Schmap Prague Guide

Prague
Download the Schmap Prague Guide
With Schmap 2.0 you can:

Browse this Schmap Guide on your PC, online or offline.
View Schmap Guides for 200 worldwide destinations.
Bookmark places of interest, plan trips and take virtual tours.
Custom print your own full-color travel guides.
Publish and share schmapplets with your favorite places
Enjoy many more unique Schmap features.

Prague Home
Schmap Prague guide and map

The beautiful and historic city of Prague lies in the heart of Europe and is home to Charles Bridge, Wenceslas Square and the river Vltava. It has a rich artistic and cultural heritage which is reflected in its splendid art nouveau architecture.

Our apologies: your internet browser is not yet fully supported by our Schmap online guides. If you continue, pages in this guide may display or function incorrectly.

Would you like to continue anyway?Continue Anyway

Schmap.com supports the following browsers:

Internet Explorer 6 and above
Firefox 1.5 and above
Safari 3 for Pc

MAC

Safari version 1.3 and above
Firefox 2 and above

Charles Bridge

Prague's number one attraction

Malá Strana
Prague 11000
+420 2 2422 0569

Take in a busker's tune or simply enjoy stunning views of the castle above and river below. Linking the Lesser Side with the Old Town, the pedestrian bridge's foundation stone was laid in 1357 on July 9th at 5:31am (note the sequence: 1357 9 7 531); it was believed that a sequence of odd numbers would secure successful construction. Between 1683 and 1928, 30 statues of saints were placed along the bridge. At statue 16, there is a plaque, which visitors can rub to give them good luck and ensure their return to Prague.

Review © 2007, Wcities

Photo: Jan Koch

Photo: Dave Goodman

Photo: Dave Sag

Photo: Keith Hatton

Photo: Dino Keable

Photo: Andi Elliott

Photo: Caoimhe Burke

Charles Bridge photo by Aleksandar Juloski

Photo: Aleksandar Juloski

Photo: Bob Marquart

Photo: David Asch

Photo: obfuscator

Photo: Keith Hatton

Photo: Candine Peters

Photo: Jim Vaughey

Photo: Matthew Hall

Photo: Paul Roach

Photo: Langs x 2

Photo: Rich pick

Photo: Emily Wendel

Photo: Petr Smolik

Photo: Rachel Portele

Church of Our Lady before Tyn

A dominating presence on Old Town Square Celetna 5
Prague 11000
+420 6 0230 6186
http://tynska.farnost.cz
dkc@cmail.cz This fairy tale Gothic church with its twin towers is an Old Town landmark, and its ominous presence has dominated the square for centuries. Most noteworthy on the inside is the tomb of Rudolf II's personal astronomer, Tycho Brahe. When lit up at night, it adds to the "magic Prague" effect the city has on many visitors. Work on the church began in the first half of the 14th century but it was not until the end of the 16th century that it was completed. Its 80-meter towers topped by four small spires were customary during the reign of Emperor Charles IV.

Review © 2007, Wcities

Photo: Stephanie Giacoletto
Photo: Seth Rudy
Photo: Cory George
Photo: Barry Leiba
Photo: Anna Scott
Photo: TwoCrabs
Photo: Lisa Cooper
Photo: Larina

Photo: K. Bruyette
Photo: Tony Ruscoe
Photo: Ben Woodward
Photo: James Lacey
Photo: Matthew Hogge
Photo: james.9t6
Photo: Erik Wilson
Photo: Viljar Sepp

Photo: joey lee

Dancing House

The Fred and Ginger building Rašínovo nábreží 80
Prague 12000
+420 2 2171 4444 (Tourism Information Centre) Arguably the reason for the biggest architectural controversy ever in the city, the post-modern "Dancing House" portrays a tango couple in an outfitted glass skirt with tussled haired held by a narrow concrete column. Situated on the banks of the Vltava River, the Fred and Ginger Building, built by American Frank Gehry and Vlado Milunic, contains several offices, a street level bar and fancy French restaurant on top. The building is amongst the most unusual of Prague's varied architectural sights.

