City Series Part Eight: Prague
Prague is the great metropolis of Eastern Europe. The capital of Czech Republic has been the most successful and prosperous of all post-Communists cities; but not only politics and economy make Prague a great place to visit, its culture, art and architecture is what attracts thousands of tourists every year. Each neighborhood and street of Prague has its own identity and history and because of its culture and beauty, Prague was elected in 2000 as the European Capital of Culture. In Prague you will be able to find the old medieval mixed with the modern and if you have the opportunity to visit the city, you will never want to leave it. History The city of Prague was founded when in the 9th century a castle was built in today’s Hradcany and also a city was formed around it. During the 19th century, Prague was part of the Austro-Hungarian territory. But when World War I was over, the Austro-Hungarian Empire became Czechoslovakia, which Prague became capital of. After World War II, Czechoslovakia became a Communist regime, which lasted until 1989. In 1993, after the split of Czechoslovakia, Prague became the capital of the new born country Czech Republic, becoming today’s most important city in Eastern Europe. Travel, Accommodations, and How to Navigate Ruzyne is the international airport in Prague. Since the airport is located about 20 km from the city centre, you can get a taxi or get a bus from the airport to Dejvicka subway station, where you can check which station is the closest to your destination. As in any other country, be careful with taxi drivers. Make sure you set a price before the ride starts. Prague can be one of the most expensive city in Europe when comes to accommodation. If you want a more affordable visit, in Prague there is the Hostelling International that offers well located hostels close to the city centre. The Hotel Galileo is located at the city centre of Prague as well, in the Vinohrady neighborhood. Only ten minutes away from the Wenceslav Square, the hotel was redecorated and refurbished recently and you can find night rates from 250 Euros. Public transportation is located near the hotel, facilitating your transportation through Prague. The Hotel Tyl offers a more affordable stay, with rates starting at 70 Euros. Also close to Wencerlav Square, the hotel is only a couple of blocks from the historical and touristic sights. Breakfast is offered and there is free Wi-Fi in public areas as well. To go around Prague, the metro, trams and buses serve the city very well; the metro will take you everywhere. Besides the single ticket, you can get a 24h metro pass, a three day pass or five days pass, depending in how long you are staying in Prague. Places Every Tourist Must See It’s always hard to decide which places to see when visiting a new city, ever more so in Prague. There are so many places to visit and never too much time. But here it is a few must see sightseeing in Prague: The Prague Castle was found in 880 and is the largest castle in the world. As part of the UNESCO World Heritage site, the Prague castle holds the Czech President seat and also holds the country’s crown jewelry. The Prague Castle complex is open daily from 5 a.m. until midnight on summer and until 11 p.m. in winter, but tickets are only sold until 6 p.m. (summer) and 4 p.m. (winter). As part of the historical part of Prague, the Old Town Square is very popular in the city. There you will find the gothic Týn Cathedral, St. Nicholas Church and the Old Town Hall, which has the Astronomical Clock. Charles Bridge is a must go in Prague as well. The bridge is the oldest over the river Vltava, but to understand its history fully, a visit to the Charles Bridge Museum is highly recommended. The museum is open daily from 10 a.m.. to 8 p.m. in summer and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. in winter. If you enjoy architecture, it is worth going to St. Vitus Cathedral. This Roman Catholic cathedral is the biggest in the country and its gothic architecture will take your breath away. Unique Shopping for Fabulous Chicks Europe is not the cheapest place to shop, even more so with the current exchange rate and of course the economy, this situation is not different in Prague. But according to the TalkingCities.co.uk, here are some of the best places to shop in Prague: At Black Market you will find mainly European brands aiming women from 18 to 30 years old as well as accessories. High pricing, but you will leave with plenty of fashion ideas. Black Market is open Monday to Friday, from noon to 7 p.m. and on Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Delmas offers a variety of Italian designer accessories including handbags, briefcases, belts, wallets and umbrellas for both men and women. Products have an excellent quality with a cheaper price. Delmas is open Monday to Friday, from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. and on Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Galerie Módy - Lucerna Here you will find fashion from top Czech designers, including Joseph Taptuch, Atelier Nikkita and E-daniely. Products have a high quality of material and prices are considered reasonable for designer brands. Galerie Módy is open Monday to Friday, from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. and on Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. At Ivana Follová you will find the latest trends in fashion, with many options of clothing and accessories and also gift ideas. Ivana Follová is open daily from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m After a full day visiting historical castles, churches, and bridges and shopping around Prague, there is not a better way than finishing the tour sitting in one of the old breweries around the city, resting and at the same time trying to absorb al the beauties Prague has to offer. Débora Biasutti is a print journalism and political science student at University of Wisconsin and her next journey is going to be Oxford this Saturday. She is hoping for a sunny day in this rainy country of England.
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