The orange summer sunsets and brisk chill of winter seem to go hand in hand with a city that not only creates an atmospheric, but also a historically significant experience. Prague lies in the vast Bohemian Basin, sitting picturesque along the Vltava River. A high concentration of historic buildings and expansive viewpoints make Prague a beautiful place to do the simplest of things; walk. There is always something more to see around the corner, whether it will be an avant-garde architectural display or a landmark that sends you back into the city's Habsburg past.
Prague has its roots in the creation of a fortress where today Prague Castle sits. The castle saw its first stone laid in 885, and the resulting mega-structure became the seat of Bohemian kings. From the medieval times, the city evolved under Charles IV, who created many of the landmarks you see today. The city has served as a cultural and commercial European hub for centuries, and the ancient bridges stand as testament. From the Holy Roman Emperor to the capital of not one but two twentieth century countries, Prague has a lifespan that is more than interesting; it is physically observable.
11 hundred years of history will have an effect on any great city. Prague is no exception. The most notable monument, the Prague Castle, entices visitors in, where they will see the St. Vitus Cathedral and the closely-protected Czech Crown jewels shining in the display light. The castle has been the seat of royalty, of presidents, of occupiers and tyrants.
Today, Prague is reclaiming its ancient role as a cultural center of the arts, and that with fervor. There are many concert halls that attest to its artistic history, where famous composers like Mozart conducted their genius. Visitors might wish to catch a show; otherwise, they can opt to see the modern nightlife and sample the famous Czech beer.
Visitors do not find it difficult to fill their days, their itineraries often stretching into the evening. From Charles IV's gothic additions of Prague Castle, the slopes below are home to the Mala Strana. At the district's Church of Our Lady Victorious visitors admire the princely gift of the statue Infant Jesus of Prague to the order.
The city is not want for religious and historical edifices. Back over the Vltava via Charles Bridge, passing over 30 replica statues of the 14 th century bridge, visitors will arrive to the city center, Old Town. In the medieval square visitors will admire the cathedral, old town hall, and the Astronomical Clock, the oldest working one in the world. It might take a few hours to make sense of the symbols! The "Walk of the Apostles" is impressive.
The Jewish community has seen a difficult history, with pogroms and Nazis forcing them to flee. The Jewish quarter, Josefov, remains in the center of Old Town, and the Old New Synagogue is worth a visit. The old Jewish cemetery is one more sobering trip. If you have the stomach for it, the Auschwitz death camp lays a quick train ride away from Prague.
WWII's bombing campaigns seemed to spare the city for the most part, which is one reason it's such a perfect destination for tourists. The Czech resistance can be appreciated in the Church of Saints Cyril and Methodius, where in the crypt a small museum about the assassination of the Nazi Heydrich is housed.
Prague spreads out in all directions. Connected to Old Town is Charles IV's New Town. At Wenceslas Square visitors will find the National Museum, which exhibits natural, historical and artistic artifacts. Also in New Town visitors will come across the Dancing House. A bizarre sight in the middle of more ancient constructions, the buildings looks like a dancing pair, and the French restaurant atop makes for a lovely evening of views over the city.
Views are not difficult to come by in this jewel of a city. If not from Prague Castle, then surely from the Petrinskarozheledna, an observation tower on Petrin Hill that might look somewhat familiar (of Eiffel fame). From high you might spot the Charles University, another of the monarch's additions, which is the oldest higher education institution in central Europe.
The youth enjoy gathering in central plazas or at the city's functional Metronome. The Lennon Wall, filled with Beatles lyrics, tells of another kind of youth, one that protested the communists during those turbulent times.
Prague seems to leads visitors on a never-ending tour of appreciation, as there's always something left to see or do. The Vinohrady district is so named for its previous existence as vineyards. The Museum of Decorative Arts houses all sorts of art nouveau and textiles, toys and art deco. The Prague Castle distracts from the Vysehrad Castle and its cemetery. Eventually visitors will discover the baroque Pisek Gate, and those interested in literary history will admire the Franz Kafta Museum.
Prague's green space provides the perfect way to calm your feet after trying to see it all. Perhaps walking in Vitkov Park, the statue of Hussite horseman general Jan Zizka will give you the chills. The statue's gaze seems to suggest to you that it makes sense to spend a week longer than planned in this wonderful city. Eventually, you will have thought you had seen it all, when actually you still have places like the Prague Zoo-ranked one of the best in the world-left to see.
Prague is not only a journey into the varied and leveled past, but also into the future. The Andel district houses the modern shopping malls and financial hustle bustle so common in the world's modern cities. As capital of the Czech Republic, Prague is the country's financial and communications hub. This fact will not be lost on you, as the city's movement shows you that it's very much a twenty first century player. It is no small coincidence that the annual Forum 2000, a gathering of minds that come together to brainstorm issues of humanity and how to resolve them, is hosted in the peaceful city of Prague.
Whether it be the past or the future, the architecture or the climate, or the beer or the food, Prague is an easy place to visit, and even easier to fall in love with.
