When traveling to Prague, I didn’t know what to expect, as I had never been to Eastern Europe before. Nonetheless I was really excited. I was excited over the bohemian culture and gothic architecture, but also the old tyme city feel that my grandpa has always told me about. It was the first stop on my Euro Trip 2015, and it could not have been any better.
I arrived in Prague on July 28th, and stayed a total of 3 nights at the ParkHotel Praha in the Vltavska District. I decided to stay outside of the city, as it gave me a chance to explore suburbs that I may not have had a chance to visit while staying in the center. It was a great opportunity to see what else Prague had to offer, as it was way less busy, and everything was so much cheaper. It was really nice to see Prague from the “outside” looking in.
While using a map I picked up from the airport, I took a bus to the hotel (15 minutes or so). It was very easy to find, however required some walking. The hotel was right by an old church, and school. The school was for elementary students specializing in physical education. I even had the chance to step inside and see what learning looked like for Czech students, as I helped a woman move some furniture. The old church was also very pretty. It was a smaller and less crowded version of the Church of Our Lady before Týn in the Old Town. When travelling down to the Old Town of Prague, I mostly walked, but used the subway a few times. I didn’t expect Prague to be chilly in July, but evenings were brisk, while days were sunny and warm. The walk over to the center of town (Astronomical Clock) would usually take approximately 30 minutes, however using the subway would cut it in half.
Getting around Prague was quite easy for me as I can speak a Slavic language. It was fun to try and converse with people at local shops, and markets. Czech food also reminded me of my baba’s home cooked meals back at home, which of course, was an added bonus.
As a History and Fine Art major, I was really able to appreciate all that Prague had to offer. The city of Prague or Praha had a significant impact during both World Wars, as well as their own Revolution in the 1980s. Despite what many travel blogs had said while researching what to do in Prague, art was everywhere in the city. I absolutely loved how the streets would all tell a story. Whether it was the way they escalated, deescalated, were painted, or even the specks of Art Nouveau found on the corners of some buildings. Prague should be on every bucket list!
During my 3 night stay in Prague, I visited the following sites:
Charles Bridge/Vltava River: The bridges’ construction began in 1357 by the Holy Roman Emperor Charles IV. The same architect constructed St. Vitus Cathedral at the Prague Castle (Petr Parléř). The bridge connects the Old Town (Stare Mesto) and Lesser Town (Mala Strana).
Church of Our Lady before Týn: Prague’s unique gothic architecture was one of my favourite things about the city. A unique feature about this church is that the taller tower represents man, and how men are to help (or maybe dominate- thoughts of the early 14th century) women (which is the smaller tower).
Old Town Square/Stare Mesto: Many significant historical accounts lie within this square. Franz Kafka lived just beyond the Astronomical Clock, while around the corner, there’s a list of the 27 Protestant nobles who were beheaded in 1621 after the Battle of Bílá Hora. There are plaques found around the whole city which commemorate critical WWII victories, along with “street signs” as noble gold figurines on the edge of each corner (how the Czech’s used to identify streets).
Astronomical Clock: This clock was first installed in 1410, making it the third oldest clock in the world, and the oldest one still working. There are three components: the astronomical dial (representing the position of where the sun/moon are in the sky), the walk of Apostles (shown by the four figures – the skeleton represents death), and a calendar dial with medallions representing months.
Powder Tower: This gate was used to store gun powder (hence its name) in the 17th century.
Lennon Wall: This wall was originally used as a source of irritation for the communist regime. Today, the wall represents symbols of love and peace.
Letna Park: Hike/run this park as it is on a plateau along the Vltava River. Amazing views of the Old Town.
Jewish Quarter (Josefov): History dates back from the 13th century, where Jewish people were ordered to vacate their homes and settle in one area. Adolf Hitler decided to preserve the Jewish Quarter as a “Museum of an Extinct Race”. Interestingly, writer Franz Kafka was also born here.
Maisel Synagogue: This was Hitler’s intended “Museum of the extinct race”. Today, it is a part of the many Jewish Museums in Prague.
Estates Theatre: Mozart conducted the world premiere of his opera, “Don Giovanni” here in 1787. It is the only theatre left standing where Mozart performed.
Wallenstein Palace Garden: Baroque palace found in Mala Strana (Lesser Town). It is home to the Czech Senate.
The Grotto (Dripstone Wall): A great juxtaposition as to what the Wallenstein Palace Gardens represent/represented in Czech History. The wall reveals distorted haunting, dripping skulls, snakes etc.
The Dancing House: Designed by Vlado Milunic, and Frank Gehry. The building represents static and dynamic “yin and yang” which symbolizes the transition of Czechoslovakia from a communist regime to a parliamentary democracy.
Wenceslas Square/ Czech’s National Museum: This is the entertainment and nightlife center of Prague At the top of the Wenceslas Square lies the monumental National Museum, and Prague State Opera. To honor the patron saint of the Czech Republic, there is a statue of St. Wenceslas (Good King Wenceslas), who was murdered a thousand years ago by his brother. Just next to the statue there are two plaques to commemorate those killed during the communist era. One is dedicated to Jan Palach, who set himself on fire in protest at the Sovient Invasion.
Lesser Quarter (Mala Strana): Much quieter than the Old Town. It started as a market settlement in the 8th century. Many Baroque churches and palaces lie within the Lesser Quarter.
