History
The story of Prague beings in the late 800’s, when the Check Premyslid dynasty constructed the Prague Castle. For the next few hundred years, Czech kings rued over all Bohemia. In the 10th century, Prince Wenceslas began making friendly relations with the German tribes. His goal was to make the Czech kingdom and equal member in the Holy Roman Empire. Unfortunately, his brother Boleslav did not agree and had Wenceslas assassinated. After a series of wars, Boleslav lost control of the empire and it was subjugated to a vassal state under the Holy Roman Empire. In the 13th century, Prague once again began to rise in power. King Premysl Otakar II was the most powerful king in the entire empire and ruled in seven other countries, stretching to the Adriatic coast.
The city flourished in the 14th century under Charles IV of the Luxembourg dynasty. In 1348 he founded the first university in Central, Northern and Eastern Europe, called today the Charles University, the oldest Czech university. In the same year he also founded New Town , rebuilt Prague Castle and Vysehrad, build a new bridge, now called the Charles Bridge, and begun the construction of St. Vitus' Cathedral. All that changed during the reign of weak King Wenceslas IV. During his reign, there were four years of Hussite wars, which ended in Hussite control f the city. Wenceslas’ son tried to retake the city multiple time but failed. Fortunately the Hussite eventually lost focus an
d eventually broke apart.After roughly one hundred years of multiple kings, the Hapsburg dynasty took control. The early years were great for Prague, which enjoyed scientific and religious freedom unparallel anywhere else in Europe. The peace was too good to last, however, and in 1618 religious violence broke out and the Thirty Years War started. The Catholics eventually won and Emperor Ferdinand II became King of Bohemia. He proclaimed the re-Catholicisation of the Czech Lands and twenty-seven Protestant leaders were executed in the Old Town Square in 1621. After the victory, Prague began a steady decline which lowered the population from 60,000 to 20,000. The city rebounded in the 18th century and by the 19th century, the citizens of Prague were pushing for more nationalistic powers.
In the 20th century, Prague was greatly affected by World War I. After the war, it was made capital of all Czechoslovakia. World War II further changed the city. Most of the Jews left, dropping from 50,000 to only about 800. Also during the Nazi occupation many politicians and professors were persecuted and murdered. German occupation caused the death of 77,297 Czechoslovak Jews, whose names are inscribed on walls of the Pinkas Synagogue in Prague. The Americans almost liberated Prague after the war, but General Patton was stopped by Dwight D. Eisenhower and the Russians reached the city first. Behind the Iron Curtain, Prague’s intellectuals and leaders suffered, as did the buildings and beauty. After the fall of the Berlin Wall, the Velvet revolution occurred and gained independence from the USSR. Today Prague is one of the most beautiful European cities, and the most popular one in Eastern Europe.
Culture and People
Overall Culture: Prague is truly a gem when it comes to their culture. The city is well known for hosting prestigious performances from international talent. The people take great pride in their museums, galleries, theatres, and music venues. Culture has always been one of Prague’s greatest attributes and dates back centuries. This is the city that hosted Mozart when he composed “Don Giovanni” and is home to the oldest University (Charles University) in all of Central and Eastern Europe (Prague Culture). Even recently with the Soviet occupation of the Czech Republic, Prague was there to revolt to bring back creativity in different art forms. This movement was a peaceful group known as the Velvet Revolution started by students of the universities (Prague Culture).
Sports: Like many other European countries, it comes at no surprise that the number one sport in Praha is football (or Soccer in the U.S.). The country has its own soccer association known at Czechoslovak and consists of sixteen teams total (Prague: Culture). Try to catch a game
, because Prague has the best three teams in the country: Sparta Prague, Dukla Prague, and Slavia Prague (Prague: Culture). The season usually lasts from February to May and August to November, but for an up-to-date schedule, check out http://www.gambrinusliga.cz/. Aside from football, the Czech Republic takes great pride in their hockey. They are always contenders in the Winter Olympic Games. Their most famous player is Jaromir Jagr and you will definitely find his jersey for purchase in almost every souvenir shop. For more information on the hockey schedule, visit http://www.hokej.cz/.Language: Do not be afraid about entering Prague as a total foreigner to the city and Eastern Europe. You will be pleasantly surprised that most locals are able to speak at least some English; enough to get by. This is based on that strong cultural influence and importance of a university education. If you are to travel outside the downtown area, Czech could make a big difference in how you are treated. Listed below are some common phrases translated to Czech. These are found at http://www.myczechrepublic.com/czech_language/czech_phrases.html and have additional audio pronunciation attachments.
