Walking in Prague away from tourist routes. The most interesting sights of the Czech Republic A few non-tourist secrets about the Czech Republic
Our walk in Prague was planned in advance. And here we must immediately express gratitude to the author of the route, Fallen from the moon, which was taken by us as the basis of the walk and spied on Vinsky's forum. It starts from the left bank, from the height of Prague Castle and gradually descends to the Vltava and further to the right bank. But the amazing Prague, of course, made adjustments to the written plan and carried us away with its alleys, leading us away and returning us to iconic places.
So, on the advice of a kind person, we wanted to take the 22nd tram to Pogorelets Square, visit the Strahov Monastery, and from there start following the route .. But Prague prepared a lot of improvisations for us. Our 30-minute tram ticket (in Prague, not trips are paid, but the time of using transport) was not enough for the last 2 stops, and we decided to get off the tram earlier and walk. And here is the first present from Prague for Belarusians. On the way, we met our great countryman, and even with a signature on the Belarusian mov. Thank you Prague!
* next picture and some others in the upper right corner are marked with ... This means that under such a picture is hidden another one - similar or from a different angle. To display the second image, click on the first image; to return the first, click on the second.
It turns out that our first printer, Franzisk Skaryna, lived in Prague and worked as a royal botanist. After all, if the validity of the tram ticket had not expired, then they would not have known about the memorable place! And not a word about him in any guidebook!
Lion in the courtyard of the monastery. What should ivy be waving?
We looked at the panorama of the city, ran down the narrow streets to Loretta:
We approached the presidential residence:
We looked outside and inside at St. Vitus Cathedral:
Now it is clear why it took a hundred years to build.
Clock on the cathedral, two dials - at the top of the hour hand, at the bottom of the minute. It is five minutes past one:
After visiting the cathedral, you need some time to come to your senses ... It makes a strong impression.
Admired the views from the heights of Prague Castle to the rest of Prague:
We went down the stairs:
and stumbled upon the Prague answer to one of the most famous sights of Brussels - the pissing boy. :)
Both the Czech Republic and its neighbor, Slovakia, soon after joining the European Union diminished their enthusiasm and euphoria. The essence of the plan is that a Czech and a Slovak “water” the map of the former Czechoslovakia, displaying the letters “E” and “U” on it. :)
video of this action:
Impressed, smiled and walked on. In general, the Czechs are a little cunning. They seem to swear at the European Union, but nevertheless, historically, they are very striving for everything European. Here and there you come across the "Prague Eiffel Tower", then the "Florence", then the "Champs Elysees". Not to mention the "Czech Switzerland". But we go further and, of course, got lost in the crooked and narrow streets:
Found. They realized that the Vltava was not far from us.
The Vltava is a restless river, sometimes tossing and turning in its historical bed and causing floods. We see a mark about the water level during the flooding of 2002:
The hike was surprised by the traffic light on the narrowest street in Prague. In essence, this is a passage between houses and two adults cannot separate in it, and therefore on both sides of the passage there is a button connected to a traffic light:
From the bridge across one of the canals admired the "Prague Venice":
Each wedding passing by attaches its castle to the railing of the bridge, the locks will soon have nowhere to hang, or the historic bridge will collapse:
At this time, the understanding came that it would not hurt to have a snack. And keep warm a little. :) Because the first signs of fatigue appeared, and with them the feeling of beauty began to dull.
To fulfill our desire, the numerous bakeries are the best suited, where delicious Trdelnik buns are baked right in front of you. And this roll is best used with a glass of hot mulled wine. Mmm, it's delicious!
Refreshed and warmed up, restored the feeling of beauty - and our excursion walk went on with renewed vigor :). At the same time, we present the prices in cafes in the tourist center:
Let's go look for the lower funicular station. Suddenly, instead of a station, a sculptural composition from the Museum of Communism appears in front of us - melting people:
The memory of the Czechs about the Soviet period, however.
We found the lower station, went upstairs in the trailer:
Not far from the upper station, the "Prague Eiffel Tower" was built:
We went out and examined the tower. Cool, not very similar to Parisian.
We went down in a cable car to the lower station. We went along narrow streets towards the Vltava.
Passing through the park, we saw a monument, came closer. "Don't be afraid, Masha, I'm Dubrovsky!" (with) :) :
We wandered along the banks of the Vltava. Katya at the foot of the Charles Bridge:
We came to the conclusion that the examination of the left bank can be completed at this point. It's time to cross the Vltava along the Charles Bridge.
