Karlštejn Castle (Státní hrad Karlštejn 172, Karlštejn) — located 45 minutes southwest of Prague (via routes D5 and E50), this castle was built in 1365 by Holy Roman emperor Charles IV to store the royal treasures, collections of holy relics, and the crown jewels. At the lowest point, one will find the settlement outside the […]
Jewish Quarter (Prague) — locallly known as “Josefov”, this district was established in the 13th century, since a growing number of Jews were settling into Czech Republic. Its residents endured waves of anti-Semitism over time (including a pogrom in 1389). One period of tolerance granted to its residents was in 1781 — when Holy Roman […]
Hunger Wall (Petrín Hill, Prague) – this wall, located on top of Petrín Hill, was built in 1360, when King Charles IV ordered it to be built as a defense fortification for Prague Castle against attacks from the west and south. The wall got its name, since a major famine took place during the wall’s […]
Franz Kafka Museum (Cihelná 2b, Lesser Quarter, Prague 1) — one individual who put Prague on the world map is famed Czech writer Franz Kafka (1883-1924), who used the city as inspiration in his numerous writings. The museum uses pictures, light and music to give visitors an insight into the world of the great writer. […]
Dancing House – this architectural curiosity is the first masterpiece of modern architecture designed by a world renowned architect in Prague since the Velvet revolution 1989. “Dancing House” was designed by Canadian architect Frank O’Gehry together with Vlado Milunić for Nationale Nederlanden insurance company (now ING Company). The very non-traditional “deconstructivist” design was controversial at […]
Child of Prague (Klášter Pražského Jezulátka, Karmelitská 9, Prague 1) — within the Church of Our Lady Victorious in the Lesser Quarter is a small statue called the “Child of Prague”. A.K.A. “Bambino di Praga”. Presented as a gift by the Habsburg patron Polyxena of Lobkowicz in 1628, this statue is revered as a valuable […]
Charles Bridge (Křižovnické náměstí 3, Prague 1) — ths long and elegant bridge goes as far back in history as the Holy Roman Empire period, when emperor Charles IV ordered its construction. These days, it connects the Old Town to the Lesser Quarter side. There are 30 statues on the bridge — the one that […]
Budvar České Budějovice (Karolíny Světlé 4, České Budějovice) — located 1 hour & 45 minutes south of Prague (via route E55), this is a beer lover’s destination. American beer consumers who know the brand “Budweiser” will be particularly interested in hearing that the very name of this place means “Budweiser” in the Czech language (stirring […]
Bouzov Castle (Správa státního hradu Bouzov, Bouzov) — located 3 hours east of Prague (via routes D11 and E67, toward the Slovakian border), this 13th century castle once belonged to the Order of Teutonic Knights. Owned by the state since 1945, it was declared a national monument in 1999. For those interested in immersing themselves […]
Astronomical Clock (TIC Staroměstská radnice, Prague 1) — located within Prague’s Old Town Square, this clock has been faultlessly showing not only the time and date for centuries, but also the position of the sun, phase of the moon, astronomical cycles and festivals on the Christian calendar. Every hour on the hour, the astronomical clock […]