Prague Attractions, Czech Republic

Prague
Prague is the capital and largest city of the Czech Republic. Situated on the Vltava river in central Bohemia, it is home to approximately 1.2 million people. (It can be derived from jobs statistics, however, that an additional 300,000 work there without having registered as residents.)
Nicknames for Prague have included "city of a hundred spires" and "the golden city". Since 1992, the historic center of Prague has been included in the UNESCO list of World Heritage Sites. According to Guinness World Records, Prague Castle is the largest ancient castle in the world.

Josefov / Jewish Quarter of Prague
Prague has long had a Jewish Quarter. It was originally located in the Castle district but eventually spread over to the Josefov area around the 12th Century. Josefov was little more than a slum area until the end of the 19th Century. In the late 1800s large sections of the Jewish Quarter were demolished and art nouveau apartment buildings went up. Josefov is now a nice area to stroll through with a wealth of historic information on the Jewish history in Prague.
During the Second World War, while most Jewish communities across the country were being wiped out, Prague's Jewish community was permitted to preserve its treasures. However, many of the Jewish people in Prague and across the Czech Republic were sent to concentration camps where they perished. Hitler's ultimate goal was to preserve the Jewish Quarter to be "The Museum of the Extinct Jewish Race".
The main attractions in Josefov are the Old-New Synagogue and six buildings which make up the Jewish Museum. The six sights are the Maisel Synagogue, Spanish Synagogue, Pinkas Synagogue, Old Jewish Cemetery, Ceremonial Hall, and Klaus Synagogue. These sights combine to form an incredibly moving and informative display on Jewish History in Prague and the Czech Republic.

Strahov Monastery and Library
The Strahov Monastery and Library (Strahovsky kláster) dates to the 12th Century and is the second oldest Monastery in Prague. Strahov Monastery is actually a collection of buildings, each with its own unique character. An imposing gateway marks the entrance to the monastery where just inside visitors will find the Church of the Assumption of our Lady (Nanebezveti Panny Marie) and the Church of St Roch (Kostel sv Roch).
The Strahov Monastery is well known for its two Baroque libraries. The Philosophical Library (Filosoficky sál) contains some extraordinary furnishings from Louka Monastery in Moravia. Upon acquiring the furnishings the Strahov Monastery altered the library structure to adapt to the new acquisitions. The Philosophical Library ceiling was painted by Franz Anton Maulbertsch and depicts "enlightenment". The second library is the Theological Library is the highlight of the monastery. This splendid Baroque room with a beautiful ornate painted ceiling, done by Siard Nosecky, a Strahov Monk, is the finest Baroque room in Prague. The ceiling frescoes are framed by detailed stucco work. This room is truly a Baroque masterpiece. The libraries collections contain many rare, old volumes and manuscripts, including the 9th Century Strahov Gospel.
In the basement are old printing presses, as well as some old furniture, and the remains of St Norbert, founder of the Premonstratensian order. Also of note at the Strahov Monastery are the cloisters which houses a religious art collection and treasury.

Charles Bridge
The Charles bridge (Karluv Most) boasts 32 points of interest in 520m / 1720ft. Visitors will find everything from a lucky plaque that you rub to one of the finest examples of Gothic gates, and sketch artists lining the walkway.
Built in 1357 the Charles Bridge had an auspicious start. To avoid being destroyed by floods a great deal of luck was required. This luck was provided by having the initial bridge stone laid in 1357 on the 9th of July at 5:31. This date is a palindrome: 135797531. Also taken into consideration was the alignment of the bridge. It is perfectly aligned with the tomb of St Vitus and the setting sun on the equinox. Roman engineering also helped!
To see who the bridge was named after, go to the Old Town end of the bridge and here you will find a statue of the Holy Roman Emperor Charles IV with four women at the base.
The statue of John of Nepomuk unveiled in 1683 is the oldest monument on the Charles Bridge. Rubbing the plaque at the base of the statue is considered lucky but be sure of your wish, you are only allowed one rub and wish per lifetime! Don't touch the dog, it's considered unlucky.

Old Town Hall and Astronomical Clock
The Old Town Hall (Staromestská radnice) on Prague's Old Town Square is no longer an administrative center. Instead, it seems the building's main purpose is to attract tourists. Drawing the crowds, which gather around the building at the top of the hour, is the Astronomical Clock (orloj) that adorns the Old Town Hall. The Astronomical Clock was designed by Mikulás of Kadan and built in 1410. It was later redesigned in the late 1400s and the artists in charge or the reconstruction is said to have been blinded following the completion of the project. This was apparently done to prevent him from creating any replicas. On the hour the clock comes to life with the 12 Apostles and other figures that appear and parade by in procession.
The Old Town Hall has some other interesting attributes, and is actually a complex consisting of several buildings. A Gothic doorway marks the main entrance and visitors should consider having a look inside. Occasionally art exhibitions are held here. There is also a chapel on site, built in 1381, and the basement, which is sometimes open to visitors, is the old prison. Visitors can go to the top of the Old Town Hall tower, either via stairs or an elevator, for fine views out over Prague.

Prague Castle
Located in the neighborhood of Hradcany, Prague Castle (Prazsky Hrad) is the city's mian attraction and a must see on every visitors list. Within the castle travelers will find some of Prague's best sites, including the Cathedral of St Vitus, St George's Basilica and convent, St George's Basilica, the Powder Tower, the Old Royal Palace and the Golden Lane. Originally the residence of Bohemian kings, the castle is today inhabited by the Czech president. The castle is huge and is in fact known for being the largest ancient castle in the world. Allow a considerable amount of time to tour these sites, and to avoid crowds go early in the day.
Originally started as a walled building in 970, the castle has changed dramatically over the years. It contains almost all the architectural styles from the last millennium. With its hilltop location Prague Castle provides wonderful views out over the Vltava River with the old town in the background. From here visitors can see why Prague is nicknamed the city of a thousand spires. Literally hundreds of spires poke up from golden domes throughout the city.

Dancing House
The Dancing House (Tancici Dum) is one of Prague's modern creations. Built between 1992 and 1996 and designed by Frank Gehry, this building, which is in fact two side by side adjoining towers, features unique curves that look like two dancing figures. One of the towers is in the shape of a woman wearing a skirt. American architects refer to the building as "Fred and Ginger" or "Astaire and Rogers". On the top floor is the Le Perle de Prague Restaurant, regarded as one of the best restaurants in Prague. On the main level is a café, while the rest of the building contains offices.
 

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