There is an endless stream of tourists on the bridge at any time of the year. Still - this is one of the main recognizable postcard images of Prague, everyone wants to capture themselves on the bridge. Well, we are no exception:
Vltava from Charles Bridge:
The pillars of the bridge, looking towards the source of the river, are made in the form of irons, and in front of them are structures of raised logs. This is all in order to break ice floes during ice drift:
We went over the bridge and ended up on the right bank of the Vltava. Here the movement of tourists is even greater:
Once again we got lost in the intricacies of narrow streets, it is not clear how we got to the Powder Tower and the Public House:
We gazed at the building of one of the theaters:
We saw the only building in the Czech Republic in the style of "an example of cubism" - it is necessary to express him a stormy delight. The house "at the Black Mother of God", for some reason tucked into a cage. Expressed:
Although, to be honest, nothing special. We, of course, are not great specialists in architecture, but the buildings of department stores in the regional centers of the Republic of Belarus are built in a similar style. And they do not pretend to be tourist sites. We need to throw in an idea! And the stairs there are really cool, we were convinced.
There is one notable brasserie around the corner of the "cubic" building. And it is notable for the fact that Vaclav Havel and Bill Clinton drank beer here once in an informal setting:
We went in, looked at the menu (by the way, it was already possible to dine), but the menu did not impress us - there was no "baked knee". And from beer there was no Kruzhovitsa. :(
Let's go for a walk further.
Here we met the Czech pomegranate shop. Granat d.u.v. Turnov. Address - Dlouha, 28:
We purposefully returned to this store on another day. It will be useful to know that in Prague there are two more authorized stores selling a REAL pomegranate from Turnov - at the addresses Panska Pasaz - Na Prikope 23 and Panska 1/892. Other stores may sell you glass instead of a pomegranate.
By the way, jewelry with pomegranate is a great option for a gift from the Czech Republic.
We leave on the Old Town Square:
The traffic of tourists never stops here:
We looked at the clock on the Old Town Square, listened to their fight (fortunately, the time has come to the next full hour):
The clock is just magical!
Winding through narrow streets, we made our way to Wenceslas Square, again "Prague's Champs Elysees". This Paris was given to them. Vaclavek is good in itself, without nicknames:
The area is huge and is also teeming with tourists at any time of the year.
The building of the national museum. Now under restoration:
In 1968, this building came under fire from tanks. Soviet tank units entered Prague to establish a regime loyal to the USSR ("Prague Spring"), and for some reason it seemed to the military that the government was sitting in this building (they had neither information nor maps). They opened fire on the museum (!). We figured it out later ... The building to this day keeps, as a memory of that time, traces of shelling - on the facade on the columns, potholes from shells are specially sealed with material of a different color.
We went back to the side streets and ended up at the Jindriezh Tower:
We noticed that it was getting dark, looked at the clock, and then it dawned on us that we were terribly hungry. Next to the tower is the appropriate restaurant "U Jindrizhskaya Vezha", which we visited for dinner:
And they were satisfied - tasty and satisfying. As soon as they got out, it was completely dark, got on a tram and went to our hotel "Olshanka".
The tourist tour of Prague is over. It is better that it be stretched out for two or three days. The length of the described walking route is 6-7 kilometers.
2. Prague non-tourist or details of Prague
After taking a look at the historical and architectural sights, I wanted to see how these historic centuries-old houses look from the courtyard, from the inside. The fact that the facades are in openwork is understandable. What is a Prague courtyard?
So, it turned out that it is not possible to look at the houses "from the inside" and in the courtyards - because all the houses of any quarter are built close to each other and it is unrealistic to walk between the houses in the courtyards. The quarters were built like fortresses:
"Entrances" in our understanding are brought directly to the street, and the doors are closed to the intercom:
And intercoms work everywhere :). You will not enter anywhere.
In order for residents to enter the courtyard by car, arches are provided, which are also protected by gates. And the gate is properly closed by default:
But the road will be mastered by the one walking, and the seeker will find! There were a couple of gates through which we managed to slip (some were not closed tightly, others were entered after a car drove in there).
And they saw the arrangement of courtyards in the historical part of the city.
We go through the gate, go through the arch, see mailboxes and doors to the stairs:
Concierge booth:
A modern elevator has been added to the side of the old building in the courtyard:
There is usually very little parking space, so cars are parked in rows. Until the keeper leaves, the rest will not be able to leave:
In another courtyard, we saw an alternative way of parking - three-storey garages. Lift for cars:
What can I say ... Europe, however.
The Zizkov area where we lived.
Hotel Olshanka (here we were based):
The Olse restaurant is opposite the hotel, across the street. This cafe is mainly for the local population. If you want to plunge into the real (non-tourist) Prague atmosphere - go. We were - the price tag is the same as in the center of Prague, and in general it's cool and tasty. Only the waiters are greedy - openly demanding a tip. A beer house for local men in general, but Czechs drink culturally:
Tram lines leading to the center:
Here we board the tram:
And we will take the tram one stop towards the center:
Pshistski screensaver - Jindrizhska (c). It sounds like music!))
And then we will move in a tram across the bridge over the Vltava:
Panoramic mirrors hang at intersections with insufficient visibility:
Now a few words about parking in Prague (and in general in the Czech Republic), in case you are driving (your own or a rental car).
All types of parking lots are marked with lines of different colors on the roadway.
Blue line - RESERVE zone - parking is allowed only to those who bought a subscription card and stuck it on the windshield. This card gives the right to park not everywhere, but in a certain area of the city (Prague is divided into several districts - Prague-1, Prague-2, ..., Prague-9, ...) and is valid for a month or a year.
