Prague has a complex history, ruled by Hapsburgs, Communists and faced with religious strife. We will only be there for two days, so we will barely scratch the surface of this unique place that includes Prague castle with its intriguing past and its cultural rich Jewish Quarter.

Pražský hrad (Prague Castle)

It is one of the largest castles in the world. It has three courtyards, magnificent buildings and covers over 18 acres. I’ve included sights to see below, but it looks like you could spend more than a full day here, so make sure to check out the website for further information and choose which sights you want to see. BELOW ARE THE SIGHTS TO SEE ON THE CASTLE GROUNDS.

Starý královský palace (Old Royal Palace)

It is a mixture of architectural styles and was the seat of Bohemian princes and kings until the 16th century. Vladislav Hall has been used for inaugurating presidents and coronations and has elaborate vaulting and a Gothic design. Large Italian windows are probably the oldest pieces of Renaissance architecture outside Italy. Five bronze Renaissance chandeliers from the first half of the 16th century lighten the hall. Riders’ Staircase, with its low steps and high ceilings, allowed knights to ride their horses up the steps for royal ceremonies. Bohemian Chancellery for two centuries was the office of the Royal Governors of Bohemia. It comprises a large chamber with Gothic vaulting and a smaller assembly room. A partition wall, featuring a Renaissance doorway, and a monogram of Ludvík Jagiello, separate the two rooms. Its main historical point is that in 1683 two hated Catholic governors were thrown out the east window. This practice did have a name in Czech society, defenestration. They were not killed from the fall. The angels saved them or in reality was a big pile of horse manure. This action by the Protestants started the Thirty Years War.

Katedrála svatého Víta (St. Vitus Cathedral)h

The cathedral uses flying buttresses to support the structure, which was developed in the Gothic period (12th to 16th centuries). The inside includes gothic vaulting. Checkout the Golden portal, it used to be the main entrance to the church until the 19th century. Above the portal is large mosaic of the Last Judgment. Wenceslas chapel contains the tomb of the country’s patron saint Prince Wenceslas and the wall is decorated with 1,300 semi-precious stones and frescoes of Christ’s Passion. You will also find the Bohemian Crown Jewels, Royal Crypt and St. john of Nepomuk’s Tomb with 1,680 kg of silver from the Bohemian mining town of Kutna Hora.

Bazilika Sv. Jiří (St. George’s Basilica)

The interior of the basilica is Romanesque, austere and monumental. The tombs of members of the ruling Premyslid dynasty are situated in the main nave. One of them belongs to prince Vratislav, father of St. Wenceslas.

White Tower (Bílá věž)

It contains a torture chamber along with shops. The gangways were once use by archers to guard the castle.

Prašná brána (Powder Tower)

This where royal alchemists researched and searched for the Philosopher’s stone, it is temporarily closed.

Svatý. georges convent prague (St. George’s Convent)

The Romanesque building holds 19th century Czech art.

Rožmberský palace (Rosenberg Palace)

It was built by the Rosenberg family between 1545 and 1574 became the property of the emperor Rudolf II in 1600. It remained in its original form till the 18th century, when it was radically rebuilt to house the Institute of Noblewomen.

Zlatá ulička (Golden Lane)

These homes once belong to goldsmiths. Writer Franz Kafka once lived in one of houses between 1916-1917.

Daliborka

On the eastern end of the Golden Lane stands a round tower, shrouded in legend. Dating back to 1496, the tower, which served as a prison until 1781, is named after its first inmate – Dalibor of Kozojedy. In addition to the dungeon with its monumental vaults, there is a circular opening in the floor through which offenders were lowered into the oubliette with the help of a pulley.

Hours For Prague Castle Sights: April – Oct. – Prague Castle complex 6 am – 10 pm and historical buildings 9 am – 5 pm.
Nov. – March – Prague Castle complex – 6 am -10 pm and historical buildings 9 am – 4 pm.

Admission For Prague Castle Sights: 250 CZK (Czech koruna) ticket includes Circuit B — St. George’s Basilica, St. Vitus Cathedral, Old Royal Palace, The St. George Basilica and Golden Lane with Daliborka Tower and a 350 CZK ticket or Circuit A includes additional sights — exhibition on “The Story of Prague Castle, St. George’s Convent and the Powder Tower (Closed) and Rosenberg Palace. Children under the age of six are free. For more information on ticketing go to their website.

Address: 119 08 Prague 1, Czechia

Lobkowicz Palace (Lobkowický palace)

Is a private facility in the Prague Castle complex and includes an art museum home to the highly acclaimed The Lobkowicz Collections, the oldest and largest private collection in the Czech Republic. Hours: 10 am – 6 pm daily. Admission: Adults 16 CZK, Children (7-15 years) 220 CZK

Old Jewish Quarter

INCLUDES THE OLD JEWISH CEMETERY, SIX SYNAGOGUES AND THE CEREMONIAL HALL.

Maiselova Synagoga (Maisel Synagogue)

The mayor of the Jewish Town, Morechai Maisel, constructed it from 1590 to 1592 during the Renaissance. Maiesel was a wealthy financer of the Hasburg King at the time. The synagogue has burnt down several times beginning with ghetto fire of 1689. You can view a permanent exhibit of Jews in the Bohemian Lands that include old Hebrew manuscripts and historical maps.

