Another former Soviet Bloc country now opening its borders and arms to the western world, the Czech Republic is a complex and exciting country to visit, offering us reminders of its time within the communist regime while also charming us with its enduring history and friendly, hospitable people. If Bohemia and its architecture get your pulse racing, then this top ten Czech Republic attractions listis for you!
10. Prague Zoo (Zoo Praha)
flickr/Tambako the Jaguar
If the animal kingdom is a passion of yours then this attraction in central Prague should be high on your list of places to see. Recovering from heavy flooding in June of 2013 when the equivalent of two months rainfall fell in just a few days – resulting in over a thousand animals having to be moved to higher ground, the Prague Zoo is home to around 4500 animals, representing around 700 species from around the world and is considered one of the finest zoos in the world.
9. KGB Museum
flickr/jev55
Shush… sliding in surreptitiously at number nine is a very interesting museum in Prague which aims to shed light on a period of Czech history which, with the dissolution of the United Soviet Socialist Republic, is now available for all to see. The museum pointedly claims it does not wish to portray or vindicate any forms of racial hatred or political bias or oppression but is simply there to illustrate a part of Czech history. Certainly for anyone interested in knowing more about this time period there are plenty of fascinating exhibits here – including Lenin’s death mask, the murder weapon of Leon Trotsky (wasn’t it an ice-pick?) various belongings from leading members of the Socialist Party and assorted equipment from the KGB’s secret laboratories, plus n unique photographic exhibition which shows how Czechoslovakia (as it then was known) looked during the year 1968 through the eyes of an incumbent KGB officer. Fascinating stuff.
8. Castle District (Hradcany)
flickr/Ewelina
At number eight in our top ten tourist attractions in the Czech Republic is the Hradcany or Castle District of the city of Prague. Prague is renowned for its wonderful Bohemian architecture and history abounds throughout the city – nowhere more so than in this district which is the heart of the city of Prague and is dominated by the largest ancient castle in the world – which is the city’s iconic landmark. However the Castle District is much more than just the castle from which it gets its name – spectacular though it is, for there is an abundance of wonderful buildings here to explore and learn about. Choose from the 14th century St Vitus Cathedral with its enormous interior and marvelous Renaissance and Baroque stonework and beautiful gargoyles, or the 10th century Basilica of Saint George, the mediaeval houses of Golden Lane, the Royal Riding School – everywhere you look there are beautiful examples of bygone eras to amaze and fascinate you. Visit the Old Royal Palace – the original seat of the Czech rulers or one of the many other palaces which are dotted around the district. Wherever you go, you will see beauty, history and feel the essence and soul of this wonderful city.
7. Prague Castle
flickr/Ricardo Liberato
Not surprisingly, one place above its surrounding district on our top ten list is Prague Castle itself. This huge castle is the most significant building in the entire country and is symbolic of all things Bohemian and Czech. Built somewhere around the late 9th century Prague castle has world heritage site status from UNESCO and is the biggest castle complex in the world occupying an area of some 70,000 square metres. The castle has over 4000 paintings, many of which are on display in the castle picture gallery and date back to the late 16th century when the then ruler Rudolph II was responsible for attaining the biggest art collection of his time. Visitors can also see the Bohemian Crown Jewels which are on display here. The castle’s considerable status from early Mediaeval times resulted in it being the seat for the ruler of the Holy Roman Empire in the mid 14th century, and as time went on, further fortifications and towers were added, as well as the splendour of the Vladislav Hall which was the biggest vaulted secular building of its period and has some of the finest examples of Renaissance windows in Bohemia. Prague castle is definitely a destination worth (and big enough) to spend a whole day exploring and marvelling at.
6. Old Town Hall and Astronomical Clock (Staromestska Radnice)
flickr/Oscar von Bonsdorff
Another Prague city destination, the Old Town Hall and Astronomical Clock dates back to 1338 when its construction began by the grateful townspeople of Prague after they were allowed the privilege of forming a district council by John the Blind, Count of Luxembourg and King of Bohemia. The tower stands 70 metres high and was completed in 1364. The town hall has had various extensions over the years and was badly damaged during World War II but is now fully restored. Worth visiting in its own right for its various architectural styles ranging from Romanesque to Gothic and Renaissance, the main tourist attraction however is the beautiful Astronomical Clock which was built by early 15th century clockmaker Hanuš who, rumour has it, was then made blind so as to be unable to manufacture a more beautiful time-piece. An unusual and very beautiful clock and a rare treat to see – so set your watch to visiting time and don’t miss it!
