Prague Sights / Attractions

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Šternberg Palace (Šternberský Palác)

Hradčanské náměsti 15, Praha 1, Hradčany, Tel: +420 220 514 634, Metro: Hradčanská/Tram 8, 18, 25, 26, Open: 1 Jan-31 Dec 10am-6pm, Tue-Sun, closed Mon, Free with Matilda card
This Baroque style palace was built at the end of the 18th century as a home for Count Šternberg - a leading member of the Bohemian aristocracy (and co-founder of Prague's National Museum). Today it houses the Czech National Gallery's exhibition of early European Art, including works by renowned artists such as Goya, Rubens and Rembrandt. Although the collection has been broken up in recent years - with many older paintings being handed back to pre-war owners and the Church - masterpieces such as Canaletto's View of London from the Thames and El Greco's Head of Christ hint at the sizeable (and highly prestigious) works that the CNG formally presided over. N.B. paintings by contemporary artists including Van Gogh, Klimt and Picasso are now displayed at Prague's Tradefair Palace.

Strahov Monastery (Strahovský klášter)

Strahovské nádvoří 1, Praha 1, Hradčany, Tel: +420 220 517 451, Tram 22/Bus 143, 149, 217, Website: www.strahovskyklaster.cz, Open: 9am-1pm, 1.30pm-5pm Tue-Sun, closed Mon
Founded at the behest of Vladislav II by Premonastratensian monks in 1140, the monastery - originally known as Mount Sion - quickly became Bohemia's most important centre for theological study and learning. Despite being attacked by Jan Zizka's Hussites in the 14th century and the rampaging Swedish in 1648, the monks amassed an ecclesiastical library of unparalleled size, whilst also educating leading nobles and political figures of the time.

Because of the monastery's popularity - and the wealth that accompanied it, the monks were able to construct two splendid libraries. The first was the Theological Hall, built between 1671 and 1679 by G.D Orsi. Adorned at its centre by 17th-century globes, the hall features an impressive stuccoed ceiling, with lavish frescoes by Siard Nosecký to represent the theme of human knowledge.

Just over a century later the larger - and even grander - Philosophical Hall was added (built from 1782 1784). Dominated by Maulbertsch's ceiling fresco 'Struggle of Mankind to Gain True Wisdom', the hall is enriched still further by its carved walnut (floor to ceiling) shelves holding over 40,000 books.

Elsewhere, the Church of Our Lady is a 17th-century Baroque remodelling of an original 12th century ground plan, while the Strahov Picture Gallery boasts a number of impressive works including Spranger's Resurrection of Christ and Dirck de Quade's van Ravesteyn's Allegory of the Reign of Rudolph II.

The Stone Bell House (Dům u Kamenného Zvonu)

Staroměstské nám. 13, Praha 1, Staré Město, Tel: +420 222 327 677, Website: www.citygalleryprague.cz, Metro: Staroměstská/Tram: 17, 18, Opening hours vary, Free with Matilda card
Recognised as being the oldest Gothic house in Prague, the Stone Bell House you see today was effectively encased for centuries within a neo-Baroque style building. In fact, it was only during the 1960s that restorers discovered a "hidden gem" lying behind its shoddy, crumbling 17th-century façade. Now superbly restored, elements of its early Gothic origins can be found inside, together with challenging (modern) art exhibitions run by the City Gallery of Prague.

Troja Botanical Gardens

Nádvorni 134, Praha 7, Holešovicé, Tel: +420 234 148 111, Website: www.botgarden.cz, Metro: Nádraží Holešovické, then tram 5, 17, 25 to Trojská, Open daily, Apr 9am-6pm, May-Sep 9am-7pm, Oct 9am-5pm, Nov-Mar 9am-4pm (Fata Morgana tropical greenhouse Tue-Sun only)
It certainly makes sense to combine a visit here with a tour of the Troja Chateau (see below). The gardens have been open to the public for a decade and contain nine themed areas across the site.

Troja Chateau (Trojský zámek)

U trojského zámku 1, Praha 7, Holešovicé, Website: www.citygalleryprague.cz, Metro: Nádraží Holešovické, then tram 5, 17, 25 to Trojská, Open: 1 Apr-31 Oct 10am-6pm, Tue-Sun, Closed Monday 1 Nov-31 Mar, 10am-5pm, Sat-Sun, Free with Matilda card
Built as a summer palace for Count Václav Vojtìch Šternberg to a design by the celebrated Burgundian architect Jean-Baptiste Mathey, the Troja Chateau is a grandiose 17th century affair, complete with French gardens, Baroque sculptures, splendid vaulted ceilings and a wonderfully detailed (illusionist) mural in its Grand Hall.

Modelled in an Italian villa-style, Šternberg spared no expense on the project. Indeed, such was his desire to court favour with Bohemia's new masters - the Habsburgs, that an entire section of the Prague valley was removed just to align it with the prestigious Stromovka royal game preserve (now Stromovka Park).

The chateau's most prominent feature, an overblown, yet still impressive external (horse-shoe shaped) staircase, leads from its main entrance to the formal French gardens below. Ornamented by statues of the ancient gods of Olympus triumphing over the Titans, a multitude of Baroque figures adorn both wings of the staircase, while the balustrades incorporate two of the rebellious giants in battle.

Inside, the Chateau's richly decorated (and fully restored) interior sets the scene for what is undoubtedly the highlight of any tour - the Grand Hall. Painted from floor to ceiling, the room is a gushing tribute to the Hapsburg Dynasty, with frescoes depicting the triumph of Emperor Leopold I's forces over the 'infidel' Turks. Elsewhere, the top part of the Hall displays murals portraying the bravery, wisdom and success of the Austro-Hungarian empire of the age.