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 Art nouveau gem on Wenceslas Square |
Vaclavske namesti 5-7 Prague, Prague 11000 Czech Republic +420 2 2419 3111 / +420 2 2419 3876 (Reservations) http://www.ambassador.cz |
A much-needed restoration job put the pride back into the "The Golden Goose" before a sadly deteriorating interior slowly rendered it more "The Ugly Duckling". Now with interiors matching the amazing art nouveau façade on Wenceslas Square, the hotel is a winner with top service and excellent views. The fancy restaurant below serves up tasty local dishes along with continental selections. A possible drawback - or attraction, depending on your taste - is the casino below and the gentlemen's revue bar next door which rarely seem to close. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Prague's number one attraction |
Malá Strana Prague 11000 Czech Republic +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 |
 Photo: Aleksandar Juloski |
 Photo: Bob Marquart |
 Photo: David Asch |
 Photo: Derrick Malone |
 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 |
 Photo: Matthew Fergusson |
 Photo: Joe & Kerri Liu |
 Photo: CurtTheCreator |
 Photo: WILSON FRANÇA |
 Photo: Jaroslav Zakravsky |
 Photo: Andrew Malcovsky |
 Photo: Haukur Sigurðsson |
 Photo: Ron Lamb |
 Photo: Tom Johson |
 Photo: kalifornia7777 |
 Photo: Jonathan Sutcliffe |
 Photo: exchman |
 Photo: Maria Luciana Rincon Tamanini |
 Photo: Isidro Vila Verde |
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Excellent views of Wenceslas Square |
Vaclavske namesti 45 Prague 11000 Czech Republic +420 2 2282 2111 http://www.jalta.cz |
This fairly famous 1950s hotel, built in the socialist-realist style, recently received a much-needed restoration job which luckily retained its atmosphere of faded elegance. Known as a crossing ground for spies and informers back in the old days, the hotel lobby seems to soak up the upbeat, non-stop pace of Wenceslas Square while pleasant, quiet rooms await above. The terrace and balconies overlooking the square are hits in the summer. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: pmackin1959 |
 The Original Black Light Theatre |
U Lékárny 597 Prague 15600 Czech Republic +420 2 5792 1835 / +420 2 5792 3397 http://www.blacktheatresrnec.cz/ |
Black light theatre—which the founder of this troupe claims to have invented—is based on the simple observation that the colour black tends to disappear against a black backdrop. With the proper lighting, actors dressed all in black can seem to appear from nowhere, float through the air or shed their skins and be transformed into something quite unexpected. Used as a stage effect in performances of mime, clowning and other non-verbal theatre, this technique has been the bread and butter of Prague's tourist industry since the sixties. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Animal, vegetable or mineral? |
Václavské námestí 68 Prague 11000 Czech Republic +420 2 2449 7111 http://www.nm.cz/ |
One of the city's most characteristic sights, this massive Neo-Renaissance construction dating back to the late nineteenth century overlooks the town from the top end of Wenceslas Square. Soviet troops fired on the museum as they occupied Prague in August 1968. The interior is fairly dramatic: a grand staircase sweeps up to the 'Pantheon'—a hall filled with busts of Czech cultural heroes. The exhibits are old-fashioned, focusing on fossils, stuffed animals, minerals and archaeological finds. One or two temporary exhibits are usually on show— these are occasionally of contemporary art. ADmission is free on the first Monday of the month. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: Melissa |
 Photo: Rob Todd |
 Photo: Jay Carlson |
 Photo: Michael J Thiele |
 Photo: Andy Piper |
 Photo: Eduardo Munive |
 Photo: Martin Begrich |
 Photo: Esther |
 Photo: Astria W |
 Photo: T Bryce Yehl |
 Photo: Johan Paul |
 Photo: Steve Roe |
 Photo: Peter Burgess |
 Photo: Michael Aronow |
 Photo: Ben Sowell |
 Photo: A Brett: 8eye.co.uk |
 Photo: Stefano |
 Photo: giulyanna loureiro |
 Photo: Vijay Vishwanathan |
 Photo: Peter Frank |
 Photo: Javier San Agustin |
 Photo: Monika |
 Photo: Ryan Joly |
 Photo: Chris Wilcox |
 Photo: martin werker |
 Photo: Ilana Smith |
 Photo: Mike McWay |