5. Cesky Krumlov
flickr/Mauricio Sánchez Rubal
At number five on our top ten Czech Republic visitor attractions is our first destination away from the capital Prague. Cesky Krumlov is 130 kilometres to the south and very close to the Austrian border and is a wonderful example of a once-mediaeval town which has evolved and survived almost completely intact for more than 500 years. The town was built within the meander of the Vltava River and is in a beautifully scenic setting. Records indicate the town first began life as a castle in 1253 which was owned by the ruling Vitkovici family. Various architectural styles can be seen here – including Romanesque, Baroque, Gothic, High Gothic and Renaissance. Visit here and feel as though at any moment the jousting tournament may begin. Now where did I put my lance and shield?
4. Saint Vitus Cathedral
flickr/Panoramas
Saint Vitus Cathedral in Prague is our next attraction, and it can best be described as the Czech Roman Catholic Church’s most prestigious and important place of worship. This is the cathedral in which many of the coronations of the Czech Kings and Queens have taken place and is the largest church in the country. Correctly called Saint Vitus, St Wenceslas and St Adalbert Cathedral, this beautifully constructed Gothic masterpiece was started in 1344 on the site of an earlier rotunda but took a further six centuries before it was finally completed in 1929. Look at the city of Prague and the chances are that the building that will catch your eye the most will be this one. The great south tower which dominates the skyline is more than 90 metres high and has 287 steps. Fit and intrepid visitors can walk up the tower to see the biggest bell in the Czech Republic – known as Žikmund and the views from the top over the city are awesome too. If you want to learn more about the ruling families and Kings and Queens of Bohemia then this is the place for you – many of them have tombs and are interred here in the crypt along with national Saints.
3. Old Town Square, Prague (Staromestske namesti)
flickr/John Dorbis
If you bravely take us up on our suggestion to climb the bell tower at Saint Vitus Cathedral, then our next destination will be the perfect place to stop, catch your breath, relax with a cup of coffee and just enjoy the sights and sounds. The Old Town Square is one of two beautiful main squares in Prague – the other – St Wenceslas Square. This destination really is old – just as its name suggests – for when you visit the Old Town Square you can feel yourself travel back in time through perhaps six or seven hundred years. The square was first constructed in the 12th century and was used as the original market-place for Prague. Nowadays, while still retaining much of its unique charm, the square is much more at home playing host to many tourists who come to admire the Romanesque, Bohemian and Gothic buildings which line its boundaries. Definitely a destination for ‘people watching’ and to take those ‘we’ll be back again someday’ snapshots.
2. Old Town, Prague (Stare Mesto)
flickr/marin tomic
When you’ve has enough of the people watching from the Old Town Square, why not stretch your legs and take a little gentle exercise for heart and mind with a stroll down the many narrow, winding and very picturesque streets of Prague’s Old Town district. Prague as you have by now no doubt realized, is any artists or historian’s dream – so diverse and yet complementary perfect are its old and wonderful buildings. There is so much to see, learn and do here, from watching street buskers and entertainers, to shopping for souvenirs, visiting museums or perhaps a meal in any one of the many excellent eateries. The choice is yours and one thing is for sure – you’ll be spoilt for choice.
1. Charles Bridge (Karluv Most)
flickr/Shelby_75
Heading our Czech Republic top ten tourist attractions list is a bridge with an extensive and interesting history. The Charles Bridge was originally called the Stone Bridge (Kammeny Most) and its construction began in 1357 during the rule of King Charles IV. The bridge is 621 metres long and 10 metres wide and has 16 arches. It spans the Vltava River and links the Old Town to Prague Castle. The bridge became officially known as Charles Bridge after 1870 when the first omnibus public transport went across the bridge. The bridge is widely visited for many reasons – not least because it contains 30 statues and statuaries of Saints and Patron Saints that were revered at the time the statues were erected (circa 1683 -1714). Today these statues are not the originals but replicas (the originals are in the lapidarium of the National Museum of the Czech Republic). This Gothic style bridge which has 3 towers to protect it – 2 on the Lesser Quarter side and one on the Old Town side is a marvellous piece of historical bridge architecture and our top destination for this most enchantingly romantic and architecturally alluring country.
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