudova Day 1 (see p93) – note the house signs MORNING (see pp52–3) – to Prague Castle (see Visit the Powder Gate and Municipal pp12–15), where you can tour the House (see p85) before making your Old Royal Palace and St Vitus way to the Old Town Square (see Cathedral (see pp16–17). pp18–21). Then stroll to Charles Bridge (see pp22–3). Day 2 AFTERNOON MORNING Wander through Malá Begin at Josefov (see Strana (see pp92–9) via pp108–13) and the Jewish Nerudova (see p93) to Museum (see p49). Don’t Prague Castle (see pp12–15) miss the Old Jewish and its Old Royal Palace, Cemetery (see pp28–31). The Astronomical St Vitus Cathedral (see St Agnes of Bohemia Convent Clock pp16–17) and Golden Lane. (see pp34–5) nearby houses the National Gallery’s medieval art. Day 2 AFTERNOON MORNING Visit bustling Wenceslas Square (see Spend time at the Jewish Museum pp36–7), the heart of the New Town (see p49), focusing on the Old Jewish 000066--000077__TToopp__1100__PPrraagguuee..iinndddd 66 0077//1122//2200 55::3366 PPMM Exploring Prague ❮❮ 7 St Agnes of Nový Svět CaStht eVSdittru aVslitus GolGdeonld Leann Leane JOJSOEFSOEFVOV BohSBetom Ahigeamn Ceiosa no Cvfoennvtent SMtroanShtarosavtheoLryov reLNtoaorevtýa Svět NeCrNautSdehtroPC.eu vraNdSdaasCrtiogPCtca.h lvruhaNelaauesoCigOPtrclhlcauahelhudseloaOPr lRccaaMlohedslay RAacoelLyÁMnaWálaaGmlMnloWalěáesarsaGmtndltrlosíaaelě etsnrnsetndtrsisníaek tnnéesinké VltavaVltavOaCldeO mJCeldeewt mJeiesrehwyOteislrdhyO JMTeloHduww asJMTieensloHluhuwwasmiensllhumPaříPžOSasqlkřduíážOS aTs qSlorkdtueáwr aeT SnoretetwrenetMHuPGnMooiwuacHuPstidnoopeeeiw uacrslidpeearl Monastery STRSMTARNAAALNÁA CBhriadCrghleeasrles MSTĚMASSTRTĚAOSÉRTOÉ Gate Bridge Kampa IslaKnadmpa FUNFICUUNLIACRU LAR Island NarNoadrnoídní PetřPínet Hřínill Hill WenWScqeeunsalcareesslas Square National Theatre National Theatre NOVÉ MĚSTO NOVÉ MĚSTO National 0 m0e tmreestres 500500 MusNMeauutsmioeunmal 0 yards 500 0 yards 500 Dancing HouDsaencing House Key Two-day itinerary Four-day itinerary The Wallenstein Garden is free for the public to enter, and hosts various cultural events during the summer. Cemetery (see pp28–31). Explore AFTERNOON exclusive Pařížská street then stop From Petřín, head to Strahov by the St Agnes of Bohemia Convent Monastery (see p38) and to Loreta (see pp34–5) for its collection of (see pp26–7). Be sure to stroll down medieval art. tranq uil Nový Svět (see p102). AFTERNOON Head to the river and walk south Day 4 along it to the National Theatre MORNING (see p66) and the Dancing House View the National Gallery’s modern (see p116). Then take stately Narodní and contemporary art at the Trade to Wenceslas Square (see pp36–7). Fair Palace (see pp32–3). Then either visit the funfair at Výstaviště or enjoy Day 3 a walk under the trees at nearby MORNING Stromovka (see p124). Start at Malostranské náměstí (see AFTERNOON p94). Amble through Kampa Island Explore Vyšehrad, the city’s spiritual (see p60) and Wallenstein Garden (see home (see p123). Visit the Slavín p79). Make for Petřín Hill (see pp38–9) Monument, Casemates and Sts Peter and ride the funicular up. and Paul Cathedral (see p127). 000066--000077__TToopp__1100__PPrraagguuee..iinndddd 77 0077//1122//2200 55::3366 PPMM Top 10 Prague Highlights Historic buildings in Prague’s Old Town Square 000088--000099__TToopp__1100__PPrraagguuee..iinndddd 88 0077//1122//2200 55::3355 PPMM