Pinkasova Synagoga (Pinkas Synagogue)

Serves as a memorial to all the Jewish Czechoslovak citizens who were imprisoned in Terezin concentration camp and later deported to various Nazi extermination camps. 77,297 Czech Jews were killed.

Stary Zldovsky Hrbitov (Old Jewish Cemetery)

Where about 85,000 were buried. This was the only place the Jews could be buried from 1439 to 1787. Due to the lack of space people had to be buried on top of each other. People place pebbles on tombstones symbolizing permanence of memory and legacy.

Obradni Sin (Ceremonial Hall)

Was the old mortuary and now houses an exhibit on Jewish medicine, death and burial traditions.

Staronova Synagoga (Old-New Jewish Synagogue)

Is the oldest synagogue in Europe and the earliest Gothic building in Prague. Look for the Jewish Standard – a historic banner of Prague’s Jews, it is decorated with a Star of David and inside the star is a hat that had to be worn by the Jews in the 14th century. The cantor’s platform is surrounded by a wrought iron Gothic grille. A Star of David marks the chair of the Chief Rabbi. Note the importance of the number 12, the 12 tribes of Israel, which can be seen in the 12 windows or the12 vines on the frieze at the base of the bema and in other parts of synagogue.

This synagogue also has a myth behind it. The attic is home to the remains of the Golem, the artificial creature made of clay that was created by Rabbi Loew in order to protect the Prague Jewish community.

Spanelska Synagoga (Spanish Synagogue)

Is the newest synagogue in Prague. It has a Moorish or Spanish interior design. The stucco decorations are reminiscent of the Alhambra in Spain. You can see a permanent exhibit here on the history of the Jews in the Bohemian lands from the reforms of Joseph II in the 1780s to the period after the Second World War.

Hours For Old Jewish Quarter Sights: Jewish Museums are open April – Oct.: 9 am – 6 pm, Sunday-Friday; Nov. – March: 9 am – 4:30 pm; Closed Jewish holidays. Old-New Synagogue is open 9:30 am – 6 pm, Sunday-Friday (to 5 pm November-March).

Admission For Old Jewish Quarter Sights: There are three types: Ticket 1 – 480 CZK – includes all six Jewish Museum sights and the Old-New Synagogue. Ticket 2 -300 CZK- includes the Jewish Museum sights only. Ticket 3 – 200 CZK – covers only the Old-New Synagogue.

Address: Maiselova 18, 110 01 Staré Město, Czechia

Karluv Most (Charles Bridge):

It is one of the most famous bridges in Europe with its towers, stonework and 30 statues. Each statue has a story and I’ve included a few. The Statue of St. Luitgard, a blind nun’s dream, which the crucified Christ let her touch his wounds. Statue of Sts. Cyril and Methodius, who were Greek missionaries, who brought both Christianity and the Cyrillic alphabet to the Czech and Slovak lands. The Statue of the Trinitarian Order, this religious order was set up to ransom prisoners of war from the Crusades and buy Christians back from freedom; hence the bored Turk guarding the cell.

The best time to cross the bridge is at evening or early morning the rest of the day the bridge can be crowded with artists and tourist. The bridge also includes towers on both sides that you can climb and take in the views.

Address: Karlův most, 110 00 Praha 1, Czechia

Staromestska radnice s orlojem (Old Town Hall)

This hall was established in 1338 as the seat of the Old Town Administration. The oldest part has a Gothic tower with a bay chapel and a unique astronomical clock – known as the Orloj – where, every hour between 9 am and 11 pm the twelve apostles appear. The guided tour includes the historical halls, the tower and the underground areas.

Hours: Jan. – Dec. – Monday 11:00 – 22:00, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday, 9:00 – 22:00.

Admission: Adults 250 CZK, reduced 150 CZK, family 500 CZK and mobile ticket or mTicket for 210 CZK.

Address: Staroměstské nám. 1/3, 110 00 Staré Město, Czechia

Petriske Sady (Petrin Hill)

It is the highest of Prague’s nine hills. You can take in views from the top. A funicular can take you to the top. You can also find a mini-version of the Eiffel Tower (Rozhledna) along with a mini Gothic castle (Bludiste) that has distorting mirrors.

Address: 118 00 Prague 1, Czechia

Wenceslas Square

The scene in 1989 of the Velvet Revolution and the end of Communism. The square now has many shops, restaurants and cinemas. Look for Hotel Evropa’s façade and interior with its Art Nouveau features. You will also fine the State Opera loving restored with crystal chandeliers and gilded stucco from the 19th century. The Wiehl House is a five-story building done in the Neo-Renaissance style with colorful sgraffito and Art Nouveau figures.

Address: New Town, 110 00 Prague 1, Czechia

Tancici Dum (Dancing House)

Near the bank if the Vltava River and near Charles Square is a building called the “Dancing House.” It is known popularly as “Fred and Ginger,” referring to Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers. The glass and concrete buildings have different facades and different heights. The buildings were created in 1996 by Californian architect Frank Gehry.

Address: Jiráskovo nám. 1981/6, 120 00 Nové Město, Czechia

More sites to see:

• Loreta Praha
• St. Agnes Convent
• National Gallery
• Little Quarter Square
• Church of St. Thomas
• Strahov Monastery
• Castle Square
• Municipal House
• National Theatre
• Old Town Square