czechtourism.com czechtourism.com Prague‘s Remarkable Landmarks and Monuments 8 Josefov – Jewish Town Prague Gardens and Parks 7 District Art Prague 1 Holešovice 1 The wonderful old synagogues located Prague Castle (Pražský hrad) Prague Castle Gardens (Zahrady Pražského hradu) Prague Prague 1, Hradčany in today’s Josefov show that Prague Prague 1 – The Castle (Hrad) Republic. Czech the was an important centre of the Central The world’s largest castle complex. Since The Royal Garden (Královská zahrada) was created in 1534 and developed under the inspiration visit you when yourself for modernity and its establishment in the 9th century, it has European Jewish community. The ol- of Italian design. It was modi¶ied with various elements of garden architecture in the 16th century continuously developed over 12 centu- dest and most beautiful is the Old New as the Royal Summer Residence (also sometimes known as Belvedere). Early in the 18th centu- tradition of mix fascinating this Experience ries. Originally the seat of Bohemian prin- Synagogue, which boasts massive brick ry, the garden was remodelled in the Baroque style; many sculptures created in M. B. Braun‘s ces and kings, it has been home to the gables. The story goes that the building workshop were installed there and have been preserved to this day. At the end of the 18th cen- reality. a became have visions contains the mythical Golem, which ac- president since 1918. Its most important tury, the garden underwent redevelopment into an English-styled landscape park and later, in innovative the and years, thirty last the accessible buildings are: the Old Royal cording to ancient legend was created the 19th century, most of its fruit trees were replaced with ornamental trees. Palace, the St. Vitus, St. Wenceslas and by Rabbi Loew; he is buried at the Old over transformed have cities Czech St. Adalbert Cathedrals, the Basilica of Jewish Cemetery. Southern Gardens (Jižní zahrady) – Rajská (Paradise Garden), Na Valech (Garden on the Ram- St. George, the Chapel of the Holy Cross parts), Hartigovská (Hartig Garden). The Southern Gardens are located beneath the arches of with the St. Vitus Treasury, the Mihulka the southern side of Prague Castle. Originally laid out in the 16th century, the Paradise Garden 9 Powder Tower, Golden Lane and – in su- Municipal House (Obecní dům) received its current look from Jože Plečnik in the 1920s. The architect also redesigned the Gar- mmer – the Royal Garden with the Ball Games Hall and the Royal Summer Palace. Prague 1, Náměstí Republiky 5 den on the Ramparts, a former natural park. The Hartig Garden, which contains a Music Pavili- Art Nouveau building from 1905µ1911. on, was added to the garden compound in the mid 20th century. 2 Strahov Monastery (Strahovský klášter) Its outstanding external and internal decorations were created by the most Prague 1, Strahovské nádvoří 1/132 Palace Gardens beneath Prague Castle (Palácové zahrady pod Pražským hradem) Regions to Gateways Founded in 1140 and originally a monastery of the Premonstratensian Order, it includes the signi¶icant artists of the day, speci¶ica- Prague 1, Valdštejnská 12µ14 Strahov Gallery, the Monastic Library with the Baroque Theological Hall and Philosophical Hall lly A. Mucha, M. Švabinský, J. V. Myslbek The Ledeburg, Small and Great Pal¹y, Kolowrat and Small Fürstenberg terraced gardens lie on (valuable mural paintings) and the Church of the Assumption of Our Lady. and J. Preisler. The imposing Smetana the southern slope below Prague Castle. The site of today’s gardens was for many years home Hall is used for important festivals, con- to a defence system. However, in the 16th century the ramparts were pulled down and the land 3 certs and social events. The Dancing House (Tančící dům) was sold o¹ before the area was converted into vineyards and Italian-style Renaissance gar- Cities Prague 2, Rašínovo nábřeží 80 dens. Following the Swedish invasion of 1648, the gardens underwent restoration and their ini- 10 This o´ice building from 1994µ1996 was designed by the local architect Vlado Milunic and the Powder Tower (Prašná brána) tially austere style received a Baroque makeover consisting of balustrade terraces with sculp- world-renowned architect and designer Frank O. Gehry. The controversial waterfront building Prague 1, Na Příkopě tures, monumental staircases and fountains. was named after the shape of its towers, which symbolize the famous dance partners Ginger Ro- A late Gothic structure from 1475 built gers and Fred Astaire: the male ¶igure is represented by the concrete tower while its glass “part- by Matěj Rejsek. Wallenstein Garden ner” symbolizes the female ¶igure. (Valdštejnská zahrada) 11 Infant Jesus of Prague, Prague 1, Letenská ulice 4 Petřín Lookout Tower Church