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Prague, Czech Republic |
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Prague is a magnificent, walkable city. Spared the war damage that blighted so many other European capitals, many hundreds of years of history remain intact.
Old Town (Staré Město)The original part of the city, Staré Město, was settled as long ago as the 9th century. With narrow, cobblestone streets and superb architecture at every turn, it's unsurprising that it teems with tourists day and night.
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Vrtba Garden (Vrtbovská zahrada)
This Italianate, baroque, terraced garden has some of the nicest views of the city.
Kampa and Čertovka
Čertovka is a canal that separates the island of Kampa from the Malá Strana mainland. Near the overly-crowded Charles Bridge, Kampa is a welcome respite, with large swaths of parkland containing interesting artwork.
St. Nicholas' Church (Kostel sv. Mikuláše)
This grand church, completed in 1755, has a wonderfully painted ceiling by Austrian artist Johann Lukas Kracker.
Basilica of St. George (Bazilika Sv. Jiří)
One of the oldest parts of the castle, the Basilica of St. George originally dates from 920 but the baroque facade seen below is considerably newer.
National Gallery
One of the National Galleries in Prague, housed in St. George's convent, has a vast collection of Czech artwork. A few examples are below.
Daliborka Tower
Built in 1496, this tower was originally part of the castle's fortification but, two years after it was built, it became a prison — a function it served until 1781.
Golden Lane
This 15th century street used to house families; now it houses tourist shops.
Old Royal Palace
This palace grew slowly over the centuries and therefore contains a variety of architectural styles. The most impressive part, perhaps, is Vladislav's Hall, a grand ballroom. Replicas of the crown jewels can also be found here.
Wenceslas Square (Václavské náměstí)
The center of activity in Nové Město, this "square" is more of a boulevard, surrounded by large department stores and other businesses.
Lucerna Passage (Pasáž Lucerna)
This Art Nouveau shopping complex is near Wenceslas Square and contains a famous sculpture of St. Wenceslas and an upside-down horse by David Cerny.
Powder Tower (Prašná Brána)
On the boundary of Nové Město and Staré Město, this gothic tower, built in 1475, affords wonderful views of both areas. It was used to store gunpowder in the 17th century; hence the name.
Wow! what a perfect pictures, splendorous work. If the photos are so beautiful, then I can't imagine how amazing it must have been in person. Prague places to visit
Image: Blue hills.jpg
-- Ketty Robinson
