About Prague
Prague is a beautiful city worth seeing. We have prepared some tips for you on what to visit here. For more information, visit the Prague tourist portal.
2022 Christmas Markets
You can visit the largest Christmas market in the Czech Republic in Prague, on Old Town Square from 26 November 2022 to 6 January 2023.
The markets on Old Town Square will be decorated in traditional colours in natural shades dominated by white and gold. At the Advent Market, you can buy Czech ingredients and products of all kinds every day from 10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. (refreshment stands remain open until midnight). The Advent Market is accompanied by various theatre and folklore shows, concerts and children’s performances on a large stage.
Come soak up the Christmas atmosphere in the centre of Prague. There are also other Christmas markets that you can visit during your stay:
- Wenceslas Square
- Prague Castle
- Peace Square
- Square of the Republic
PRAGUE CASTLE
The view of Prague Castle ranks among the most breathtaking panoramas. As one of the largest castle complexes in the world, it is composed of historic palaces, church buildings, gardens and picturesque niches of diverse architectural styles.
The country’s most important castle is perched on Opyš Hill on a rocky promontory over the Vltava River in the centre of the city. It became the residence of the Bohemian princes in the 9th century, later the home of kings and, beginning in 1918, the seat of the country’s president. It was the main residence of the emperor of the Holy Roman Empire twice in history. It was probably founded around 880 by Prince Bořivoj of the Přemyslid dynasty.
The castle’s area is usually listed as 7.28 hectares. It is considered not only a symbol of the city but also of Czech statehood.
One of the buildings in the castle complex is St. Vitus Cathedral, the traditional place for the coronation of Bohemian kings and their final resting place. In addition to many Bohemian rulers, Prague bishops and archbishops, clergy and nobles, some saints are buried in the cathedral. The Czech crown jewels are also stored here. More information HERE.
CHARLES BRIDGE
Charles Bridge is the oldest standing bridge over the Vltava River in Prague and the second oldest preserved bridge in the Czech Republic.
Charles Bridge was built on the site of Judith Bridge, which was destroyed during the spring flood in 1342. Construction of the new bridge began in 1357 under the auspices of King Charles IV and was completed in 1402. Thanks to this stone bridge, Prague became an important stop along European trade routes.
Originally it was called simply the “Stone” or “Prague” bridge. The name “Charles Bridge” only entered common use around 1870. With a length of 515.76 metres, Charles Bridge connects the historical centres of the Lesser Quarter and the Old Town. It is built of sandstone blocks and is fortified by towers on both ends.
The harmonious combination of medieval architecture and thirty mostly Baroque statues of saints creates an impressive whole that represents two famous periods in Czech art. The statues were gradually installed on the bridge since the end of the 17th century, with the most famous being the statue of John of Nepomuk. More information HERE.
PRAGUE ASTRONOMICAL CLOCK
The Old Town astronomical clock is a unique technical monument that is part of the southern wall of the Old Town Hall in Prague. It has decorated the façade of this town hall since 1410.
On the south side of the town hall tower, a special stone annex was built to house the astronomical clock’s mechanism. The astronomical clock consists of several parts – besides the astronomical and calendar dials, it is equipped with the mechanism of twelve apostles, who appear in two small windows every hour (9 a.m. – 11 p.m.).
During the procession of the apostles, other figures on the sides of the astronomical clock come alive with mechanical movement; for example, Death rings a bell, turns an hourglass and indicates to the Turk that his time is up. The Turk shakes his head dismissively.
The Prague astronomical clock is the last in the world today to measure Babylonian (stellar) and Old Czech time. It shows the movements of cosmic bodies and speaks to us in the symbolism of the Middle Ages. Every hour the astronomical clock revives the fascinating theatre of marching apostles, moving sculptures around its borders, with the entire show culminating in the massive toll of the bell at the top of the tower. The clock was nearly written off several times in history, but someone has always been found to bring the complicated mechanism back to life. More information HERE.