A stroll through the Castle District and Prague Castle "Hradcany"
Prague Castle, the millenium-old residence of the kings of Bohemia and the seat of the President of the Republic, forms, together with the slim towers of St. Vitus's Cathedral, a panorama which has no rival anywhere. This view on Hradcany Castle and the adjoining buildings, located on terraces and hills which overlook the wide flowing river Vltava is most probably the best known picture of Prague, like the emblem of the city. A pleasant walk, commencing at the Strahov Monastery of the Premonstratensians, leads downhill, along remarkable historic buildings and monuments, flamboyant palaces, magnificent churches and museums, on to the main entrance to the castle, the so called "Matthias Gate".

The originally romanesque Strahov Monastery, later on converted to baroque style owes its hidden jewel - the baroque library to the collecting activity of its abbots. Numerous books, manuscripts and first prints are kept in valuable baroque shelves in the Philosophical and Theological Hall, both richly decorated with paintings and frescos.

On the way you will certainly notice the Loretto - a copy of the Italian pilgrimage place near Ascona, also called Santa Casa. A carillon rings out from the tower every hour. It represents one of the most impressive baroque buildings in Prague and serves as a treasury of liturgical objects. The best known is the diamond monstrance, set with 6222 diamonds in heavily gilded silver. The imposing 150 metres long building opposite, called Czernin Palace, is the seat of the Ministry of Inner Affairs. It is said to have as many windows as there are days of the year. Along the Schwarzenberg Palace (Military History Museum), Sternberk Palace (used for collections of the National Gallery) and the Archbishop's Palace the guests are approaching the main entrance to Prague Castle.

Highlight of the tour is St. Vitus Cathedral, the spiritual centre of the state and an architectural gem. The neo-gothic facade is flanked by two 82 meters high spires. The bronze doors of the cathedral portray the history of its construction. Mainly the dome is a creation of the architect Peter Parler. The most precious part of the interior is the St. Wenceslas chapel from the 14th century, where the relics of the patron saint of the Czech Lands are kept. The lower part of the walls is inlaid with semi-precious stones. The crown jewels are kept in a chamber located over the chapel.
The largest secular room of medieval Prague is Vladislav Hall located in the Old Palace of Prague Castle, featuring a remarkable Gothic stellar vaulting. The hall was used for royal audiences and banquets, coronation feasts and tournaments. Since 1918 it became the venue of the election of the president.
Another curious detail within the castle area is the "Golden Lane" also called gold-makers' lane. Legend has it, that Rudolf II alchemists not only lived there but also experimented on manufacturing gold for the emperor. Historically the tiny houses were built onto the defense wall from the 16th century and inhabited by the royal gunners.

Prague's Old Town and the Royal Route
Just follow our guide and let yourself enchant by the city's stupendous architecture at every step, when straying through the labyrinth of twisting little streets to the Old Town Square, with its dominant features, the Church of Our Lady Before Tyn and the Old Town Hall with an outstanding astronomical clock. You would not believe that this square was serving in the Middle Ages for horse races. Today numerous Romanesque, Gothic, Renaissance, baroque and rococo buildings are well complemented by early 20th century Art Nouveau structures as well as unique examples of the Cubist style.
From Powder Tower to the Old Town Square, along Karlova street, crossing Charles Bridge, continuing to Prague Castle led also the route of all rulers on their way to the coronation ceremony in Vladislav Hall, hence its name "The Royal Route".

Through narrow streets we are reaching the New Town and soon also its heart - Wenceslas Square. It is more a boulevard and "has seen" a lot of things happening during the centuries. Amongst other important events, 200.000 Czechs were celebrating the end of the Communist regime here, in November 1989.

A visit to Prague is not complete, without a stroll across the Charles Bridge. An old saying goes, that kissing someone on Charles Bridge, will change his entire life. This stone bridge is an exceptional work of medieval construction and is the most beautiful, romantic and oldest of 18 bridges across the river Vltava in Prague. It is decorated with 30 baroque statues of high artistic value, representing saints and outstanding personalities of Czech history, as it were an open-air gallery.

Art Nouveau Prague and Alphonse Mucha
The last period of prosperity and intensive architectural activity was in the early 20th century. Entire rows of Art Nouveau buildings - along the banks of the river, or - the highly elegant Paris street on the grounds of the former Jewish ghetto- give evidence of this wealth.

Superb examples of Art Nouveau architecture are the Municipal House - housing several restaurants, a concert hall and elegant rooms for social events - and other buildings around Wencelsas Square (Granhotel Europe, U Novaku, Topic Palace, Adam's Pharmacy and the Langhans House).

The most important Czech representative of this style is the artist Alphonse Mucha, who was celebrated mainly also in Paris for his creation of posters featuring performances of the famous actress Sarah Bernhard. A museum dedicated to his works has been installed in the Kaunitz Palace, and shows lithographs, paintings, drawings, pastels, statues as well as photographs and personal belongings.

Jewish History in Prague
The old ghetto has ceased to exist. Only the synagogues around the ancient Jewish graveyard testify to unsettled times and difficult periods in history, whilst high-rising ornate Art Nouveau houses are lining the new streets.

The eldest traces of activity of Jewish merchants can be followed back as far as to the 10th century. Prague used to be an important centre of Jewish culture. The middle of the 19th century was a fruitful artistic period - especially for literature - that came from the interactive contacts between Czech, Jewish and German culture, well known representatives are Kafka, Brod and Kisch.

Important landmarks of Jewish culture that survived until today are:

The Gothic Old-New Synagogue, the oldest Jewish house of prayer in central Europe, has succeeded in preserving the original appearance in spite of all the historical reversals and repeated occurrences of Jew-baiting, fulfilling its role for about seven hundred years.

The Old Jewish Cemetery fascinates visitors with an array of more than 12,000 tombstones, the oldest of which date from the 15th century. As the area of the cemetery was limited to the same size during 300 years of use, the graves were placed on top of each other - up to twelve layers.
The Pinkas Synagogue houses the memorial museum of the genocide during World War II.

DISCOVERING PRAGUE
… in a different way

For instance, by touring the historic city on a historic tram. Driver and ticket collector, wearing period uniforms, will complete the impression of being set back in time. You may enjoy a typical local drink during the ride and even some musical entertainment.
Using the street car instead of a coach is also an pleasant, untraditional way for lunch - or dinner transfers, enhancing the event.