|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
 |
About Prague |
 |
 |
 |
| |
Prague's historical centre was listed in the UNESCO World Cultural and Natural Heritage Register in 1992.
lLying in the heart of Europe, Prague is the capital city of the Czech Republic. With borders to Germany, Austria, Slovakia and Poland. There is a number of non-stop border crossings available with an excellent connection by car, bus, train or plane. A valid passport, which does not expire at least for six months, is required in order to enter the Czech Republic. There is no entry visa needed for most European countries. You can obtain visa at the Czech Embassy if needed. Two kinds of visas are available; a tourist visa for 30 days or a transit one for 48 hours. The official language is Czech, Slovak language being understandable. Most local people have basic or possibly intermediate knowledge of English or German language. In majority of hotels, restaurants, travel agencies, historical monuments, shops and services the communication is possible in English, German or perhaps French.
|
|
|
|
|
Travelling around Prague |
|
|
|
| |
Using Tram, Bus and the Underground
You can purchase tickets at some Underground stations, at Transport Inquiries,
at shops with the Tabák sign displayed, at the reception desks,
some travel services, and also at the yellow vending machines by the
transport stations.
All of the underground lines operate from 5.00 a. m. till midnight.
Tram and bus timetables are found at all stops.
Transportation Ticket Controls
Prague's Transportation Dept. controllers carry out regular checks of passenger tickets on city trams, buses and metro. The revisors have the right to ask to see your validated ticket or monthly pass at anytime and in any of the areas beyond the validation barriers. If you are caught without a validated ticket there is a fine imposed and if for instance, you haven't paid the proper fare for your baggage, the fine can be up to five times more, be warned!
|
|
|
|
|
What to see and do in Prague |
|
|
|
| |
Eating
The Czech Republic is now cosmopolitan in the cuisine it has to offer. The city of Prague can now boast Thai and Turkish, Japanese, Russian , Mexican and Moroccan, Irish and Italian to name a few. The prices are usually astonishingly reasonable, although in some restaurants they are just astonishing. Drink prices are a hazard if you are teetering on the edge of alcoholism with Vodka is very cheap indeed.
Shopping
The whole of the country is now enjoying and prospering from it's freedom from Soviet control. This can be seen in the products now available from those of a few decades previous. Now the butchers have exotic-looking cuts hanging in the window and the previously abundant strips of bacon, without the lean bits, have been relegated to a low shelf at the back. Gorgeous, fresh vegetables are available everywhere, even if the shop-keeper might not quite know what to do with the particular vegetable that he is now selling. The large, Western-style supermarkets sell an intriguing selection of Czech goods and high-priced foreign imports.
|
|
|
|
|
Places to visit in Prague |
|
|
|
| |
There are hundreds of places to visit in Prague including a large collection of Art Galleries, Museums and other sights of special interest. Here is just a few we have chosen:
Prague Castle
From around the 9th century, Prague Castle has been the residence of Czech dukes and kings. Today, it is the seat of the president of the Czech Republic. Festive state audiences, important concerts and exhibitions take place here.
Picture Gallery in the Castle
View the paintings of 16th - 18th century European and Czech painters - Hans von Aachen, Lucas Cranach sr., Petr Brandl, Domenico Robusti (Tintoretto), Tiziano Vecellio, Petr Paul Rubens, Paolo Veronese, etc.
National Museum exhibition at Lobkovicz Palace
The exhibition has around 2,000 items, dating from the time of the Slavs up to 1848.
Old Royal Palace
The Palace holds an historical exhibition of unique objects from the Czech Republic, Germany, Poland, Hungary and Slovakia. Old manuscripts, burial garments, objects commemorating Sts. Wenceslas, Adalbert and Stephen, objects from daily life, models of residential areas, etc.
Sternberg Palace - Old Art Collection
Exhibiting 15th - 16th century painters from the Netherlands, 17th - 18th century Romanesque schools like J. Ribera, G.B.Tiepolo, El Greco, Goya, 17th century Flemish painters like P. P. Rubens, A. van Dyck, J. Jordaens and 17th century Dutch painters like Rembrandt H. van Rijn.
Trade Fair Palace
An exhibition of 19th and 20th century fine art featuring leading Czech masters in the form of monographic profiles or selections of their key artworks. The exhibition documents artistic and historical evolution of the period, social and cultural changes in the context of European art, as well as major shifts in the lifestyle of people during these two centuries. You can also enjoy architectural works, furniture, craft works, design and set design as well as photographs, drawings and graphic works. A collection of 19th and 20th century French art is also a part of this exhibition.
Mucha Museum
This museum is an exhibition of works from the highly acclaimed Czech artist Alfons Mucha, the most well known artist of all the Art Nouveau founders. It includes a large selection of his works on loan from the Mucha Foundation, consisting of lithographs, oil paintings, drawings, pastels, sculptures, photographs and personal items. It provides a unique glance into the world of the author of posters for Sarah Berhardt, the legendary Parisian actress from the end of the last century. You will find the Museum situated in a Baroque palace in the historical downtown. There is also a shop with an extensive line of gift items with Alfons Mucha motifs.
Guided tours are also available by reservation.
Old-Town Bridge Tower
The tower was designed by Peter Parlér, the entrance gate to the Charles Bridge from the Old Town. At the tower are copies of the enthroned figures of Charles IV and Wenceslas IV, over the archway is a row of carved emblems of the territories belonging to Charles' empire.
The Royal Mile
The Royal Mile is a unique complex of architectural and historic memories, connecting today's centre of the town ) with past, several coronation processions and the messengers from foreign countries followed this same path.
Church of Our Lady before Týn
This is the most remarkable Prague Gothic church with Ba-roque interior after St. Vitus' Cathedral. In the church there is the tomb of Tycho Brahe.
House At the Stone Bell
The House At the Stone Bell is the most precious burgess house of medieaval age, originally Romanesque, which rare Gothic form and two-storey front face of 14th century was renow- ned in 1988. Present day it serves as an exhibition and concert hall.
Slavín
In 1869, the Vyšehrad cemetery gained its current shape and is the most important
of Prague's cemeteries. A cemetery stood in its place as early as
1260. Its importance grew with the founding of "Slavín",
the final resting-place of the most significant personalities of the
Czech nation. Slavín was built between 1889 and 1893.
Vyšehrad
Situated on a rock over the River Vltava, this is the oldest seat of the Premyslid
princes. The most ancient building in Vyšehrad is the rotunda
of St. Martin. In the vicinity of St. Peter and Paul's Church is the
residence of canons, casemates, a park and cemetery with the tombs
of famous representatives of Czech culture, Slavín.
|
|
| |
|
|
|
