10 Absolutely Incredible Sites in Prague

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Driving into Prague from Berlin was rather unplanned. The original plan called for a direct route to the Mosel River where they grow the Riesling grapes [Roydio’s favorite wine]. But looking at the map it seemed rather appealing to visit the sites in Prague since we’d never been + it was just a little over 3 hours’ drive south of Berlin. So we took the serendipitous detour to the Czech Republic!

It dawned on me that I actually have a friend in Prague! So I called to make sure she was in town, booked our lodging + on our way we went.

Although I always encourage being open enough to change up your plans if you need/want to, the only negative thing about changing destinations is that you have no itinerary. And for those who know me that is not an easy thing for me. Once we arrived at our Airbnb [OMG another amazing one :: I’ll tell you more about that in a later post] we got freshened up + set afoot to catch the train to see the town. Hmmm…. that didn’t really work out. After 10-12 stops we found…. NOTHING.

Tip: Never head out in a town you know nothing about without first finding out what direction you need to go. HA!

After a good night’s sleep we set out to try again. This time + with map in hand it wasn’t but a few stops before we were in the center of town + well on our way to discover :: 10 Absolutely Incredible Sites in Prague!

#10 Best Site in Prague :: Old Town Hall’s Underground

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Although we had not gone far in the city we quickly found out that not all of Prague’s treasures are visible from the streets. Prague has an amazing secret gem :: you can’t see it unless you go underground. The oldest history of Prague located well below your feet there lies an entire city buried for hundreds of years + you can find it near the Old Town Hall.

In the 13th century the city level was much lower than where it is today. When Prague’s New Town was developed all the dirt they excavated from the area was brought into Old Town to artificially increase the level of the street to prevent it from flooding. Therefore the city’s old ground floors became basements + over the years they have been closed off + hidden beneath the city we see now. Only a handful of places have been preserved which feature buildings from as early as the 12th Century.

You can buy tickets to take a tour to see it in its entirety here.

#9 Best Site in Prague :: The Astronomical Clock

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The Prague Astronomical Clock [or The Prague Orloj] which was first installed in 1410 is the world’s oldest of its kind. Every hour on the hour this world-famous clock chimes + along with them comes a procession of 12 Apostles through the two doors at the very top.

I found it so authentic to hear people speaking Czech all around me as I was experiencing this phenomenon. It was truly a unique experience.

The Astronomical Dial is probably the oldest of all the clock components + is one of the main reasons why The Prague Orloj is so unique. The three sets of this dial can count three different times. The first is the Italian time or what would be Old Czech time. Central European Time is measured by the sun pointer + this is the hour, from 1 to 24, which the clock chimes. The third is likely the most interesting of all sets measuring Babylonian Time where the hour’s length is determined by which season of the year it is. This device is the only clock on the entire planet known to be capable of tracking Babylonian Time.

Around 1865 one of the clock’s newest features, the Calendar Dial, was added underneath with various sculptures around it.

On October 9, 2010 The Orloj’s 600th anniversary was celebrated with a light show on the face of the clock tower. It would have been amazing to have been there for that! This is truly one of the sites in Prague worth seeing.

#8 Best Site in Prague :: Jindřišská [Henry’s] Tower

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Jindřišská tower [or Jindřišská věž] is a late Gothic tower part of the Church of St. Henry [aka Henry’s Tower] + the highest freestanding bell tower in Prague [216 feet]. Originally built in 1472 it went through extensive reconstruction in 2002 which transformed Jindrisska into a wonderful multi-level attraction + now has ten floors. At the top you can enjoy a panoramic view of Prague’s city centre.

You don’t have to climb it because there is an elevator inside where you will also find a museum, restaurant, bar, whiskeria + a small music hall. I would have never guessed that so much would fit inside this building!

#7 Best Sites in Prague :: Powder Tower

The Powder Tower or Powder Gate was used to store gunpowder in the 17th century, hence the name Powder Tower. It is one of the original 13 city gates + brought into the town one of the main roads coming from Eastern Bohemia. This was also the place where the coronation processions of Bohemian kings would enter the town. This gate thus marks the start of the Coronation or Royal Path to Prague Castle.

The Powder Tower is 234 feet high, the observation gallery is 144 feet above ground + the spiral staircase is made of 186 stone steps. Separating the Old Town from the New Town it was designed as an attractive entrance to the city rather than a defensive tower. A covered passageway connects the Powder Tower with the Municipal House, quite the contrast between the two styles of architecture but so emblematic of the sites in Prague.