Review © 2007, Wcities

Photo: Mat Von Thies
Photo: Photo-graff
Photo: 3dom
Photo: Karel Polt
Photo: Fernando Chao
Photo: Ivan Raimondi
Photo: mharjo
Photo: mimuthings

Photo: Wolfgang Staudt
Photo: Charlotte Thompson
Photo: Cathy TU
Photo: Kieran Lynam
Photo: Tom Buck
Photo: Donald Judge
Photo: Steve Drolet
Photo: Temperature

Photo: Xavier Vagedes
Photo: ©Wayne Minter
Photo: Chris Taylor
Photo: Lauren Campy

Franz Kafka Museum

Explore Prague through Kafka Hergetova Cihelna, Cihelná 2b
Prague 11000
+420 2 5753 5507 / +420 2 2145 1400
http://www.kafkamuseum.cz/
info@kafkamuseum.cz Centre de Culrura Contemporania in Barcelona (CCCB) brought this creative exhibit to life. Having penned The Trial, Metamorphosis, and The Castle, Franz Kafka (1883-1924) is the apostle of the literature of paranoia. While Kafka never specifies the exact setting within his stories, Prague's presence is powerful within many. The city has also made a lasting impression on the author himself. These ideas are highlighted in the museum's two sections, Existential Space and Imaginary Topography. Featuring first editions of Kafka's works, letters, drawings, manuscripts, and audio-visual pieces, this museum allows you to explore Prague through Kafka.

Review © 2007, Wcities

Photo: Patricia Lee
Photo: Eduardo Simioni
Photo: Boris Tikhomirov
Photo: Lenka Peacock
Photo: Gabor Takacs
Photo: T.Inoue.jp
Photo: Helena Min
Photo: Nicolas Zein

Photo: Delip Rao
Photo: Dana Larose
Photo: eye_quake
Photo: cholmondelly
Photo: Andi Pringle
Photo: Marie

Hlavni Nadrazi

Prague's main railway station Wilsonova 80
Prague 11000
+420 2 2422 4200
http://www.cdrail.cz
info@cdrail.cz Although the interior might be better known to locals for attracting not exactly the most upstanding members of society who loiter day and night, the huge structure is an architectural landmark in its own right. Having recently been refurbished, the station still features prominent art nouveau architecture, with naked figures and high roofs. Designed by Josef Fanta and opened in 1909, it is best approached from Wilsonova Street behind the National Museum so it can be enjoyed in all its glory. This is the main station in Prague with trains going to all the major Czech cities and the rest of Europe. Guests waiting for a train should wander up to the beautifully furnished café to kill time in more pleasant surroundings.

Review © 2007, Wcities

Photo: Yvonne
Photo: Lucie Bartosova
Photo: wtrtwnguy
Photo: Daniel Zollinger
Photo: Jonathan Khoo
Photo: maybemaq
Photo: Mathias Sogorski
Photo: Hilda Hoy

Photo: xmarcelinaxx
Photo: Tara Bledsoe
Photo: Daniel Putík
Photo: ilyacz
Photo: miss sweden
Photo: Katie Mclaughlin
Photo: jamiepantherina
Photo: Emalyn Guzman

Photo: Slow Learner
Photo: hipguedellas
Photo: Julio
Photo: Jane Rawson

Mihulka - The Powder Tower

Part of the castle fortifications Hradcanské námestí
Prague 11800
+420 2 2437 3368 (Information)
http://www.hrad.cz
tourinfo@pis.cz By the side of St Vitus Cathedral, this round artillery bastion was part of the castle fortifications and served as a workshop for gunsmiths and an alchemist in the 16th century. There is a permanent exhibition of medieval arts and crafts, astrology and alchemy. For lovers of the Medieval Age, it is a rewarding visit for its surprisingly broad scope considering the brevity of its collection. Although being a main tourist attraction at the Castle, it is often overlooked by those heading straight for the views of the city below.

Review © 2007, Wcities

Photo: badboybob
Photo: Hannah RH Newton

Old Town Hall and Astronomical Clock

Convergence point for tourists Staromestské námestí
Prague 11000
+420 2 2448 2751
tourinfo@pis.cz This is the vortex of tourist activity in Prague, whether it be to catch a glimpse of the clock's elusive statuettes, check out one of the town hall's exhibitions or climb the tower. It was in 1338, during the reign of King John of Luxembourg (1310-1346), that work began on the building of a town hall. The oldest parts of this complex of buildings are the Gothic sections and the tower. In May 1945, the Nazis set fire to the building as their last act during the occupation, but most of the damage has been repaired. The clock originated from the beginning of the 15th century and, every hour, the Twelve Apostles (added in 1490) move across just above the clock face, bowing to the crowd on the square. Finally, the clock strikes the hour.

