What to see in Prague
This square was originally a horse market and when its not accommodating protest marches the local bohemians come down from the hills to set up their craft stalls here. The square is named after St Wenceslas, the first Christian ruler. The square has seen no less than 5 revolutions in the past 7 decades, the last was the 1989 Velvet Revolution when Czech gained its independence from the Soviet state. Of note below the statue of Wenceslas is the monument to 2 university students who killed themselves on this spot in the name of freedom during the Prague Spring uprising of 1968-ÂJans Palach on 16 January and Jans Zajic in February. Today the buildings look very different with capitalism and foreign investment riding high.
This is the oldest Jewish settlement in central Europe and a testament to the centuries of persecution. A 12 foot wall was erected by the citizens of Prague in 1180 around the neighbourhood, eerily pre-empting the actions of Hitler in 1936. The ghetto was emptied during WWII deporting the inhabitants to the death camps. The most visited site is the cemetery. 20,000 graves are laid out in 12 levels dating back to between the 14th and 18th Centuries. The most notable grave is that of Rabbi Loew ben Bezalel (1512-1609) buried opposite the entrance. He is said to have created a 'Golem' mud creature to protect the Jewish population. Open Sun-Fri, 9am-6pm (Apr-Oct), 9am-4.30pm Nov-Mar. Closed Jewish religious observances.
One of the most photographed and photogenic bridges in Europe. Straddling the Vltava river the sides of the bridge are accented with statues of various saints and important figures. The most famous statue is that of St Jan Nepomucký . He was the priest of Charles IV thrown to his death from the spot where his statue sits for keeping his vow of confidentiality after the king suspected his wife of taking other lovers. As the story goes, St John hit the water and five stars were seen above the splash and years later some fishermen found a skull with the tongue still inside. The bridge has been closed to cars since 1945 due to structural weakness. The artists, musicians and craft sellers make a much nicer accompaniment than smelly cars anyway. The defence towers are open every day 10am-10pm and offer great views, adult 40Kc, student 30Kc.
Overlooking the city from its hilltop position is the large and imposing Prague Castle. There has been a ruling residence here for some 1000 years. The immense cathedral in the centre is St Vitus's and contains the tomb of St Jan Nepomucký. And the Royal crypt contains Charles IV. This gothic looking cathedral was only completed in 1929, only 600 years after work commenced on it. The Great South Tower holds the best view over Prague if you still have the enrgy to climb the 287 steps. Open daily 9am-5pm (Apr-Oct), 9am-4pm (Nov-Mar), adult 220Kc, student 110Kc.
The first feature here is the Astronomical Clock , moving with the seasons and providing tourists with a performance on the hour of parading apostles, skeleton and squawking rooster for hundreds of years. The old town hall it is attached to was almost totally destroyed by retreating Nazi troops in the final days of WWII. Standing opposite is the Tyn Church , looking rather Disney like with its tall spires. Inside are buried the remains of Danish Astronomer Tycho Brahe , his demise brought on by etiquette. His bladder burst at dinner with the emperor as it was considered rude to leave the table before him. The bronze statue at the base of the square commemorates Jan Huss, religious martyr and activist. He was the first to question actions of the Catholic church during the 15th C. He blamed the plagues and disease sweeping the continent on slack moral fibre, particularly the Church attitude to selling indulgences. He was burned at the stake as a heretic in 16th July 1415. His followers were called Hussites and continued the struggle for many years. Open every day.