 #6 Best Sites in Prague :: Church of Our Lady Before Tyn

Church of Our Lady Before Tyn has been the main church of this part of the city since the 14th century. The church’s towers are 262 feet high + topped by four small spires. The cathedral serves as an extensive gallery from the Gothic, Renaissance + Early Baroque eras. The organ is the oldest in any of the sites in Prague, dating from 1673.

Legend has it that the Tyn Church towers gave Walt Disney the inspiration for the Sleeping Beauty Castle. True or not the church is an awe-inspiring sight.

#5 Best Sites in Prague :: Municipal House

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One of the most beautiful government buildings I’ve seen in the world. Construction started in 1905 + was completed in 1912. A turn of the century building boasting some of the most beautiful art nouveau architecture of all the sites in Prague stands on the site of the former Royal Court Palace, the King’s residence between 1383 and 1485. There is an incredible mosaic by Karel Spiller over the entrance called Homage to Prague.

Much of the Municipal House is closed to the public unless you sign up to take a guided tour.

You can see about taking a tour here.

# Best Sites in Prague :: Church of St. Nicholas

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The monumental Church of St Nicholas, the most famous Baroque church in Prague, was built from 1732 to 1737 + one of the most valuable Baroque buildings north of the Alps. The interior is dominated by a stunning crystal crown chandelier + the lighting effects are unlike any other cathedral I’ve seen. The diameter of the dome is an impressive 65 feet; the height inside the church to the top of the lantern is almost 187 feet, making it the tallest interior in any of the sites in Prague.

Today the building is used as a concert hall. The Church of St. Nicholas is a superb example of High Baroque architecture, a building that astonishes visitors with its size + monumental interior + the most prominent + distinctive landmark in the Lesser Town.

#3 Best Sites in Prague :: Charles Bridge

Charles Bridge is a stone Gothic bridge that connects the Old Town + Lesser Town. Not only is this medieval building one of the most famous bridges in the world but it is also inseparably linked to the most glamorous era of Prague + it just might be the most beautiful bridge in Europe. Charles Bridge is the oldest bridge still standing over the Vltava river in Prague and the second oldest bridge in the Czech Republic. 

One of the most interesting statues on Charles Bridge is definitely the Statue of St. John of Nepomuk. According to legend John of Nepomuk was tortured to death after he refused to give away the confessional secret of the queen. Many people believe that it brings luck if you touch the statue…

Merchants line either side of this pedestrian-only bridge making available the products of their talents, everything from jewelry to artwork to music. Souvenir shopping never had so much ambiance as here at the Charles Bridge. For sure one of my favorite sites in Prague.

Tip: make sure you go shopping while it is still light out because merchants close down their stands as soon as the sun begins to set.

#2 Best Sites in Prague :: Cathedral of St. Vitus at Prague Castle

Located on the grounds of the Prague Castle St. Vitus Cathedral is the largest + most important temple in Prague. Apart from religious services, coronations of Czech kings + queens also took place here.

The cathedral is a place of burial of several patron saints, sovereigns, noblemen and archbishops. Its bronze door is decorated with reliefs with scenes from the history of St. Vitus. Situated in the chancel of the Cathedral in front of the high altar is the Royal Mausoleum below which there is the royal crypt.

The door in the south-western corner of the chapel leads to the Crown Chamber in which the Bohemian Coronation Jewels are kept.

#1 Best Sites in Prague :: Prague Castle

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Prague Castle is an ancient symbol of the Czech State, the most significant Czech monument + one of the most important cultural institutions in the Czech Republic + what an incredible castle it is. According to the Guinness Book of World Records Prague Castle is the largest coherent castle complex in the world with an area of almost 112,000 sq ft. 

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A UNESCO World Heritage site, it consists of a large-scale composition of palaces + buildings of various architectural styles from the remains of Romanesque-style buildings from the 10th century through Gothic modifications of the 14th century.

The Royal Garden at Prague Castle

There are seven gardens surrounding the Prague Castle including but the Royal Garden is the most valuable founded in 1534 is located on the site of old medieval vineyards.

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One of its greatest treasures is the Singing Fountain, one of the most beautiful fountains in Renaissance Europe.

Prague Castle + the Royal Garden are seriously the top must-see sites in Prague. I for one am so happy I had the opportunity to visit this captivating UNESCO World Heritage site. I’ve lost count of how many World Heritages sites I’ve seen so far. One day I’ll go back + count them all…

Prague is one of the most fascinating cities in Europe. In my next post I will be covering other amazing things to do + see here. Oh + I’ll have to include some of the food as well! You didn’t think I’d forget that did you? HA!

Read also ::

10 Unique Things to See and Do in Prague

What did you like best about the sites in Prague so far? Have you been here? Let me know if you have any other suggestions to see in Prague!