Prague City - Czech Republic - Europe

By
Zora Flatley
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Prague

One of the cornerstones of European history, and the capital of the Czech Republic, Prague, is the 13th largest city in the EU today. It is bisected by the Vltava River and is rich with history.

It was originally the historic capital of Bohemia, being one of the jewels of the Bohemian kingdom many years ago. Prague was founded during the Romanesque period, but it was one of the most famous places to be during the Baroque, Gothic, and Renaissance eras.

The people call it Prague Praha because of its location at the crossing point of the Vltava River. It’s from an old Slavic word that means rapid or ford, describing the easy crossing over a body of shallow water on foot. Prague was very important to the Habsburg Monarchy, being one of the key cities to the Austro-Hungarian Empire. With such a great history, it’s one of the cities that has plenty of historic monuments and tourist attractions.

Prague is known for its chilly winters and warm temperate summer days. Because of its oceanic climate, it has a significant amount of rainfall and snow. It has plenty of sunshine and warm weather during the day, but it’s quite cool at night, even during the hottest summer days.

Regardless of the weather changes, it’s an amazing city to visit at any time of the year. It was classified as an Alpha global city and was ranked as the 6th best global city to visit in 2016. Prague was also ranked as the 13th most livable city in the world.

Visitors from all around the world come to see the remarkable spots that Prague has to offer. If you’re into museums, then you’re going to have a blast visiting the Strahov Library, which is a monastery that has the classical Philosophical Hall, Baroque Theological Hall, and Cabinet of Curiosities. You will enjoy walking and taking memorable photos of the world’s most beautiful library museum.

The Jewish Museum is another historic piece of Prague’s history, having beautiful cobblestoned streets and old synagogues protected throughout the years. The museum is an ancient cemetery that has 12000 gravestones, engraved names, and children’s drawings inside the Pinkas synagogue. The memory of the horrific Holocaust is preserved in this museum, and it tells the story of the Jewish community in Prague.

The Mucha Museum is another excellent place to visit if you’re into art. It displays the work of a Czech painter called Alphonse Mucha. His remarkable work is a true testament to his marvelous talent when it comes to curved lines in each painting.

Two more memorable museums that you should visit are the KGB museum and the Museum of Communism, which has a plethora of Russian collections from the war. The Museum of Communism has a wide collection of old exhibits for propaganda work and a glimpse of the Czechoslovak life during the communist rule. The KGB museum has espionage gadgets, cameras, recorders, and even torture devices.

Another famous monument that you can’t miss out on is the famous Astronomical Clock in the old town hall in the old town square. A fun little event/show happens every hour, and it shows the impressive craftsmanship and engineering prowess of the clock.

The Charles Bridge is such a beautiful spot that you can admire from afar during the early morning or late evenings. You can stroll in and walk with the crowds at the bridge and see the decorated statues and beautiful feats of architecture.

https://revyou.com/uploads/thumbnail-960/1638351649484images.png Prague City - Czech Republic - Europe

https://revyou.com/uploads/thumbnail-960/1638351649484istockphoto-590163782-1024x1024.png Prague City - Czech Republic - Europe

Prague has one of the best classical concerts in the world, having daily shows for tourists that entertain them with the greatest hits of classical music. You will have a better time if you manage to be there when the real orchestra starts playing. The best time to be there is during fall or winter because summertime is their time off.

You can also visit the TV tower to see the astonishing and yet bizarre design of the three-legged tower. It looks quite beautiful from afar, but it feels quite strange seeing the big baby statues climbing it when you get closer to it. When you’re exploring the streets of Prague, you will notice a unique cubist lamppost that proves the talent of the cubist architects. It’s quite interesting because lampposts with cubist style are rarely seen.

Tourists have several modes of transportation to help them get around the lovely city. You can choose to get around on the 22 tram or the historical tram, but try not to carry valuables or have your wallet in plain sight to avoid getting pickpocketed while on the tram.

Taking taxis is another good way to get around, but finding reliable ones for fair prices can be a little difficult, especially for tourists. Using a taxi app like Uber is a lot more optimal, and it’s safer than a taxi because you won’t get ripped off.

If you’re trying to get some money from one of the exchange offices, you should play it safe by heading to the bank instead. The Alfa Prague and Broadway Change offices are safe too. Any other office may try to rip you off with the commission percentage.

Some people might try to talk you into exchanging currencies on the street, but that isn’t safe at all, and you shouldn’t do that. You may end up with forged notes or outdated currency papers that aren’t used in Prague anymore.

Prague is known to have some of the best microbreweries and pubs, having over 30 different kinds of beer. Try not to get the red wine too often because some locals may mix it with cola because the expensive red wine isn’t good there. The climate in Prague is just not right for red wines, but you can still try the white wine, and they’re drinkable compared to the red vintage.

The Prague beer museum is a great place to start, and it’s not exactly a museum. It’s a large and popular pub that is always full to the brim with people. The Pivní Galerie is an excellent booze boutique that has over 150 varieties in stock. Shopping around there can be quite an experience, and the prices aren’t too expensive.

The Pivovarský Dům is a famous microbrewery that offers fruit-flavored beers and classic lagers that are locally produced. If you love to drink and enjoy your time, then this is the best place for you.

Tourists that want a taste of some of the most delicious cuisines that Prague has to offer can head on over to the farmers’ market to try some of the classic Czech cuisines. Try to avoid the restaurants in the old town square because they’re extremely pricey and even the Czechs themselves don’t eat there. Look for a quiet off-center neighborhood restaurant or the famous Mincovna restaurant for delicious food that won’t be a tourist trap.

The people are nice, friendly, and everyone will greet you with a hearty hello in every corner. Prague is a beautiful city to visit any time of the year with amazing sights to see and places to explore during winter and summer. However, you will find it quieter with fewer crowds during spring and fall. To truly have a great time, consider traveling with family and friends to enjoy your time together in the culturally rich life of Prague.