White line - in these zones, parking is allowed for everyone, only you need to pay for it through the parking meter or directly to the valet (he will issue a check). The check must be left under glass. An example of such a parking lot was above - Wenceslas Square.
Yellow herringbone line - no parking is allowed.
Repeatedly saw how the police came and checked all parked cars with season tickets or checks.
If there is no check or subscription card, then a "trap" is written out for the car and an instruction on what to do next is hung on the glass. Here's an example:
If there are no lines, then you can park for free. Only such places in the center of Prague we have not seen.
Happy travels!
Come to the Czech Republic!
Practical information
How to get from the airport to the center of Prague? (How to get from Vaclav Havel Airport to Prague?)
At the exit from the airport there will be a kiosk that sells tickets for public transport. If you do not have crowns, there are machines nearby for exchanging euros, dollars and pounds for crowns, and a little further there is an exchanger. Normal rate - 1 euro - 25 ... 26 kroons, 1 dollar - 18 ... 19 kroons. Buy a ticket for CZK 32 (one and a half hours) and get off at the bus stop. Your bus number 119. Get into it, mark the ticket on the composter, and drive to the final stop Dejvicka. There you change with the same ticket on the metro line "A" and get off at the station you need. Easily.
Features of public transport in Prague (in the Czech Republic).
There are three types of public transport in Prague - tram, metro, bus. The most popular for us was the tram. Trams run on schedule, very often, a schedule is posted at each stop. Trams in Prague are beautiful, surprisingly nimble - they move faster than in Belarus. The tram at the crosswalk takes precedence.
The metro consists of 3 lines - A, B, C.
In any type of transport there is a clock, all stops are announced (audio recording is played), in addition, the names of stops are highlighted on the display. Public transport has a clean and tidy appearance, passengers travel while sitting and standing.
A single public transport ticket costs 24 CZK for 30 minutes, 32 CZK for 90 minutes. After entering the transport, it is necessary to "validate" the ticket - insert the ticket into the puncher, the composter itself puts the current time stamp on it. And from that moment you can use any transport within the validity period of the ticket - i.e. 30 or 90 minutes. Those. a ticket, for example, for 90 minutes, you entered the tram at 15:00, checked the ticket, traveled by the tram for 20 minutes, then switched to the metro, go to the metro, left the metro at 16:10, switched to the bus, and must not leave the bus later than 16:30. The inspectors have not been seen, but they say that they are.
There is also a funicular with two stations, a single ticket for it is valid. The funicular takes you to the Prague Eiffel Tower.
Minibuses were not noticed.
How to rent a car in the Czech Republic?
How much is in the Czech Republic? Prices in Prague
First, exchange rates.
Many currencies are accepted in the Czech Republic, let's focus on the main ones - the euro, the dollar, the Russian ruble (yes, yes - the Russian ruble is freely accepted in exchange offices).
The exchange rates at which you can deposit currency - 1 euro - 25 ... 26 CZK, 1 dollar - 18 ... 19 kroons... Be sure to specify how many crowns you will receive on hand for such and such an amount of euros (dollars, rubles). In some exchangers, only selling rates can hang, not purchases; many exchangers have a hidden commission. If you change at the bank, you will need a passport, if you change in the "Arab exchangers", then the passport is useless. "Arab exchangers" are the majority of exchangers in Prague and Arabs sit in them.
So, the money is exchanged, in the pocket of the kroons, so the prices will be in kroons.
Dine in a restaurant in Prague - 500-700 CZK for two. These will be salads, one "knee" for two (and one may not be able to master it - it goes from a kilogram) or another specialty or two smaller dishes, beer for each. These are generally satisfying and tasty, don't worry. Dinner for two for 800-1000 CZK is if instead of beer there is a bottle of wine, and with tea / coffee and something for tea / coffee.
Just drink Czech beer in a cafe - 30-50 CZK per half liter. Tea or coffee with pastries in the center of Prague - 100-150 CZK per person.
Prices in stores.
Czech beer 0.5 - 13-15 CZK.
Becherovka 0.5 - from 150 to 290 CZK, depending on the store and the type of Becherovka (saw 3 types - Original, Lemon, Cordial)
Absinthe - well, it's generally difficult to figure it out - it has many different types, and stores wind up in very different ways. From 250 to 1000 CZK.
From things, clothes, shoes - there is no shopping in Prague, the prices are high. Baseball cap 300-350 CZK, cap 200 CZK, children's jacket for a child 3 years old - 1100-1300 CZK, Nike sneakers - 2200-2700 CZK. There were no discounts. Perhaps you need to come for shopping during sales.
Can the term "unknown" be applied to Prague? It all depends on the guides, tours and routes you choose. And then the long-known Prague will convince you otherwise.
