To my opinion the best way to explore Prague is by public
transportation and by foot. The public tranportation IN Prague is good
and cheap, especially when you choose for a ticket which is valid more
days. Tram, metro and busses
ride frequently and throug entire Prague.
There are many restaurants where the food is cheap and
good.
You can reach the castle by tram 12 and 22 and subway,station Malostranská. The writer Franz Kafka has lived for a while, and it is here were he got his inspiration for the book “das Schlob”.
If you have enough time after you visited the castle you
can have walk along the following streets: Valdštenská ulice. At
number 8/153 you find the Furstenbergpalace and at number 10/154 the Kolowratpalace.
At Thunovská ulice 14/180 you see the Thunpalace and at the Nerudova
ulice 20/214 you find the Thun-Hohensteinpalace. At the Hradcanské
Nám?sti you can find at number 2/185 the Schwarzenbergpalace and
at number 8/67 the martinicpalace. At the Loretánske Námesti
you find:
Loreta is also famous because of it's treasure-chamber
with hundreds of artobjects.
Worthwhile seeing on this square:
Just around the corner the street is now called “Valdštejnská”
If you enjoy walking follow after visiting the Waldstein palace the “Valdštejnská” back in the direction where you came from take the first treet to the right (Valdstejnske námesti) then left (Snemovni), second street left, immediately first turn right allong the Malonstranské namesti, first street right, again immediately left (Karmelitská Ujezd). Twice, the first street to the left, go right at the street called “Na kampa” and you end up in a beautiful park. Have a rest (if the weather allows you to) and if look at the river you see at the left the Charlsbridge and at your right “Legii Bridge”. If you still in the mood to walk somewhat further, start crossing this bridge and on the right side you will find a staircase leading to a small island, which is quite nice.
Another nice park to visit is the stromovka park.
Josefov
is the part of Prague were since centuries the jewish are living.
You can visit some of the synagogues and the old cemetery. On the photo the old-new synagogue.
In the pinkassynagogue the names of 77.297 of czech jews who died during world war 2 are painted on the walls. I became silent when I saw that and believe me normaly I only stop talking when I am asleep.
Zoo
Eventhough I am adult (in years at all events) I enjoyed
the zoo of Prague. Opposite to the entrance of the zoo is:
This castle is built from 1685-1697.
In this castle you have to wear oversized shuffles, to
prevent the parquet floor from damage. T
There are many (to my opinion beautiful) mural and ceiral
paintings.
Close to the Olšanky-cemetery you can find the Zidovské
cemetery were Franz kafka is buried.
Not
really exciting but nevertheless worthwhile visiting is Villa Betramka.
This house was built in the 17.th century and Mozart stayed here several
times during his stays in Prague. Several rooms are set up as Mozart museum.
On the photo the piano on which Mozart composed.... I don't know if this
is really true. In the museum, several hairs of Mozart are exhibited.(?)
In a former cloister at the Ke Karlov 453, the policemuseum
is established. This cloister has a troubled history. The cloister was
established in 1351 by Karel 4th. During the second world war, the
friars had already had left the cloister, the psychiatric ward of the karls
university was established in the former cloister.
Then the communist made it a museum of national security
of it. Later it was changed into the policemuseum where you can have a
look at photos of murders and weapons.
In Villa Amerika at Ke Karlova 10/462 the Antonín
Dvorák museum is established. The house was built in 1717, and had
many destinations since then: private house, eating-house, house for the
poor and girls’ school. Antonín Dvorák himself never lived
in this house. His huge correspondence and the original papers with his
music are exhibited. There are several beautiful ceilings- and mural paintings.
At Kostelni 42 the national technical museum can be
found. This museum was founded in 1908 and 35.000 items (!) are exhibited.
There is a collection of conveyances; several locomotives,
mopeds and cars. The development of photography is demonstrated by several
apparatus and photos. Furthermore attention is paid to:
· Chronometer;
· Radio and television;
· Astronomy;
· Heavy industry;
· Mining
At the Jirská in the Romberský palace
close to the castle the toys-museum is established. Nice museum with dolls,
trains and other toys.
At
the Prague railway-station Smíchov trains to Karlšteijn regulary.
It is a nice journey along beautiful railwaystations. It is a 30 minute
walk from the station along the main-street of the town Budrany (were
many souvenirs are sold) to the castle of Karlšteijn. The building
of the castle started in 1348 and lasted to 1365. Karl 4th was the first
inhabitant of the castle. You can visit the castle but only with
a guide.
Konopište
The building
of this castle started in the 14th century. The last occupant of the castle
was archduke Frans Ferdinand d’Este. He married beneath with countess Žofie
Chotková. They got sick of all the backbiters in Vienna, therefore
they moved to the castle of Konopište. He had huge fancy for hunting.
Thousands of animals head decorate the walls of the castle. You can visit
the castle with a guide.
Terezin
Something
totally different is Terezin. In 1942 the town of Terezin started to function
as a transit camp. Jews were accommodated en then send to destructioncamps.
Al together 150.000 Jews from Germany, the Czech republik, Slovakia, Denmark
and the Netherlands end up in Terezin. 33.000 people died in Terezin itself,
84.000 were deported to other camps mainly to Auswitz.
Podebrady
Podebrady
is especially known as a place to cure. It’s a nice quite town, with is
worthwhile visiting on a sunny day when you have plenty of time on your
holiday.
Sorry for the inhabitants of this town, but this town
is not worthwhile visiting.
Links
http://www.praguepost.cz
(latest news, exchange rate, weather)
http://www.prague.com
(General information on Prague and it's inhabitants,
accommodatins, restaurants, transport)
http://www.andel3w.dk/prague/english/prag.htm
(A surveyable homepage on many different subjects)
http://ww.ini.cz/metro/framup.htm
(Pictures made in the subway)
Http://www.globecorner.com/g/i691.html
(Books)