Prague Luxury Apartments

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Sighteeing

Prague CastlePrague Castle (Prazsky Hrad, or just Hrad to the Czechs) may be the largest ancient castle in the world - 570m (1870ft) long, an average of 128m (420ft) wide and occupying 7.28 hectares (18 acres). It's the most popular tourist attraction in Prague, but at least there's plenty of room to spread out. The castle has been the seat of Czech government since Prince Borivoj founded the first fortified settlement here in the 9th century. Some of the complex's highlights, like the Spanish Hall and Rudolf Gallery, are only open one Saturday a year (usually in early May). The rest of the castle's collection of architectural and artistic marvels, created over the course of the last millennium, are on exhibit. The most popular edifices include Gothic St Vitius Cathedral (1344), its rich decorations epitomized by the glittering Chapel of St Wenceslas; the Old Royal Palace (1135) and its jousting and coronation hall, still used for the swearing in of new presidents; and the Royal Garden (1569), where homesick Hapsburgs surrounded their badminton courts with beautiful flowers and striking Italian Renaissance residences. Don't miss Prague Castle's less famous attractions, such as the network of tunnels the communist government built in 1950 for easy access to the bomb shelters. Other interesting artefacts include the Battling Titans statues (1767-70; Ignac Platzer), which oversee the hourly changing of the guards, and the Toy Museum, featuring one of the world's largest collections, with items dating back to ancient Greece. (We are less than 15 min walk from here)


Charles BridgeCharles Bridge (Karluv Most) connects the Old Town with Lesser Town. The first stone bridge over the Vltava River, replacing a wood construction, was built between 1158 and 1732 during the reign of King Vladislav I. This bridge, named Judith Bridge collapsed in 1342. In 1357, Charles IV started the construction of a new bridge. The supervisor of the project was Peter Parler, who also constructed the chancel of the St. Vitus Cathedral. The Karluv Most, 502 meters long and resting on 16 arches was wide enough for 4 carriages to cross at the same time and would be the only permanent link between both riversides. Until 1683, there was no statue on the bridge. The statue of St. John of Nepomuk was the first one placed on the Charles Bridge, resulting in the total of about 30 sculptures presently decorating the Karluv Most. On the Lesser Town end of the Charles Bridge are two bridge towers. The smaller one is a 12th century remainder of the Judith Bridge. The taller, Late Gothic tower was erected in 1464 on the orders of King George of Podebrady who wanted a counterweight to the Old Town Bridge Tower. Foundation of this Late Gothic tower was started in 1370 and finished around 1400. The beautiful sculptures decorating this tower are created by Peter Parler. (We are less than 15 min walk from here)


Old Town SquareOld Town Square in Stare Mesto (Old Town) is the heart of the Old City since the 11th century and the greatest sight to see in Prague. Dominated by 18th century Baroque facades, you can see the Gothic originals behind those facades if you climb to the top of the Town Hall Tower and look down the steep roofs. Townsfolk and tourists gather in the square a few minutes before the hour to see the 15th century Astronomical Clock, in the Old Town Hall, where the life size wooden statues of the 12 Apostles rotate in two windows above the main dial as the clock strikes the hour. The great statue of Jan Hus is the epitome of the Old Town Square where Praguers have congregated throughout the centuries to demonstrate their feelings. (We are less than 1 min walk from here)


Powder TowerThe 65m tall Powder Tower is the gateway to the Royal Route which leads through the Old Town over the Charles Bridge to the castle up the hill. The gothic Powder Tower was built in 1475 during the reign of King Vladislav II at the site of an 11th century gate, one of Prague's 13 original city gates. The master builder Matous Rejsek constructed an ornate tower based on the 14th century Old Town Bridge Tower. Originally the tower was known as the Mountain Tower, but ever since the structure was used as a gunpowder storage space in the 17th century, it is known as the Powder' Tower. The Powder Tower (Prasna Brana) is located at the edge of Old Town (Stare Mesto), right next to the Municipal House (Obecní Dum). (We are less than 5 min walk from here)


Tyn ChurchTyn Church is the most remarkable aspect of this building is the gothic vaulting. Construction of the Romanesque/early Gothic church started in 1365 when German merchants provided funds for a basilica to serve as their main church. The grand portal was built in 1390. The West front wasn't erected until after the Hussite wars in 1485; the south tower was finished in 1511.







Wenceslas squareWenceslas square was laid out in 1348 by King Charles IV. The large square, measuring 750m (0,5mi) by 60m, originally functioned as a horse market but evolved into Prague's central boulevard lined with grand turn of the century buildings. The many hotels, shops and restaurants around Wenceslas Square attract throngs of tourists and locals alike. In front of the museum is a bronze equestrian statue of St. Wenceslas. Wenceslas, 'the good king' was a Bohemian Duke spreading Christianity. Murdered in 929 by his brother he was later declared a Saint and eventually became a national Czech symbol. Not far from this monument Jan Palach set himself on fire to protest the Soviet occupation in 1969. A small plaque commemorates Palach and other victims of the Soviet occupation. The Wenceslas Square contains some nice examples of Art Nouveau architecture, a style very popular at the beginning of the 20th century, when the square was being redeveloped. The most famous of those buildings is the Grand Hotel Europa, constructed between 1903 and 1906. The renovated building has a beautiful facade topped with a gilded statue of nymphs. The Wenceslas Square is located in the Nove Mesto (New Town), a district just south of the historic Staré Mesto (Old Town). Many of the important historical events in Prague's recent history took place here, such as the declaration of the First Republic in 1918, the protests against the Soviet occupation in 1969 and the protest march in 1989 which led to the Velvet Revolution and the end of the Communist era.

Sightseeing tours

If you prefer guided Sightseeing tours instead of walking around by your self, we recommend to you Travel Agency MARTIN TOUR PRAHA, which has BUS STOP at the Old Town Square. For more information visit www.martintour.cz or organise a private tour with www.cityrama.cz.

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