Myths about cheap Prague
For a long time, Prague had a reputation not only for being amazing, but also for being a very cheap city. But those days have long since sunk into oblivion. Prague is still an amazing city, of course, if the crowds of tourists do not bother you, but with its cheapness things are worse. The Czech capital has risen in price in recent years. And now it's not much cheaper here than, say, in Berlin.
Prague main routes
Many guides start their excursion around Prague from the Powder Gate, a 65-meter tower from the 15th century, at the gate of which Celetna Street begins.
There is an observation deck on the second floor of the gate, but in order to get closer to the angels and royalty, you need to climb almost 190 steps.
Once in Old Town Square, go to the Tourist Information Center, where you will be provided with a free map of Prague. By the way, it is very easy to navigate the city, so you can do without a guide.
Initially, the Old Town Square was one large market, but then it was moved to the outskirts, ennobling the historical center of Prague. Seeing the Babylonian tourist crowd here, know that the epicenter of the city's guests' curiosity is the Orloi Astronomical Clock, which was installed in the 15th century so that the townspeople came to Mass without delay.
Don't even try to figure out all the symbols and hands of this amazing chronometer. It will be enough to know that the clock even shows days, months, years, the times of the rising and setting of the Sun and the Moon, the position of the zodiacal signs, as well as Old Bohemian, Central European and planetary time. Wait between 8:00 and 20:00 for the start of a new hour, and you will witness a real mystery: the Orloi watch will put on a small performance for you, the protagonists of which will be the apostles, the curmudgeon with a bag of gold, the vain magician, the Turk-sinner and the skeleton, ringing a bell and reminding mere mortals that everything in this world is perishable.
The main thing is that during the striking of the clock, hold on to your bags, because the pickpockets in Prague do not sleep, constantly proving that they are one of the best tweezers in the world.
After winking with Jan Hus, whose monument stands in the center of the square, you can hire a horse-drawn carriage and set off on a trip around Prague to the sound of cautious hooves.
Even if you ignore all the other architectural landmarks of Old Town Square, the Church of the Virgin Mary in front of Týn you will never miss. It is a local dominant that boasts the oldest organ in Prague.
Charles bridge and street
Speaking about the main attraction of Prague, they definitely mean the Charles Bridge, through which the Royal Road passed in the old days. This is an open-air art gallery.
There are always crowds of tourists, many of whom do not even suspect that the sculptures on the Charles Bridge have a very deep political and even ideological meaning. Basically, here you can find the disseminators of Catholicism immortalized in stone. This was one of the ways that the Habsburgs used to prevent the Hussism from giving a chance, thanks to which the Czechs have always strived for independence and were at the forefront of self-awareness.
But tourists are practically not attracted by sculptures, because they come to the Charles Bridge to make their wishes come true. For example, at the monument to St. John of Nepomuk you will have to take a queue, which sometimes resembles the crush to the first Moscow McDonald's in 1990.
If you believe what the guides say, then by rubbing the executed saint or the confessing queen, any wish will come true.
Many tinder the dog, which is adjacent to Nepomuk. A whole cloud of legends is swarming around the four-legged wish-fulfiller. Some believe that if you touch the image of an animal, you can ensure marital fidelity. Others are confident that this touch will help pets recover. And still others claim that a dog will bark only if a man who has never cheated on his wife touches it. They touched and were ashamed - as one would expect, the dog was silent, as if it had taken water from the Vltava into its mouth.
The most notable building of Karlova Street is the house "At the Golden Well" (U zlate studny), which depicts the saints who once defended Prague from the plague. This place is of great interest for lovers of everything otherworldly and mystical. They say that within the walls of the house you can see a decapitated Spanish knight and his headless wife.
Even if you have never read the immortal works of an imperishable creative giant like Franz Kafka, Prague will push you to fill this educational gap. Much here reminds of the great writer. Next to the Old Town Square is the house where Kafka was born, where fantasies still live and mystical metaphors are in the air of the writer who knew exactly how big and all-encompassing fear of the outside world can be.
Before heading out to Prague Castle, which is worth visiting if only for capturing a fantastic panorama of Prague, look for the Dancing House. It is located just a few minutes walk from Karlovo Namesti metro station, on the route of tram 17. This is a deconstructivist office building often referred to as "Ginger and Fred" after the famous pair of dancers. Now the Dancing House is up for auction, and the company, which offered 10 million euros for it, is going to open a museum of architecture and design in it.
Prague Castle
Prague has its own little secret. This is Prague Castle, which in its essence is a city within a city, and by the state of mind it is a country within a metropolis.
The Prazsky Hrad fortress served as the seat of the Czech rulers. However, she continues to play this role today, because the residence of the Czech president is located on the territory of Prague Castle.
Entry to the territory of Prague Castle is free, therefore, about 6 million tourists come here every year, who want to feel their insignificance at the walls of St. Vitus Cathedral and watch the honed movements of the guards during the changing of the guard, which takes place every hour from five in the morning until midnight.
Prague - the capital of river and land trams
To get around Prague, you can use any convenient means of transport, but at the same time you need to take a ride on a local tram at least once. To do this, you need to buy a ticket that applies to all types of public transport and sets a certain time limit.
