Prague Sights / Attractions

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Vrtbov Gardens (Vrtbovská zahrada)

Karmelitská 25, Praha 1, Malá Strana, Website: www.vrtbovska.cz, Tram 12, 22, 23, Open: Apr-Oct 10am-6pm daily (closed Nov-Mar)
As part of the Vrtbov Palace, the gardens make for a pleasant spot in which to take a stroll during a tour of Malá Strana. Laid out to the design of František Maximilián in the early 18th century, Vrtbov's courtyard features a number of fine statues by Matthias Braun, opening out with a Sala Terrena featuring mythological scenes by the renowned Czech Baroque artist V. V. Reiner. Located on Karmelitská, Vrtbov is easily missed - you'll need to enter through the doorway at No. 25, then up a little cobblestone passage, where (eventually) you'll find a sign to the gardens.

Vyšehrad Castle (Vyšehrad)

Národní kulturní památka Vyšehrad, V Pevnosti 159, Praha 2, Tel: +420 241 410 348, Fax: 4141 0247, Website: www.praha-vysehrad.cz, E-Mail: vysehrad@zris.mepnet.cz, Metro: Vyšehrad or Tram 7, 8 or 24 to Albertov, Open day from 9.30am to 5pm (Nov-Mar) and from 9.30am-6pm (Apr-Oct)
Regarded by Czechs as the mythical birthplace of Prague, the slavic tribes first established an outpost here under the leadership of local chieftain Krok who, as legend has it, fathered a daughter named Libuše with visionary powers. Libuše, who prophesized that she would marry a ploughman named Přemysl (and indeed did) later said that on the seven hills - of what is now Prague - a majestic city would rise. Of course, on account of her being right, Libuše is considered to be the 'mother of Prague', while Přemysl was the first in a long line of Czech rulers (the Přemyslid dynasty).

Many local historians agree that it was actually Boleslav II who first developed a sizeable settlement here (from 972-99), while the area gained further prominence under the reign of Vyšehrad II. The first (written) mention of a castle on this rocky outcrop is in 1003, although the structure was almost totally destroyed during the Hussite wars - from 1421 onwards. Indeed, the heavily restored St Martin's Rotunda is the sole remaining feature of the original fortifications.

During the 17th century the site was rebuilt and turned into the powerful Baroque fortress that you see today. In addition to Corinthia Towers, the other major draw for visitors is the Church of SS Peter & Paul (Kostel sv. Petra a Pavla), a neo-Gothic style building - completed in 1903 - that features a splendid Art Nouveau interior.

Nearby, the Vyšehrad cemetery is the resting place of famous Czech figures including Dvoŕák and Smetana, while the shady trees of Vyšehrad Gardens offer tranquil respite on a hot summer's day.

Wallenstein Palace and Gardens (Valdštejnská zahrada)

Valdštejnskė náměsti 4, Praha 1, Malá Strana, Metro: Malostranská/Tram 12, 18, 22, Open: Mar-Apr 10am-6pm daily, May-Sep 9am-7pm daily (Oct-Feb closed)
Entry to follow shortly.

Wenceslas Square (Václavskė náměsti)

Praha 2, Nové Město, Metro: Můstek/Muzeum
Beginning life as a horse market in medieval times, the rectangular shaped Wenceslas 'Square' is actually a broad, half-mile long boulevard, dominated (at its top end) by Josef Schulz's neo-Renaissance National Museum and surrounded by bars, hotels, shops, cafés, restaurants and hot dog stands!

Laid out during the reign of Charles IV, the square lies at the very heart of Prague's New Town, thus serving as a natural focal point - since 1848 - for rallies, protests and parades at key moments in the Czech Republic's history. In 1969, the 'Prague Spring' saw a young university student, Jan Palach, set himself alight in protest at the Warsaw Pact invasion, while in 1989, huge crowds celebrated the fall of Czech Communism as Václav Havel and Alexander Dubček made a historic proclamation from the balcony of the Melantrich building (known as the Velvet Revolution). Ironically, its lowest point was some 50 years earlier when over 100,000 citizens took the fascist salute to the Reichsportektorat of Böhment and Mähren in March 1939. Quite rightly, however, it's not something the locals like to dwell on...

Whilst visitors will invariably be struck by the sheer size of the square, its merits nowadays are few and far between. Certainly, from an architectural standpoint there's still plenty to see - the Art Nouveau Hotel Evropa, Wiehl House and Peterkuv dům all being prime examples, but take a stroll at night and you're more likely to remember drunks, dodgy cabbies and prostitutes than quaint neo-Baroque facades, stucco decoration and early Cubist inspiration!

Žižkov Television Tower (Žižkovská televizní vìž)

Mahlerovy sady 1, Praha 3, Žižkov, Tel: +420 267 005 778, Metro: Jiřího z Poděbrad, Tram 11 to Jiřího z Poděbrad, Website: www.tower.cz, E-Mail: info@tower.cz, Open: 10am-11pm Mon-Sun
Reminiscent of an old Apollo-Saturn 5 rocket gantry, the Žižkov Tower (affectionately known as the 'Prague prick' by locals) transmits TV, communication and meteorological signals across the city. In fact, the similarity is such that you half expect a crew of astronauts (or should that be cosmonauts) to appear at any moment! Completed in 1989, but planned during the Communist era, the structure stands to a height of 216m, with a public observation area approximately 100 metres above ground.