· Thank You: Děkuji
· Hello! ("Good day!"): Dobrý den!
· Good bye: Na shledanou!
· Do you speak English? : Mluvíte anglicky?
Religion: In Prague you will find some of the most amazing churches in Europe. This city also takes great importance in their patron saints and you will find approximately 30 of them placed on Charles Bridge. But also be aware that not all citizens are Roman Catholic. This was once part of the Warsaw pact, meaning that at one point, religion was banned by the USSR. This means that the country is made up of 40% Roman Catholic, 4-5% Eastern Orthodox, and 54% agnostic or atheist (Culture of Czech Republic).
Time: Be aware that if you are near any major roads or public areas, you will be awaken by the city noise. The work day is traditionally from 7am to 3pm in the Czech Republic, but Prague has started to loosen that custom and more work is being finished between 9am to 5pm (Beckwith). This is a culture full of beer and late nights, so mornings may be particularly rough.
Transportation
The city of Prague has a great public transportation system which makes it very easy for anyone to get around town. The public transportation consists of buses, trams and a subway. If one is only staying in Prague for a short amount of time the subway, “metro”, is the easiest and quickest mode of transportation around the city. When first arriving in Prague and being overwhelmed with a new city one may be tempted to just take a taxi. Although taxis are very convenient, Prague taxi drivers are notorious for overcharging tourists. Even only a five to ten minute taxi ride you may be looking at a cost of over a few thousand crowns.
In order to avoid a frustrating taxi experience it would be very helpful to exchange small bills before arriving in Prague so one has enough change to buy a ticket. The ticket machines do not accept bills and if arriving in Prague late at night or too early in the morning it is very difficult to purchase a train ticket. If coins are not available then one can also purchase a train ticket at the nearest Kiosk, convenient store.
Metro: The ticket machine located in the metro contains many different ticket options but the following two are the most convenient.1. 17 Crown Ticket: This is the cheapest ticket and allows one to travel 4 stops but it does not allow switching to a different line.
2. 26 Crown Ticket: This ticket allows for 75 min of metro travel, any distance and as many line switches as needed. It is worth the little extra money because it guarantees one will not get into trouble on the metro within that time period.
The metro is the most efficient form of travel throughout the city but if one is interested in alternative forms the following link contains a lot of useful information. http://www.myczechrepublic.com/prague/transportation.html
Prague Tourist Attractions
So why should you go to Prague?'
Prague is arguably one of the most beautiful and aesthetically appealing cities in Europe, featuring architectural styles from Baroque to Gothic to Neoclassical. Wi
thin the first ten minutes of walking around the city, you'll be amazed at how beautiful the buildings are.The city is clean and pedestrian-friendly; it is easy to walk or take public transportation across the city in a short time. We walked from one end of the city to the other within 30 minutes, and the Metro system is simple and fast.
Prague features a relaxed atmosphere during the day, while offering an exciting night life-- it is a perfect place for any age to see. You'll never run out of things to do- whether it's sitting in the middle of Old Town Square or going crazy during a pub crawl.
It is one of the best short-stay tourist destinations. We managed to get a good taste of the city in only 2 and a half days.
Food, drink, and other expenses are fairly cheap. Or more importantly, beer is only 25 koruna (1 Euro)- awesome!
All of this information and more can be found at: (http://www.prague.cz/aboutp.asp )
Must-See Places
There are countless places to see while in Prague, but if you are only in the city for a short time, there are several main, “must-see” places to go. The best part- they're all free to visit! Here are our recommendations:
Old Town Square
Originating in the 12th century, this square features Baroque, Gothic, and Rococo architecture surrounding places to hang out, cafes, bars, markets, and the Astronomical Clock. This is a a great place to relax for a while after a long day of touring. The city often sets up entertainment in the square-- during the World Cup we were able to drink beer and watch the games on a huge screen. In our opinion, Old Town is the best place to go in the city.
Charles Bridge:
This bridge was built in 1357 and is now one of the most popular spots in Prague. Walking along the bridge provides fantastic views of Prague Castle and the Vltava River, and allows you to travel between the Old Town and Lesser Town. The Bridge is packed with vendors and street entertainers. While it is beautiful at any time, we recommend strolling across the bridge in the early morning or at sunset.
Prague Castle
The largest medieval castle in the world, this area features a church, palaces, a monastery, museums, art galleries, and viewing towers. We recommend allowing at least half a day to see places such as the Prague Castle Gallery, Toy Museum, and St. Vitus Cathedral.