Ticket:
- for half an hour it will cost 24 kroons ($ 1.19);
- for an hour and a half - 32 kroons ($ 1.6);
- a day pass will cost 110 kroons ($ 5.5).
The right to use public transport for 72 hours will cost 310 CZK (about $ 15). So, as you can see, it is relatively inexpensive and at the same time very punctual and convenient.
In that case, if you want to experience all the exotic tourist on your own experience, then book tours on bicycles, segways, vintage cars or pedicabs.
Daily bike rental from City Bike Prague will cost $ 36, and for a city bike tour, they will ask for $ 27. At the same time, adding only $ 2, you can buy Audio MP3 Tour, which is available in Russian.
Renting an exotic Segway in Prague costs about $ 155 for 5 hours. But it's better to buy the Great Prague Segway Tour for $ 80, which includes a workout and a two-hour excursion.
A 30-minute rickshaw tour of the Old Town will cost 450 kronor ($ 22), while an evening cruise along the Vltava with dinner and live music will cost only $ 40.
We recommend booking tickets and excursions around Prague on the sputnik8 website, in the catalog there are 65 walks with Russian-speaking guides and you can book online with a 5% discount.
Instead of a conclusion
As you leave Prague, you will begin to doubt the correctness of the academic data with which your head was hammered in school. According to the textbooks, Prague is the capital of the Czech Republic. But why, after visiting her, there is a strong belief that this city is the capital of the entire Universe? You may have uncovered the biggest deception of your life.
Prague is known for an abundance of ancient sights and a rich history. Tourists wander the medieval streets with inspiration, admire the decoration of churches and the architecture of ancient buildings. But quite often, next to the well-known monuments described in any one, unusual sights "hide", which not all tourists know about. Prague has many amazing and interesting places - both modern and ancient - that deserve attention. Especially if you are one of the travelers who like to discover unusual, "non-tourist", little-known places.
Prague is an amazing city. Ancient palaces and churches coexist here with extravagant modern buildings. Ancient legends - with turbulent modernity. And on medieval streets that "breathe" history, you can unexpectedly come across shocking sculptures by modern masters. What interesting can Prague show us apart from its own? To understand and feel this city, let's try to deviate from the usual tourist routes and take a look at some interesting places in Prague.
Interesting places on the island of Kampa
Kampa Island is located in the very center of Prague, next to the Charles Bridge. But at the same time, it is a surprisingly calm place, not overcrowded with tourists. Kampa is an artificially created island between the Vltava River and the small channel Chertovka. Thanks to the canal lined with old houses, Kampa delights the eye with picturesque views. The island is often called the "Venice of Prague". This is a quiet, cozy and beautiful area, which is so nice to just walk and admire the views. But while walking, let's not forget about interesting places and unusual sights!
The narrowest street
Vinárna Čertovka street The narrowest street in Prague is only 70 centimeters wide. Even two people will not be able to disperse on it! It is called Vinárna Čertovka because of the nearby winery. On the narrow street, there were often even congestions, especially when the cheerful visitors of nearby taverns met on it and could not disperse. Therefore, the fire services and city authorities ordered the innkeeper to hang traffic lights on both sides of the street.
The narrowest street is right next to the Charles Bridge. It is easy to find if you go from the city center towards Hradčany. From there, only 150 meters - and you are already waiting for the green traffic signal!
To easily find this attraction in Prague, download our foriPhone... The narrowest street is included in our
Lovers' Bridge and Velkopřevorska Mill
In any self-respecting city there are places and traditions that provide lovers with the opportunity to symbolically “fix” their romantic feelings. In many cities, these are the Bridges of Lovers, hung with hundreds of locks, the keys to which lovers prudently throw into the river so as never to be parted. There is such a bridge in Prague, small and cozy, and it is located on the same romantic island of Kampa.
From the bridge you can also admire the old Vekopřevorska water mill. And if you look closely, you will also see a figurine of the Water Caburek, a character of Czech fairy tales and legends, who smokes a pipe and looks thoughtfully at the water.
Anna's house
There is another interesting place on the Kampa island called "Anna's House". Its beautiful balcony is visible even from the Charles Bridge. It is this balcony that is worth paying attention to, because above which hangs an icon of the Mother of God with an inextinguishable lamp lit in front of her. There are two whole legends connected with "Anna's House" on the Kampa island. One of them is about a woman named Anna who lived there during a very severe flood in 1892. When the water had already flooded almost the entire house, she ran out to the balcony in despair ... and suddenly saw the icon of the Mother of God floating by. Anna managed to catch her, and she began to pray fervently for salvation. Soon the water began to subside! In gratitude and in memory of the miracle, the hostess hung the icon over the balcony and lit an inextinguishable lamp in front of it (today it is electric).
It is worth paying attention to an unusual detail in the icon - these are two wooden rollers, both to the right and to the left of it. There is another legend about a servant who worked for Anna and ironed the linen using an ironing machine. Somehow an accident happened - the girl's hand was between the rollers. In this critical situation, she began to pray to the Mother of God. The mechanism miraculously stopped, the maid was able to free her hand and remained safe and sound. In memory of this miracle, rollers were placed next to the icon.