of Our Lady Victorious An early Baroque garden arranged in (Petřínská rozhledna) (Pražské Jezulátko, strictly geometric design, it was develo- Prague 1, Petřínské sady Kostel P. Marie Vítězné) ped adjacent to the Wallenstein Palace On a hill near the city centre stand this Prague 1, Karmelitská in the years 1623µ1629. The impressive 60-metre iron tower, erected as part The Child of Prague is a wax statuette do- Sala Terrena dominates the garden spa- of the General Land Centennial Exhi- nated in 1628 by Polyxena of Lobkowicz. ce, which also boasts other architectu- bition in 1891 as a smaller copy of the It is located in the Church of Our Lady ral elements such as a stalactite Grotto, Ei¹el Tower in Paris, and a pavilion with Victorious, which also houses a collecti- a fountain with a delicate bronze statue a maze of mirrors. A unique Funicular on of out¶its that the ¶igurine is dressed in of Venus and a series of sculptures made has been carrying passengers to the according to the liturgy. by Adriaen de Vries (today’s sculptures peak for over a century. are bronze replicas; the original works were taken away by the Swedes at the end of the Thirty Years’ War). In the summer the garden becomes a venue for concerts and theatre performances. 12 National Theatre (Národní divadlo) 5 St. Nicholas Church Prague 1, Národní 2 Vrtba Garden (Vrtbovská zahrada) (Kostel sv. Mikuláše) The neo-Renaissance structure was built Prague 1, Karmelitská 25 Prague 1, Malostranské náměstí 25 as a symbol of the National Revival in A terraced garden recognized as a gem One of the most important buildings 1868µ1881 by the architect J. Zítek and of garden architecture among Baroque from Prague’s Baroque period. Fea- reconstructed after a ¶ire in 1881µ1883. gardens in Central Europe. It was de- turing a commanding dome and bell Thanks to its gold ornamentation, this veloped in 1720 in conjunction with the tower, it was built in 1704µ1756 by ar- theatre on the banks of the Vltava is Vrtbovsky Palace according to a plan by chitect K. I. Dientzenhofer. The interior known as the ‘golden chapel’. The Nati- architect František Maxmilián Kaňka on boasts huge frescoes with scenes from onal Theatre also comprises the Laterna the site of a former vineyard. The area the life of St. Nicholas. Magika, which combines ¶ilm, dance, covers around 3,000 m2, making it a music, light e¹ects and mime. relatively small historical garden. Howe- ver, the original architectural design, which makes the best of the randomly 13 6 Charles Bridge and Bridge Towers Vyšehrad (Vyšehrad) pro¶iled hillside compound and features (Karlův most) Prague 2, V Pevnosti masterpieces of artistic and historical value, places the garden among important landmarks in Prague 1, Malá Strana – Staré Město According to legend, Vyšehrad was the Europe. Its sculptures are the work of the renowned M. B. Braun. Prague’s oldest bridge was founded in seat of the ¶irst Czech princes. In reali- 1357 by Charles IV and completed in 1402 ty, however, this fortress dates back to Petřín Orchards (Petřínské sady) under the supervision of Peter Parler. It is the 10th century. In the complex you Prague 1 – Hradčany, Malá Strana fortiºed by towers on both sides. Since can admire the Romanesque Rotunda Petřín hill belongs among the most extensive green areas in the city, with the lookout tower 1683, 30 statues and groups of statues of St. Martin, Gothic cellars, casemates, on its peak forming a distinctive feature on the city’s skyline. In the Middle Ages, the sloped of saints have been set on the bridge’s a museum, the Church of SS Peter and area was covered with vineyards and cultivated ¶ields. There are several springs on Petřín; in pillars. Paul and the nearby cemetery Slavín, the past they were diverted to the Pohořelec and the Lesser Town areas through a tunnel sys- where the most honoured persons of tem, though today the water is redirected down to Vltava river. Early in the 19th century, the the Czech nation are buried. orchards were completely recultivated and converted into the Lobkowicz Garden, Nebozizek, the Rose Garden, the Lookout Tower Park and the Seminary Garden. 7 Old Town Square (Staroměstské náměstí) Prague 1, Staroměstské náměstí This square is the real heart of Prague. The Old Town Hall complex comprises a 70m tower and three adjoining buil- dings, but the biggest attraction is the As- tronomical Clock where wooden statues Legend public transport of the 12 apostles parade every hour; the fountain stop lower part features a calendar with the museum monument, statue tram route signs of the zodiac by Josef Mánes (1865). The Danish astronomer Tycho Brahe is theatre tourist information centre bus route buried in the Church of Our Lady Before Tyn on the other side of the square. church, synagogue