General Information

Prague is situated on the Bohemian Plain, on the river Moldava, and is rightfully considered one of the most fascinating European Cities.

The historic centre of the city stands on both banks of the river and is divided into 6 parts, which in the past were considered 6 separate towns, and were unified during the 17th century. The six zones include: Staré Mesto ( the Old Town), Josefov ( the ex- Jewish town, which now forms part of the Old Town), Nové Mesto (New town), Mala Strana ( the Small Part), Hradcany and Vysehrad, which houses the largest number of historic monuments, museums and works of art.

The castle (Prazsky) is the most visited and famous sight in Prague. It is the largest and oldest in the world, and is the official residence of the Czech government. It is an immense building comprising gardens, churches and museums. The Gothic San Vitus Cathedral, built in 929, rises up above the bulky mass of the castle. The heart of the castle is the Vladislav Room, a fine example of late Gothic. The Summer Palace (Letohradek) is in Renaissance style, while the Saint George Basilica is the best preserved Roman construction. Having passed the Basilica following the north wall of the castle, the visitor arrives at the Golden Alley (Zlata Ulicka) with its small and highly colourful houses, once the residence of gold merchants and later occupied by artists. The square in front of the castle (Hradcanske Namesti) is surrounded by Baroque and Renaissance buildings, with the Plague Column, situtated in the centre of the square.. The Loretanske Namesti, situated to the west, is the site of the Capuccini Monastery, the Cernin Palace and the Loreta. A little further and one arrives at the Strahov Monastery, with splendid frescoed rooms, which house a monastic library of international fame.

The Mala Strana district, perched at the foot of the castle, is decorated with monumental, predominantly residential, buildings. The Nerudova Ulice is one of the most beautiful buildings, having conserved its Renissance facade. The Saint Nicholas Church, situated in Mala Strana, in Malostranske Namesti, is richly decorated and has an enormous green dome. The square, in which the church is situated, is closed at one end by the river and has the Wallenstein Palace, occupied by the Ministry of Culture, at the other.

Stare Mesto, the old city, is located to the east of the Mlodava river and is the site of Starometstske Namesti, the heart of the city. Here the visitor is offered a sample of all the architectural styles of the city including Tyn Church, with its pointed roof covered with small spires, and the Stone Bell-Tower House, with its two chapels used as a modern art gallery and a chamber music room. The Town Hall, built in Gothic style, possesses a splendid astronomic clock. The Klementinum, an enormous architectonic complex, is a short distance away. The building houses libraries, museums and churches and leads to the Charles Bridge (Karluv Most), an area bustling with tourists, painters and souvenir sellers. Josefov, the Jewish district, stretches to the north of the city. Four synagogues from the old district are still standing, together with the Town Hall, a ceremonial room and the old cemetery. The Old-New Synagogue (Staronova Synagoga) is the only one in the world built in Gothic style and is the oldest among those still in function within Europe. Nove Mesto, the New City, dates back to the 14th century and is situated beyond the walls that ring the old city. The Wenceslas Square is the focal point of this centre and site of the National Museum. The Lucerna covered walk way is an elegant Art Nouveau complex comprising theatres, cafés, a cinema and a restaurant. The Gothic Saint Mary of the Snow Church, with its beautiful entrance and enormous altar, stands at the end of the square.

The Karlovo Namesti, the largest square in Prague, is the site of the Baroque Saint Ignatius Church, the Town Hall for the New City, the Count Court and the so-called "Faust House", a Baroque building at the south end of the square.