The Kampa Island Walk is part of our audio tour "", which can be listened to oniPhone with a guide to PragueTravelry ... The guide will "take" you to the most interesting places on the island, and the audio guide will "tell" about Narrow Street, the Bridge of Lovers, the old mill, Anna's House and many other interesting places in Prague.
Lennon wall
There is a place in Prague that many fans of the legendary band “The Beatles” flock to. Since the fans began to paint the wall in front of the French embassy with portraits of John Lennon and many inscriptions, the city authorities have repeatedly tried to stop the "outrage" and periodically painted over the wall. But over time, they stopped even trying. The Lennon Memorial Wall has become a popular meeting place for young people and one of Prague's unusual landmarks. Street musicians can often be found here. And the wall itself “lives” and continues to be covered with various messages.
Unusual sculptures of Prague
The beauty of Prague, famous for its ancient buildings, medieval towers and historical sights, often surprises tourists with an abundance of unusual and whimsical modern sculptures. This city has a strange mix of different eras, styles and moods!
"Hanging Man"
Many tourists, walking in a relaxed manner along Gusovaya Street, are terribly frightened when they suddenly raise their heads and see ... a person hanging above them, who is holding onto a beam with one hand and is about to fall off! Many hearts sink into their heels! But this is just a monument to Sigmund Freud, the “father of psychoanalysis”, who “hovered” over the abyss of the unconscious. Its author is David Cherny, known for his shocking works. The sculpture "hovered" over Gusovaya Street back in 1997. Since then, "The Hanging Man" has "visited" more than one world-famous exhibition complex ...
The unusual sculpture "The Hanging Man", like many other interesting places of the Old Town, we will see in the walk with the audio guide "", which is available in the mobile guide to PragueTravelry.
March of the penguins across the Vltava
The figures of penguins glowing in the dark, "marching" along the banks of the Vltava River near the Kapma Museum, cause bewilderment and a smile. 34 yellow penguins stand one after another on the platform right in the water, and a huge chair about six meters high is visible nearby. These compositions are elements of the Prague Re-Evolution exhibition organized by the Kampa Museum (Museum of Contemporary Art).
Monument "Cloak without a Man"
A somewhat surreal monument is located near the Estates Theater in Prague. The pedestal ... on it is a strange figure, covered from head to toe with a cloak, and instead of a face - emptiness ... At the first second you start, but it's hard to take your eyes off the empty hood. To whom is this monument dedicated and who is its author? It turned out that the sculptor Anna Chromie created her creation in dedication to Mozart and his opera Don Giovanni - after all, the premiere of this famous work took place here at the Estates Theater, while the great author himself conducted! The monument is called differently: "Cloak without a man", "Man without a face", "Anonymous", "Cloak of conscience", but most often - "Il commendatore", that is, "Commander". After all, he embodies the image of one of the heroes of the opera - the Commander, or rather, his spirit.
Hear an interesting story about the Estates Theater and other interesting places nearby on the audio tour "".
Monument to Kafka
The monument to the legendary writer Franz Kafka is one of the most unusual in Prague. It is also special in that it gives a lot of reason to think and leaves a wide scope for interpretation. Just imagine - a small man is sitting on an empty suit of impressive size. The body is not visible under the jacket, and the head is not above it. What does it symbolize? Interpretations are possible different, perhaps you will have your own! It is believed that the jacket is a symbol of the system, power, and the character sitting on it personifies the collective image of the hero of Kafka's works - a “little” person who obeys the system. One can also recall Kafka's story "The Story of a Struggle". Her hero climbed onto the shoulders of a random companion, to whom he experienced a feeling of envy. But this feeling passed when the hero saw the world through someone else's eyes and was in "someone else's costume." There can be many explanations for this monument. But it makes an indelible impression ... It is noteworthy that the monument is located exactly where the border between the quarter where Jews lived, and the Old City, inhabited by Christians, passed.
To meet the grave of a Soviet soldier in the center of ancient Prague is a big surprise for many tourists. Moreover, with an inscription on the monument: "Eternal glory to Comrade Belyakov." Buried there is a soldier named Belyakov, who died during the liberation of Prague in 1945. They say that, dying in the monastery hospital, the soldier asked to be buried next to Loreta - the monastery with which the name of the entire Loretan square is associated. “Comrade Belyakov” was very fond of the ringing of the Loretanian bells and always wanted to hear it.
We visit the beautiful Loretan Square, in particular, the Tomb of the Soviet Soldier, in . Download our audio guide and explore Prague with inspiration!
Street New World
One of the most famous and popular tourist attractions in Prague is Zlata Lane in Prague Castle, with its tiny bright, almost doll houses. But not all tourists get to another amazing medieval street - New World. Meanwhile, it also captivates with its unique medieval flavor. And to feel it here is much easier, without the tourist bustle, noise and hustle and bustle.