New Town
Home to the Welceslas Square, a place full of history, shops, and restaurants, New Town is a definite place to go. It's reachable by Metro or by foot, and it is worth the short trip to see the museums, architecture, squares, and gardens.
Lesser Quarter
Also known as Malá Strana and developed in the 13th century, this area is situated outside the Prague Castle. Featuring the Lesser Town Bridge and Lesser Town Square, this area also contains restaurants, shops, and foreign embassies. Among places to see in the Quarter is St. Nicholas Church and the gate of the Bridge.
More information on these sites can be found at: (http://www.prague-guide.co.uk/categories/attractionswhat-to-see.html )
And here are some attractions for history buffs to enjoy:
Jewish Quarter
Also known as Josefov, the oldest Jewish settlement in Europe features six synagogues and the Jewish Museum, among other historic buildings. The Jewish Museum contains over 40,000 exhibits and 100,000 books about Jewish art and culture.
Municipal House
Inside Prague's biggest Art Nouveau building is the biggest concert hall in the city, Smetanova Hall. There are also several restaurants and cafes inside the palace.
National Museum
As the oldest and biggest museum in the Czech Republic, the National Museum contains a natural history collection among other exhibits. This place also provides for great views of Wenceslas Square.
Rudolfinum
If you are a classical music fan, this is a definite place to go. This neo-Renaissance concert hall hosts various concerts and festivals.
Other possibilities
Prague Zoo, Sea World, Dancing House, Mozart Museum, Petrin Hill and Observation Tower
(http://www.pragueexperience.com/sightseeing/sights_attractions.asp )
Festivals
If you happen to be in Prague during one of these festivals, we have heard that they're definitely worth seeing. Information on all of the following festivals (and many more) can be found at: http://www.praguefestival.cz/
May – June: Spring International Music Festival- classical music concerts, symphony orchestras, and chamber music ensembles.
July – September: Folklore Festival
August – September: Verdi Festival
September: Mozart Festival
September – October: Prague Autumn- international music festival with classical music in the Prague Castle
October: International Jazz Festival
November: Festival of Cyberculture- digital art, film, net, and performace art
Further Research
These sites give more detailed information about the listed attractions and places to see:
Great site for overall info about the sites and city: http://www.prague.cz/aboutp.asp
Sites and information: http://www.prague-guide.co.uk/categories/attractionswhat-to-see.html
Sites and information: http://www.pragueexperience.com/sightseeing/sights_attractions.asp
These sites help with booking tours and making other reservations:
Free Walking Tours: http://www.prague-airport-transfers.co.uk/tours-and-walks.htm
Sightseeing Tours: http://www.pragueexperience.com/sightseeing/sightseeing_tours.asp
Vltava Cruise Tours: http://www.prague-airport-transfers.co.uk/dinner-on-the-river.htm
Food Drink & Nightlife
Prague is chalk full of great places to relax and enjoy a meal. Depending on what you are in the mood for, the cuisine ranges anywhere from American cheeseburgers with a Czech twist to traditional Czech meat and dumplings. If you want to truly experience some Czech cuisine, ask your waiter what he suggests and stick with it. Most good restaurants take great pride in their specialties and will do everything they can to make sure you enjoy your meal. Just remember, unlike most of Western Europe, tips are not included in your bill so be sure to take care of you waiter or bartender. Also, pay attention to where you are sitting inside these restaurants. According to Chris Haddad’s blog entry on Prague (https://muconnect.muohio.edu/owa/redir.aspx?C=ff1bbbd702ba4665922735f56d10df78&URL=http%3a%2f%2fpraguemudec.blogspot.com%2f2010%2f06%2fczech-please.html), the streets in Old Town were raised up one floor during the 13th century. This was meant to be a solution to Prague’s flooding problem. Today, the basements and passageways left behind are being turned into underground restaurants, bars, and shops.
As far as drinks are concerned, Prague has an excellent beer selection. Pilsner and Budweiser are two types of beer whose origins can be traced to the Czech Republic. Both get their names from German names for cities in the Czech Republic and both have become part of Czech culture. Almost all bars and pubs have a contract with a particular brand of beer (many you will see carry Pilsner Urquell which is the original pilsner). This means cheap, fresh beer. Today prices for a half-liter of quality beer range from 29 to 35 Czech Crowns (note: current exchange rate is 1 USD = SKK 24.42). If you do the math this comes out to between $1.19 and $1.43 per half-liter! Along with the price of beer, you can determine the quality bar a restaurant by their service. In contrast to many Western European countries, asking for another beer is usually unnecessary. Good waiters will bring you a new beer before you have even finished you old one. This is very convenient but also keeps you on your toes when you get ready to leave.