 Photo: Chiquita Dineyanti |
 Photo: James Merriman |
 Photo: Karen Lee |
 Photo: Mary Yakas |
 Photo: V Venkatapathy |
 Photo: Kelly Baumeister |
 Photo: cassiano rabelo |
 Photo: Daniel Weight |
 Photo: Chris Threadgold |
 Photo: Ankur Aggarwal |
 World-renowned festival |
Hellichova (office) 18 (performances take place at various venues) Prague 11800 Czech Republic +420 257 312 547 http://www.festival.cz/rubrika... |
Founded soon after World War II, Prague Spring quickly established itself as one of the continent's major classical festivals. The offerings have expanded to take in contemporary groups in addition to the high-quality classical orchestras. Advance tickets for Czechs, or those who can speak the language, go on sale in late winter and must be ordered by mid-March. Two weeks before the festival's opening, leftover tickets are sold at the box office and at some local ticket agencies. Tickets ordered through travel agents can be expensive. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Live jazz club |
Narodni 20 Prague 11000 Czech Republic +420 2 8484 1759 / +420 2 2493 3487 http://www.redutajazzclub.cz/ |
This Prague jazz club played its part in the cultural revival of the mid-60s. Much later, a sax player named Clinton took the stage here while on a state visit to the democratic Czech Republic. Although the line-up of acts may seem fairly static, there are a few relative newcomers such as the sultry singer Yvonne Sanchez who alternate with reliable old favourites, among them pianist Emil Viklicky and songstress Vlasta Pruchova (incidentally, she's Jan Hammer's mother). Live music starts at 9pm. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: Elizabeth Kalinski |
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Black tie recommended |
Alšovo Nábreží 12 Prague 11000 Czech Republic +420 2 2705 9352 (Box Office) http://www.rudolfinum.cz/ |
This elegant sandstone monument by the river is a wonderful place to listen to classical music. An ensemble that many think of as the last proponent of the rich 'Central European sound', considers the main Dvorak Hall its home. This ensemble is the Czech Philharmonic Orchestra, now conducted by the Russian emigré, Vladimir Ashkenazy. Chamber concerts are held in the Suk Hall. When the Czech Philharmonic isn't playing, you can hear anything from provincial Czech orchestras to the excellent Talich Quartet or the Prague Chamber Philharmonic, headed by ex-Czech Philharmonic conductor Jiri Belohlavek. Advance tickets go on sale on the 20th of the preceding month. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: Josh Tidsbury |
 Photo: Ahmad Al-Kashef |
 Photo: Eric Berdondini |
 Photo: Mete Balci |
 Photo: Nick Wright |
 Photo: Richard Birkett |
 Photo: Spiros Kakouris |
 Photo: Kyle Rokos |
 Photo: lavoieduval |
 Photo: karl_nemo1954 |
 Photo: dellafels |
 Photo: d_jsammy |
 Photo: D. Hyde |
 Photo: Graham Ewing |
 Photo: Mirka Mikolajova |
 Photo: Fred Weaver |
 Photo: Saskia Bosch van Ros |
 Photo: Ivan Philippov |
 Photo: Charles Patrick O'Donnell |
 Photo: agnolucci |
 Photo: The Sander's |
 Photo: robynUK |
 Photo: Richard Pringle |
 Photo: beatrixR |
 Photo: nafanyak |
 Photo: Andreas Broman |
 Photo: Brendan Evans |
 Photo: Dr. Malcolm |
 Photo: Silvia Donato |
 Photo: Alexandra Peterson |
 Photo: completehack |
 Photo: Elsie Ooi |
 Photo: Javier Blesa Martínez |
 Photo: Lok Man Ho |
 Photo: Patrick Zörner |
 Photo: T.C. Litzinger |
 Photo: Paul & Sylvia Harvey |
 The theatre of the estates |
Ovocny Trh Prague 11000 Czech Republic +420 224 227 981 http://www.estatestheatre.cz/ |
This theatre is the oldest theatre building in Prague. Count F. A. Nostic built the classicist structure with a richly decorated edifice between the years 1781 and 1783. There was extensive reconstruction work undertaken in the late 1980's and the theatre reopened in 1991. The theatre's early performances were works by W. A. Mozart and, since then, it has always been closely associated with the great composer. In December 1834 the song "Kde domov muj" (Where Is My Home) was played here for the first time, later becoming the Czech National Anthem. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: Marta Johnson |
 Photo: Megan M. Reilly |
 Photo: Jackie Sheeran |
 Photo: Iva Jedlicka |
 Photo: RadekRAT |