Attractions

High on the list of inspiring Old Town attractions is the Orloj (Astronomical Clock) whose intricately-carved troupe of wooden apostles have, since their creation in the early 15th century, moved solemnly between two blue clock doors once on the hour and every hour for more than 600 years.

Prague Castle holds a number of records. First of all, it is the largest castle in the world, entered in the Guinness Book of Records. It is also the most visited Czech monument among tourists. It is the most important of Czech castles, because from time immemorial it has been the residence of sovereigns, and currently the President. It is also undoubtedly the most beautiful castle in the Czech Republic. Prague Castle is unparalleled in the Czech Republic in all respects and visiting it is a ‘duty’ for all tourists. The medieval cathedral and its surrounding Castle district, together with the Baroque streets of Malá Strana on the west bank of the river Vltava, form the centrepiece of many itineraries, but 20th-century Prague too – with its examples of Modernism (Adolf Loos’ Muller Villa is the prime exhibit), Cubism (check out the House of the Black Madonna) and Functionalism (the Veletrzni Palace) is also packed with visitor interest.

Built between 1901 and 1909, the Wilsonova Railway Station is a jewel of the Art Nouveau movement, while the Kampa Museum, with its defiantly anti-Communist paintings, sculptures and bronzes, reminds tourists of that traumatic Russian invasion in 1968.

The John Lennon Wall, where thousands of tourists have daubed messages of peace and love in a multitude of languages, is a tribute to both talented and not-so talented graffiti, while the 500-year-old plane tree which overhangs it is the exact site where the young Beethoven wrote many of his early works.

Charles Bridge is one of the most beautiful bridges in the world and the oldest bridge in Prague. It is almost 10m wide, 516m long and rests on 16 arches. Towers guard both ends of the bridge – the Old Town Bridge Tower and two Malá Strana Bridge Tower. The bridge is embellished with 30 Baroque statues and sculptural groups from the early 18th century depicting saints, and historical and biblical figures. Charles Bridge is a popular place among street performers and artists - painters, musicians, dancers, mime artists who have established their own association called the Association of Charles Bridge Artists.

And if all that art and culture leaves you in need of something less intellectually-taxing, Prague also provides a zoo, an observatory, a singing fountain display, hire boats and possibly the only opportunity to drive a Russian tank, for fun, in the whole of Europe.