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Best Landmarks in Prague

, 15 Options Found

Vysehrad Castle is situated on the right bank of the Vltava River in Prague. This magnificent fortress was established in the mid-10th Century and was the oldest seat of the Czech nobility. Charles IV built a system of walls linking Vysehrad with Nove Mesto but over the years, most of these were gradually destroyed. The ramparts of the complex offer excellent views of the Vltava River. Nestled inside the premises is the neo-Gothic Basilica of St. Peter and St. Paul, where the legendary Devil's column lies. The Vysehrad Cemetery is the final resting place of musical genius Antonin Dvorak. Home to antiquated granite statues, the fort also features the oldest Rotunda of Prague. A popular location for tourist photography, the castle is a spectacular historical remnant.

The walls of the Prague Castle encompass a whopping 70,000 square meters (750,000 square feet) within their embrace, making this the largest ancient castle in the world. Shaped over 13 centuries, the origins of the castle go back to 870 CE when the Church of the Virgin Mary was built. Former residence of the kings of Bohemia, Roman Emperors and the Presidents of Czechoslovakia, the regal abode is rife with historic treasures, man-made marvels and artistic triumphs. A mélange of architectural styles that spans the ages, the castle is an inspiring sight to behold; a monumental, visual chronicle of the march of time and the prevalent trends of each era. Of special interest is the St. Vitus Cathedral boasting vibrant stained glass windows and the tomb of St. John of Nepomuk.

Rising up from the center of the castle grounds, the Gothic cathedral dominates the Prague skyline and is one of the defining images of the city and its tourist center. The cathedral houses a number of valuable monuments, including the Royal Crypt wherein lies the remains of Czech Royalty, the St Wenceslas Chapel, and the Coronation Chamber where the Crown Jewels are exhibited. The cathedral's foundation stone was laid in 1344 on the initiative of Charles IV (1316-1378) on the site of an earlier 10th Century rotunda dedicated to St Vitus. It was not until 1929 that the cathedral was actually completed. While entrance to the cathedral is free, there is an admission fee for the crypt and other attractions.

Rising from the Old Town side of Charles Bridge, this Gothic, pointy-tipped structure (built in 1373) is flanked by sculptures of St. Vitus and Charles IV. It is open to the public and offers excellent views of the Old Town, the Vltava River and the castle can be enjoyed upon climbing the narrow staircase. The tower was used to show off the heads of twelve Protestant leaders in 1621 after their execution, and was also the site of the final conflict of the Thirty Years War (1618-1648).

The oldest and most important square in Prague, Old Town Square was originally a marketplace where merchants from all over Europe gathered. The square has witnessed many events of historical importance including 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.

Opposite the castle above the Vltava River stands Petrin Hill, which features a structure closely resembling the Eiffel Tower in Paris. Built in 1891, the Petřín Lookout Tower is 63 meters (207 feet) high with 299 steps. It is open to the public and offers a panoramic view of Prague. Surrounding the tower are gardens and several small churches including a wooden one, the logs for which were brought in from the Ukraine in 1929. Closing times are seasonal, but the tower is always open from 10a until early evening.

Amidst the pulsing Old Town Square of the city, the Old Town Hall is the vortex of tourist activity. The several chambers inside the Gothic Old Town Hall serve as venues for exhibitions and events. While the tower of the hall offers terrific views of the historic neighborhood, the underground section is the keeper of Prague's best-kept secrets. The real attraction, however, is the Astronomical Clock on the facade of the hall. Built in the 15th Century and known as Orloj, the clock is a complex set of dials with astronomical details and also positioning of the Sun and Moon. A legend goes that the clockmaker of this unique structure was blinded after its completion and also that the city will face great peril if the clock is neglected and becomes dysfunctional. The figures of twelve apostles were added in 1940 and are designed to move in a particular motion at every hour, just above the clock face. An intriguing and rare monument, the clock is a popular tourist attraction in Old Town.

Originally called Kamenný most or Stone Bridge, Charles Bridge was built over a period of several years between 1357 and 1402. Spanning the Vltava, the bridge connects the Prague Castle and Mala Strana or Little Quarter to Stare Mesto or Old Town Prague. The bridge, with its three towers and 16 arches, is 520 meters (1706 feet) long and is decorated with Baroque statues of saints and holy figures at regular intervals that date back to the 1700s. At dawn and dusk, the bridge is awash in a warm glow which creates a magical picture; one can almost imagine that time stands still in these moments.

The monumental Powder Tower, also known as Power Gate (just to the left of the Municipal House) dates from 1475 and was rebuilt at the end of the 19th Century. Renovated in the mid 1990s, the gold fixtures stand out brilliantly against the tower, now darkened to a coal gray from years of exposure to the elements. Originally used for storing armaments and gunpowder and to guard the entrance to the Old Town, it is now one of only two such towers remaining from the original thirteen. Inside is a small historical exhibition that traces the architecture of the building over the centuries.

Built during the mid-16th Century, Lobkowicz Palace is one of Prague's most important historical sites. Seized by the communist regime from the Lobkowicz clan in 1952, the Palace was returned to the family in 2003. The palace houses a permanent exhibition called The Princely Collections. The Lobkowicz family has been a patron of the arts for over 600 years, resulting in the splendid collection of artwork that is on display. Visitors can see superb Old Master paintings, musical instruments and manuscripts (including period manuscripts and prints of works by Händel, Haydn and Beethoven), spectacular firearms and armor, and rare examples of the decorative arts. In addition, there is Lobkowicz Palace Café and Restaurant with beautiful panoramic views of the city, and a museum gift shop stocked with an eclectic and original assortments of books, jewelry, glass and ceramics, textiles and children's gifts.

Prague's main thoroughfare is more of an inclined 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 irrespective of day or night. Wenceslas 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. It was founded 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 imposing building of the National Museum with the Wenceslas Monument right below it. Art Nouveau architectural style can be dominantly seen in the buildings around Wenceslas Square. In December, the square is abuzz with the spirit of the city's Christmas Market.

Arguably the reason for the biggest architectural controversy ever in the city, the post-modern Dancing House portrays a tango couple dancing. 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 among the most unusual of Prague's varied architectural sights - go and judge its merit for yourself.

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