Prague Sights / Attractions

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Old Town Bridge Tower (Staroměstská Mostecká Vëž)

Praha 1, Staré Město, Metro: Staroměstská, Open daily: Mar 10am-6pm, Apr-May, Oct 10am-7 pm, Jun-Sep 10 am-10pm, Nov-Feb 10am-5pm
Serving as the gateway in and out of the Old Town from the Charles Bridge, the tower formed an integral part of Petr Parlěř's original designs for Prague's most elaborate crossing. As chief royal architect, Parlěř decided upon an ornate gothic structure decorated on all four façades. However, only the eastern wall retains any decorative elements, as the embellishments on the remaining three façades were destroyed by Swedish troops during fierce fighting at the Tower in 1648. Built in 1390 during the reign of Wenceslas IV, the tower's role was initially symbolic, although in later centuries its first floor was used to display the severed heads of Protestant nobles and Bohemian nationalists.

The tower's eastern façade includes gothic statues of the patron saint of the Bridge, along with St. Vitus flanked by seated carvings of King Wenceslas and Charles IV. The Iron portcullis once used to guard the gateway has long been removed, although the narrow stairway leading up to the viewing gallery offers excellent views of Prague (being ample reward for a somewhat arduous climb).

Old Town Hall and Astronomical Clock (Staroměstská Radnice)

Praha 1, Staré Město, Metro: Staroměstská/Náměstí Republiky
The Old Town Hall which is situated on the southwest corner of the Square, is actually a fusion of buildings, each with a slightly different architectural style. The earliest dates from the 14th century when blind King John of Luxembourg agreed to a modest dwelling for the town clerk. As Prague developed into a wealthy trading city the Town Hall gradually expanded, incorporating Gothic and Renaissance elements over later centuries. Probably the most interesting feature of the building (and the one most mentioned by tourist books on Prague) is the astronomical clock, which was incorporated into the structure in 1490.

The clock must have been a fantastic technological achievement for the age. So much so that - as legend has it, the timepiece's maker, Master Hanus, was deliberately blinded by the local council in an attempt to stop him from building a similar clock elsewhere in Europe. By way of revenge, Hanus is said to have returned to the clock tower, whereupon he duly tossed a spanner in the works, damaging it so severely that it didn't work for over one hundred years.

A more likely (but less interesting) account is that the clock's creators were a Professor Sindel from the University of Prague and Mr. Mikoláš from Kadaň - men who both specialised in the calculation of astronomical movements during the early 14th century. Their original plans, which are said to have included a far from perfect mechanism were only properly completed after being rectified by Jan Táborský some 140 years later.

Aside from showing the phases of the moon, the sun, planets and stars moving around the earth, the clock's most famous element is the upper section, added in 1865. At the top of each hour, a unique ritual occurs in which decorative figures of the twelve apostles move from left to right below the clock face while a skeletal figure (Death) pulls a rope in time to the chimes. The spectacle ends - to much applause and laughter - as the mechanical cock crows.

Underneath, the clock's painted calendar - created by the revered Czech artist Joseph Manes in 1870 - shows the signs of the zodiac, saints' days and the monthly labours of peasant folk.

Old Town Square (Staroměstské náměsti)

Praha 1, Staré Město, Metro: Staroměstská/Náměstí Republiky
The one thing that all of Europe's great capital cities have in common is a focal point of a grand main square and Prague's easily ranks among the best. Once the main marketplace of Prague, the Old Town Square is a large, immaculately preserved space surrounded by a number of architectural treasures including Staroměstská Radnice (see below), Kinský Palace and St. Nicholas Church.

The Square, which dates back to the 11th century, has featured prominently in the city's history. The white crosses embedded into the cobbles (there are 27 in total) commemorate the execution of Protestants in 1621 following defeat at the battle of the White Mountain (paving the way for Habsburg rule to descend over Bohemia). Fittingly, the square was also the scene for Vaclav Havel to declare the end of Soviet domination over Czech affairs after the 'Velvet Revolution'.

Aside from the splendour of its many fine buildings, the square also makes for a pleasant spot in which to stop off for refreshments, particularly in summer when outdoor seating is available. Pleasant cafés and restaurants stand shoulder to shoulder against a backdrop of inspired neo-Renaissance and Baroque façades, with horse-drawn carriages slowly make their way past on sightseeing trips around the Old Town.

Petřín Hill

Ascend hill by funicular at Újezd (Praha 1, Malá Strana), Tram 6, 9, 12, 22, 57
Made up of eight separate gardens, Petřín Hill is a tranquil open space between Klárov and Smíchov that's ideal for a gentle stroll during the summer, whilst also affording wonderful views of Nové Mésto and the rest of Prague beyond. Reached by taking the funicular railway from Újezd, the journey passes Růžový sad before stopping midway at Nebozízek (which has its own terrace restaurant). At the summit - some 318m up - you'll find the mirror maze (Bludiště) built for the 1891 Prague Exposition), along with an offshoot of the Prague Planetarium, the Štefánik observatory. Those with a head for heights can climb a further 299 steps to ascend the Eiffelesque Petřín Tower, while also nearby are the 14th-century Hunger Wall fortification and the leafy Kinský Gardens.

Prague Planetarium (Planetárium Praha)

Královská obora 233, Praha 7, Tel: +420 233 376 452, Fax: +420 233 376 434, Website: www.planetarium.cz, E-mail: planetarium@planetarium.cz, Metro: Vltavská/Tram 5, 12, 17, Open: Mon-Thu 8.30am-midday and 1pm-8pm, Sat-Sun 9.30-midday and 1pm-8pm, Closed Fridays
This small planetarium at Stromovka plays host to an interactive exhibition of astronomical items, as well as a projection show in the observation dome itself (it should not be confused with the observatory on top of Petřín Hill - Štefánikova Hvězdárna - which does open to the heavens).