In addition to their beer selection, Prague also has excellent wine, very cheap rum, and traditional Czech liquor. If you’re feeling really brave, it’s easy to find places that sell Absinthe. Regardless of what you drink, remember to be safe.
Other Traditional Czech Drinks:
Becherovka:
Tastes a lot like Jagermesiter, sip on a double shot of this with your beer – taking shots of it can be offensive as it is made to be enjoyed
Slivovice:
A potent, clear spirit made from plums that is Strictly Czech – not exportable due to European distillation regulations
Cheap drinks, a fun atmosphere, and a diverse crowd all come together to give Prague a great nightlife. Most tourists will start their nightly excursions around Old Town. From there, activities tend to spread outward to cheaper and more modern parts of the city. This blog focuses on places to visit around the city center.
Here is a summary of places to visit in the main city:
Eat and Drink:
U Sadu:
Near the center of the city, this pub has excellent Czech food and good cheap beer. Enjoy the fun atmosphere and interesting décor.
U medvídků:
U Medvikidku is a large beer hall. It serves the original Budweiser and excellent Czech food.
U Sudu:
Not far from U Pinkasu, this labyrinth of a building is the epitome of the Prague basement style of bar areas. Definitely check it out for a good, mixed crowd and a neat place to hang out.
Party
Palac Akropolis:
Near U Sadu, Akropolis is a large club with live music. One bar here is even open 24/7.
Lucerna:
This bar and concert venue has great theme nights including “The best 80’s party in the town!” (https://muconnect.muohio.edu/owa/redir.aspx?C=ff1bbbd702ba4665922735f56d10df78&URL=http%3a%2f%2fprague.tv%2fprague%2fnightlife%2fclubs%2flucerna-music-bar)
Roxy:
Near Old Town Square, this is a more American style dance club Note: Avoid large, touristy clubs. They are notorious for ripping people off and stealing their things. Plus, if you’re in Prague, why not go to a more authentic club?
Riegrovy Sady Beer Garden:
A very neat, relaxed beer garden in the middle of a massive park, not far from the city’s main train station. They have a couple big TVs for football games and cheap beer.
Tim’s Thoughts: https://muconnect.muohio.edu/owa/redir.aspx?C=ff1bbbd702ba4665922735f56d10df78&URL=http%3a%2f%2fmudecactivities.wordpress.com%2f2010%2f05%2f27%2f563%2f
Czech Food: https://muconnect.muohio.edu/owa/redir.aspx?C=ff1bbbd702ba4665922735f56d10df78&URL=http%3a%2f%2fwww.prague.net%2ftraditional-czech-food
Czech Spirits: http://www.praguenet.com/compass/number_3/food.html
Where to Stay
Hostels and hotels are cheap and available throughout the city depending on how early reserved. The Old Town Square is an amazing place in the city to stay. It is a very central location and if there are any major holidays or events going on this is the place where the celebrations will occur. As seen in the blogs below the Old Town Square was a great place to stay during the World Cup. There was a large television set up in the middle of the square and people would come from all over the city to watch the games here. The only down side to staying in/near the square is it can be very noisy. Our suggestion would be the hostel “Condor” which is located a few blocks from the square. Although not the best quality it is a great location and very cheap. The following are helpful sights to book hostels and hotels.
http://www.hostelworld.com/
http://www.eurocheapo.com/
Things We Wish We Would Have Known (A Few Concluding Thoughts):
1. Avoid taxis at all costs. If you are unaware of the city layout and do not speak any Czech, taxis may be overpriced and take money you could otherwise use to have fun in Prague. Plan out your trip and use the Metro.
2. Always carry around some spare change for the Metro. All of the Metro stations have places to buy tickets, but they do not accept cash or credit cards.
3. Buy train tickets at the Kiosks if you cannot find an open machine or have no change.
4. Always validate your ticket. If you are stopped by security and are found to be a “black” rider, the fine is 700 koruna.
5. Look at the price of beer before sitting outside of a restaurant. These can often differ from the bar prices and make it unreasonable to get a beverage. Try to stay in the 30-40 koruna beer prices.
6. Be mindful of your belongings. There are plenty of homeless people in Old Town Square. Also Roma people (gypsies) are highly discriminated against by the Czech people, so they have resorted to crime.
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