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prague: general info
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PRAGUE
Calling Code: +420
The Czech Republic lies at the heart of Central Europe and at its centre is the beautiful and historic city of Prague. With a population of some 1.3 million residents, the city lies on either side of the Vltava River in the middle of Bohemia that is one of the three historic Czech territories; the others being Moravia and Silesia. The city has seven "Chapter Divisions" or districts.
The north and western suburbs are mainly an area of residential buildings and parkland, containing Prague's largest park, Stromovka.
The park was originally a hunting ground and is now home to many attractions including the Vystaviste Exhibition Grounds, the
Prumyslovy Palace, the Planetarium, the Lapidarium and Detsky Svet, a large funfair. A walk to the west of the park brings the
visitor to the Summer Palace, a neo-Gothic building (begun in 1805) where the National Museum stores some of its treasures.
To the south of Stromovka lies the Letna Park. A walk farther south brings one to a plateau overlooking the main city and river. Here,
you will see a large metronome that replaced the monument to Stalin, the largest in the world, which was destroyed on the orders of
Krushchev in 1962. Other places of interest are the National Technical Museum and National Gallery Collection of Modern and Contemporary
Art. Walks through the residential areas will expose you to many styles of architecture here.
Situated on the hill overlooking Prague, Hradcany is made up of Prague Castle, St Vitus Cathedral and the Strahov Monastery - all places
that are steeped in history. The Army Museum, the The Royal Gardens and the Toy Museum are also nearby. St Vitus' Cathedral was
commissioned by Charles IV (1316-1378) and its foundation was laid in 1344. However, work on it went on for
600 years before being finalized in 1929, which means that the architecture is from many different periods and in different styles.
Attractions inside include the crown jewels, the crypt and the South Tower. The Strahov Monastery was founded in 1140 by the
Premonstratensian Order, although its present day baroque appearance dates from the late-17th and 18th centuries.
Covering the area just below Hradcany and bordering the river, Mala Strana is just across Charles Bridge from the main city. Now home
to many foreign embassies occupying a number of buildings built by the Catholic nobility, the area is full of palaces, gardens and
baroque churches including the Church of St. Nicholas (Sv. Mikulas). Open daily, this is an example of Prague baroque architecture;
it was built between 1702 and 1753 by Christoph Dientzenhofer and later also worked on by his son. Frequent concerts and recitals
(both at lunchtime and in the evenings) are held here featuring the works of Mozart.
Other buildings of interest nearby include the Czech National Assembly, the Lichtenstein Palace, Smiricky Palace and Petrin Hill.
Prague's Jewish Quarter can be reached by a short walk from Wenceslas Square or by taking the metro to Staromestska, Line A.
Dating back to at least the 13th century, this area is rich in history. Places to visit include the Jewish Cemetery, its five
synagogoues, the Jewish State Museum and the Jewish Town Hall with its Hebrew clock dating from the 15th century. The narrow
cobbled streets lend the area a unique atmosphere, especially at night. The Kafka Museum is located on the border of Josefov and
Stare Mesto.
Prague's Old Town is centered around own is centered around Old Town Square, the Huss monument and the Old Town Clock Tower
featuring its astronomical clock dating back to the 15th century. The Old Town Hall is open daily. It is only a short walk away
from Wenceslas Square. There are several churches of note here including the Church of Our Lady Before Tyn as well as courtyards and numerous cafs,
bars and restaurants catering to every taste.
Nove Mesto is Prague's main commercial and business district. It is based around Wenceslas Square at the top of which is the National
Museum and the two main commercial streets, Na Prikope and Narodni. Running from these streets are many smaller streets and
courtyards (some of which are being transformed into modern shopping malls) and hotels, bars and restaurants abound in this area.
Walking along Legerova or Ke Karlovu (where you will find the Dvorak Museum) will bring you to the Police Museum from where you
could take a walk along the top of the Botic Valley towards the river.
The working class suburbs of Zizkov and Vysehard are centered upon the ancient rocky fortress of Vysehrad (the Republic's most-revered landmark) and containing the Vysehrad Cemetery, a
Romanesque rotunda and the Gothic church of St. Peter and Paul. It is home to the TV Tower (from which you can enjoy panoramic views
of Prague) and the ancient Zizkov Hill, atop which stands a statue of Jan Zizka (a 15th century army general) and the mausoleum in
which the remains of the three Communist presidents of the Republic and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier can be found. The suburb of
Vinohrady contains Prague's most modern church, the Most Sacred Heart of Our Lord, which was built in 1928.
If there's a place you've stayed or something you've done, but we haven't listed, review it for us!
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