Novy Svet Street is very small, calm, and therefore very cozy. She walks along the former city walls. The unique look of the street is created by a number of small houses decorated with amazing house signs. Once upon a time, the people who served the Prague Castle lived here. In those days, the street was modest and poor. But after centuries, the situation changed radically: artists, writers and poets began to settle on this street. The old street has become prestigious, and today real estate is very expensive.
Novy Svet Street has been rebuilt more than once due to frequent fires. But after a global restructuring in the 17th century, it was left alone, later restoring only individual houses. But few people know that it was here, in the house “At the Golden Griffin”, that the famous scientist Tycho Brahe lived. By the way, the "golden" here is not only a griffin. Many houses on the street have “golden” names and are decorated with corresponding house signs. They say that in this way the first inhabitants of the street (mostly servants or poor artisans) tried to "scare away" or embellish the poverty in which they lived. Well, today there is no need to embellish anything here - the old, cozy and romantic Novy Svet street is good in itself and is one of the most comfortable and interesting places in Prague.
A leisurely walk along Novyi Svet Street is part of the audio tour "" with a guideTravelry. The audio guide will help you learn many amazing stories and interesting facts about Prague, andGPS guide will not let you get lost in this magical city!
ADVICE
If you're traveling with an iPhone, use. You can easily find interesting and unusual sights of Prague both on the map and in the catalog of places. To do this, select a filter, and in it - the category "See something unusual".
Many tourists do not want to hustle in a noisy crowd and walk along learned paths with guides. I would like to have some fresh impressions of my own. I will tell you about the "non-tourist" places in Prague, where to walk, what to see and visit.
Not all Czech guests choose popular tourist routes. Many people do not feel like jostling in a noisy crowd and walking along learned paths with guides. I would like fresh personal impressions, but there is not enough information - guidebooks offer only standard excursions.
I will tell you what places in Prague "non-tourist" is worth a walk, what to see, what institutions to visit.
Non-touristy areas of Prague
There are areas in the Czech capital where there are almost no tourists, but the atmosphere and architecture are original and interesting. One of these areas is Royal.
Picturesque villas have been preserved in Královské Vinohrady from the time of the First Republic. The inhabitants of Prague themselves like to dine in local cafes and restaurants. It is especially beautiful in Vinohrady in spring.
Prestigious area Nutcracker(Ořechovka) is located not far from. Its quiet green streets are home to beautifully restored antiques.
District Karlin(Karlín) is also near the center. The local streets and pubs have retained the true spirit of antiquity.
Vyšehrad is a historic district on a hill, far from the center. This is a romantic place with a garden, park and many beautiful "non-tourist" streets. Read my u on this page
Vrsovice(Vršovice) is one of the oldest districts with cozy courtyards, small shops, parks.
Podoli(Podolí) - a quiet area with authentic streets, private cottages, villas.
District Smikhov(Smíchov) is a place where you can drink real beer in a "non-tourist" pub, visit shops, take a walk in one of the beautiful parks.
Strzeszowice(Střešovice). Most of the district has received the status of a protected area. Many old villas have survived here.
Bubenech(Bubeneč) is a prestigious area surrounded by greenery. The architecture of the buildings here is varied and eclectic. There are embassy villas here, including the Russian one. Bubenech can be called the focus of Russian culture: an Orthodox church of St. George, there is a Russian restaurant and a cultural center "Arbat". Here is the picturesque Prague park -.
Prague pub
According to many connoisseurs, Prague can be called the world beer capital. There are pubs in the city, which tourists know little about, and locals like to drink there. Download my beer map etc.
Organ music concerts
You don't have to buy a ticket to listen to an organ concert. Go to a Catholic service as usual. Beautiful solemn services are held in the capital's churches before Christmas.
Memory of Marina Tsvetaeva
Here you need to follow the program of cultural events. There are a lot of them in the Czech capital, almost every day you can choose an event to your liking.
Orthodox churches
Assumption Church in Prague
Of course, the Czech Republic is a Catholic country, but there are also Orthodox churches here. Orthodox pilgrims can create their own itinerary through Prague's churches.
Flea markets
Variety and uniqueness always attract travelers. There are four such bazaars in Prague, the largest is Kolbenovka. Here you can find literally everything and buy authentic Czech souvenirs and real antiques for a reasonable price.
Gastronomic souvenirs
Visit not "promoted" tourist shops, but ordinary hypermarkets, where the inhabitants of Prague go to shop themselves. You can buy grocery gifts for yourself, friends and relatives in shopping centers. In summer, autumn or during Advent, I advise you to visit Czech fairs.
Prague in the absence of tourists
If you want to see the most striking sights of the capital, but you do not like the crowd, go for a walk early in the morning or in the evenings, after 21:00. During these hours, the center is not crowded, and you can see everything without fuss.
Theaters
Prague National Theater
How do I save on hotels?
It's very simple - look not only at the booking. I prefer the search engine RoomGuru. He is looking for discounts on Booking and 70 other booking sites at the same time.