Review © 2007, Wcities

Photo: Aidan McMichael
Photo: Jay Turner
Photo: Kerry Moorhouse
Photo: Merci Niebres
Photo: JuanJ
Photo: Daniel C. Warshaw
Photo: Aidan McMichael
Photo: Darryn Weinstein

Photo: Cameron Booth
Photo: Pieter and Vanessa
Photo: HexMachina
Photo: Nao Hayashi
Photo: Axel
Photo: Hervé BRY
Photo: Archie Thom
Photo: Frank Carrick

Photo: Mr Weeeee

Old Town Square

Ancient, pedestrianised square Staromestske namesti
Prague 11000
+420 2 2171 4444 (Tourist Information Centre) The oldest and most important square in historic Prague, dating from before the 12th century, it was originally a market place where merchants from all over Europe gathered. The square has witnessed many events of historical importance including the execution of 27 Bohemian squires in 1621 and the installation of the new city council in 1784 after the five districts of Prague were united. It was also the epicenter of the Prague Uprising in May 1945. The Hus Monument (1915) stands in the square's center. The monument is surrounded by a baroque mantle of some of the city's finest buildings (all of great historic and architectural interest) colored in pastel hues. Nowadays, the square is closed to traffic and serves as the setting for many outdoor restaurants, bars and cafes as well as for stalls selling traditional Czech arts and crafts.

Review © 2007, Wcities

Photo: Steve Evans
Photo: Keith Page
Photo: Terry Pressley
Photo: Neha Viswanathan
Photo: M.A. Jones
Photo: Crispin Semmens
Photo: Matt Drobnik
Photo: David-Michael Cook

Photo: Ben Harris-Roxas
Photo: Nicole Arsenault
Photo: Tomas Jansson
Photo: hugovk
Photo: Aaron
Photo: gilesrapkin
Photo: Jen Le
Photo: geroyche

Photo: Agnieszka Lazar
Photo: Jennifer Snyder
Photo: Jiashiang Wang

Petrin Hill Funicular

To the tower Ujezd
Prague 11800
+420 2 2171 4444 (Prague Tourist Information Centre) The charming Victorian Funicular is one of Prague's most popular sights. It offers a slow, but enjoyable trip to the top of Petrin Hill where there are splendid panoramic views of the city, a replica Eiffel Tower, and a strange Mirror Maze. The funicular, tower and maze date from an exhibition in 1891. Although the small train was out of service for two decades, it was beautifully restored and reopened in 1985.

Review © 2007, Wcities

Photo: eviltwin
Photo: jonsearlesphoto
Photo: Rachel Brekhus
Photo: Liam Farrell
Photo: tramways2007
Photo: Mark Cowell
Photo: Jen Wilcox
Photo: Al Edge

Prague

The beautiful and historic city of Prague lies in the heart of Europe and is home to Charles Bridge, Wenceslas Square and the river Vltava. It has a rich artistic and cultural heritage which is reflected in its splendid art nouveau architecture.

Review © 2007, Wcities

Photo: Mike
Photo: Stoffel Van Eeckhoudt
Photo: John Karwoski
Photo: Rising Fan

St. George's Basilica

Music up at the castle Jirské námestí 33
Prazsky Hrad
Prague 11908
+420 2 2437 3368
http://hrad.cz/en/prazsky_hrad...
tourist.info@hrad.cz In Prague, one is able to listen to baroque music played in baroque churches. The music here is also baroque, with lashings of 'The Four Seasons' and Bach concertos, plus a little Mozart. This Romanesque church is probably one of the most well-preserved examples of its kind in the country. As most concerts start at 5:30 p, you could take a stroll through the castle afterwards, when most of the tourists have already left.

Review © 2007, Wcities

Photo: Craig Wyzik
Photo: Lisa Lagergren
Photo: Ross Hornsby
Photo: Adam Johns
Photo: Tobias Carroll
Photo: Kyle Cox
Photo: fotoreise
Photo: N Boxall

Photo: Michael Leftwich
Photo: Lauren Campbell
Photo: Jamie Freed
Photo: faithx5

Wenceslas Square

The heart of Prague Václavské námestí 68
Prague 11000
+420 (0)2 2171 4444 (Tourist Information Centre) Prague's main thoroughfare is more of a sloping boulevard than a square, with a central concourse flanked by two roadways. The hub of cultural, social and business activity with its many shops, hotels, bars and restaurants, it is busy both day and night. The square has long been the center of protest—from a large outdoor mass demonstration in 1848 to the declaration of the first Republic in 1918, not forgetting the anti-communist protests of 1968 and the Velvet Revolution gatherings of 1989. It came into being in 1348 as part of the New Town and was originally used (and known) as the Horse Market until 1848 when it was finally given its present name. The square is dominated by the National Museum at the top end, just below which is the Wenceslas Monument.

Review © 2007, Wcities

Photo: Sam and Ian
Photo: Sherry Neal
Photo: jan zeschky
Photo: Robert Scarth
Photo: Harold Brelstaff
Photo: Nick Evans
Photo: daveyoung
Photo: Aaron Severance

Photo: chillihead
Photo: Paul C. Nendick
Photo: Rob Sawkins
Photo: Jacob Barkai
Photo: Chris Grey
Photo: Colin Mcginnis
Photo: Caroline
Photo: Sam Holloway

Photo: Andrew Phillips
Photo: Jonathan Dickinson