DK Eyewitness Top 10 Prague

162 Pages·2021·55.886 MB·English

by  DK Eyewitness

EYEWITNESS
TOP 10
PRAGUE
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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
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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
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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
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6 ❯❯ Top 10 Prague
St Agnes of
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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
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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
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Bridge
Kampa
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Square
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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).
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Top 10 Prague
Highlights
Historic buildings in Prague’s
Old Town Square
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