Top 10 Attractions in Prague

Let us share with you Top 10 Attractions in Prague!

Prague is nickname as “City of a thousand spires” through a glance of their beautiful skyline, you will get a splendid view of domed churches and sky-high old towers which makes Prague one of the architectural gems in Europe.

Today, it is a city that garners great tourist interest and brings in visitors from all over the world for its historical architectures and rich history.

1. Prague Castle

Prague Castle is the home to a number of the most popular tourist sites in Prague, which includes the St. Vitus Cathedral, St. George’s Basilica, Powder Tower, Old Royal Palace and the Golden Lane.

It is by far the largest ancient castle in the world according to the Guinness Book of Records which measures up to 570 meters in length and 130 meters in width. Despite its name, it is actually more like a complex with an area total up to 753,474 square feet. Hence, it will take quite some time to stroll through the whole castle grounds due to its massive layout.

2. St. Vitus Cathedral

It’s the biggest and undeniably the most important church in the Czech Republic. Within these walls held the coronations of the Czech Kings and Queens while beneath it are the tombs of numerous saints and three Bohemian kings.

Do you know that it took half a millennium to complete the construction of the St. Vitus Cathedral? It actually started building in 1344 and was ceased by Hussite wars and finally finished in 1929 thanks to the Union of Completion of the St. Vitus.

3. St. Nicholas Church at Malá Strana

The St. Nicholas Church is the most famous Baroque church in Prague and an extraordinary example of High Baroque architecture. Its size and monumental interior captivates visitors’ eyes and astonish them. One of the main highlights will be the church’s Baroque organ, which was installed in 1746 and played by Mozart in 1787.

4. Charles Bridge

Charles Bridge is a gothic style stone bridge which connects the Old Town and Lesser Town (Mala Strana). It started building in 1357 and have survived many floods over the hundreds of years, especially during 2002 when Prague experienced the worst flood in the past 500 years.

There is an interesting fact about how Charles Bridge is built, it is said that egg yolks were mixed into the mortar so as to strengthen the construction of the bridge! Just like the logic where egg yolks are added when baking to form the dough that holds well together. Even though there is no evidence to prove whether it’s true, but I guess the egg yolks worked, seeing how Charles Bridge survived through many floods.

The Charles Bridge Towers stands at each end of the bridge and you can get a spectacular view of the area when you climbed till the top.

You will be able to see the Baroque statues that stood at the sides of the bridge while walking along and it is now a pedestrian zone filled with Czech artists, musicians and souvenir vendors all year round.

The best time to head down to the bridge is at sunset which you will be able to enjoy a breathtaking view of the fully lit Prague Castle against the evening sky.

5. Old Town Square

The square is over 1.7 hectares with a deep-seated history portraying Prague's gruesome and glorious past. In the centre of the square is an enormous monument of the religious reformer, Jan Hus, who was burnt at the stake for his beliefs which started the Hussite wars. Despite that, the square was the site of coronation ceremonies since 1311 where hundreds of villagers would come here to celebrate their new leaders, being all dressed up, throwing flowers and dancing on the streets.

You can also look forward to their Christmas Markets where a large Christmas tree will be decorated and many medieval inspired stalls which attracts thousands of people. There will also be bands playing throughout the day while you enjoy the lively market and grab a bite.

6. Church of Our Lady before Týn

Its distinctive pair of Gothic spires makes the Church of Our Lady before Týn a distinct and evident landmark of Old Town. However, the two towers are actually not identical. The Northern tower is called Eve while the Southern tower (about 1 m taller) is Adam. It is to represent the masculine and feminine sides of the world, which is the characteristic of Gothic architecture during that period. Right in front of it is the Týn School, hence the entrance to the church is actually along a passageway from the square which can be identified by the path shone by the ray of sun.

7. Astronomical Clock

Prague Astronomical Clock has been one of the greatest treasures of the city for more than 600 years and still continues to amaze people with its enchanting mechanical performance of the 12 Apostles and moving statues. Every hour, two windows will open where the 12 Apostles greets the city. At the same time the 4 statues that are at the side of the clock also move which represents four things that were despised at that period of time when the clock was made.

On the left side of the clock is Vanity, represented by a figure admiring himself in a mirror. Next to it, the Miser who is holding a bag of gold and waving his stick represents greed. On the right side of the clock stands Death, a skeleton that strikes the time upon the hour and next to it there is a figure representing lust and earthly pleasures.

Every hour, the skeleton will ring the bell and immediately all other figures start shaking their heads, signifying that they are not ready “to go.” Which tells us that, if vanity, greed and lust don’t leave you, death will come to you soon.

8. Old New Synagogue

Old New Synagogue is the oldest active synagogue in Europe, a house of worship for Jewish. There are various legends and myths revolving and the most well known one will be the Golem. It is a clay giant created by the most famous Rabbi of the medieval Prague ghetto, Rabbi Loew, to protect the Jews from mob violence at that time. He is so respected that till this day, no one has ever sat on his chair in the synagogue since his death in 1609.

9. Prague City Hall

Prague City Hall was build as the Old Town Hall was no longer sufficient for the growing Prague at the beginning of 20^thcentury. At the back of the building is the famous paternoster lift in Prague being the most accessible and the best maintained one. It is a “continuously moving” elevator that is popularly used by in Government buildings.

Despite of the potential safety hazard, it is actually an interesting experience to keep riding the lift till it reaches the top or bottom floor where is shakes and moves sideways in the dark. But of course, you have to be quick in reaction to jump in and jump off the lift.

10. Dancing House

Prague Dancing House is a highly original building that resembles and also inspired by two dancers – Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers. It’s one of the most significant landmarks in Prague and internationally renowned architecture. The dome at the top is actually called “Medusa” for its shape.

There is also a sightseeing terrace on top, which you will be able to overlook the breathtaking view of Prague.