Do you want to become “your own” in the Czech capital? The secret is simple - stop rushing. Do not try to visit all the tourist attractions described in the guide, but rather stay away from them altogether. Why do you need these crowds of people, overpriced prices, service problems and standard souvenirs? Let's talk about an alternative Prague - the way the indigenous people know and love it!
Antonínovo pekařství
This small bakery (more precisely, two - a branch recently opened) enjoys a well-deserved popularity among local residents. They line up to buy traditional bread and pies (kolaches) prepared according to the recipes of Czech grandmothers. Breakfasts are no less good, especially the favorite of many Prague residents, which brings back memories of childhood - bread with egg salad and a cup of cocoa. Table reservations are not practiced, so in the morning on the weekend you will have to stand in line (usually it moves quite quickly). You can sit outside and observe the measured life of the area.
Address: Laubova 4 (Praha 3), Moskevská 38 (Praha 10).
Opening hours: daily from 7:30 to 19:30.
Choco Café
A family-run workshop and café serving 50 types of chocolate, some of which are very original, such as chili. It is also worth trying hořické trubičky wafer rolls with a cream filling, the taste of which is emphasized by chocolate, nuts and other additives. A serving of two straws costs 55 CZK (€ 2).
Address: Liliová 250/4, Klimentská 34, Betlémské nám. 8 (Praha 1)
Opening hours: daily from 10:00 to 20:00.
Můj šálek kávy
Residents of Prague's Karlin district love this place for its versatility. Here you can have breakfast, lunch, drink coffee (gourmets consider it one of the best in the city), eat dessert or chat with friends over a glass of wine. The cafe is famous for its "English breakfast" - connoisseurs say that it is prepared here according to all the rules. To burn off the extra calories from this beautiful establishment, climb the nearby Vítkov Hill overlooking .
Want to save money? We have collected for you all the places in Prague that you canAddress: Křižíkova 105 (Praha 8).
Opening hours: Monday to Saturday from 9:00 to 22:00, Sunday from 10:00 to 18:00.
La Dégustation Bohême Bourgeoise
Czech cuisine, lacking sophistication according to many gourmets, is a challenge for any chef. In this institution he was received with dignity - they developed a tasting menu of 11 dishes based on culinary recipes of the 19th century. The issue price is 3350 CZK (€ 125).
Address: Haštalská 18 (Praha 1).
Opening hours: daily from 18:00 to 00:00.
Qubus Gallery
Fans of contemporary art and non-standard souvenirs will appreciate this art space created by designers Yakub Berdic and Maxim Velkovsky. Here you can see the works of Czech and foreign masters, as well as buy interesting (and very expensive) items made of glass, porcelain, wood, metal, wax, plastic and other materials.
From cabaret to antique districts -Address: Rámová 3 (Praha 1).
Opening hours: daily from 11:00 to 19:00.
Cross club
The place loved by representatives of the DIY subculture. They are attracted here by non-commercial music (dubstep, breakbeat, reggae, ska, punk, rockabilly and drum and bass), low prices, an unspoken permission to smoke weed and a mesmerizing interior in which the world of Jules Verne and cyberpunk plots are bizarrely mixed. Czech and foreign performers regularly perform here, as well as other interesting events: author readings, theatrical performances, film screenings. A nice bonus - most of them can be visited for free or for a symbolic amount.
Where is the real underground of Amsterdam located?Address: Jindřišská 5 (Praha 1).
Opening hours: daily from 14:00 to 22:30.
Concert Hall Atrium
It is located in a former church building. It hosts concerts of classical music, tickets for which are obscenely cheap (Prague residents claim that at times they cost no more than a Big Mac). Sometimes famous musicians perform here, for the pleasure of listening to them in famous halls, you will have to pay much more.
Address: Čajkovského 12 (Praha 3).
Working hours: according to the schedule of concerts.
Dox Center for Contemporary Art
Interesting exhibitions are constantly held here, sometimes even several at once (a ticket costs 180 CZK or € 6.5). You can join the excursion (there are English-speaking guides) to get maximum information about the exhibits presented. There is a café, a shop selling glass and porcelain souvenirs, jewelry from the best Czech designers and art books.
Address: Poupětova 1 (Praha 7).
Working hours: Tuesday - closed, Wednesday and Friday - from 11:00 to 19:00, Thursday - from 11:00 to 21:00, Saturday-Monday - from 10:00 to 18:00.
Page Five
A cozy shop specializing in the sale of books and magazines about art, as well as copyright prints. There are creations of young Czech authors and popular magazines Kinfolk, Frame and Monocle, editions in English are presented. The average cost of a book is 300 CZK (€ 11). Opposite there is a home bistro - Bistro 8, where you can have a cup of coffee and cake or have a full lunch after a successful shopping.
Address: Veverkova 5 (Praha 7).
Working hours: Monday to Friday from 12:00 to 19:00, Saturday from 12:00 to 16:00, Sunday is a day off.
Second hand Fifty Fifty
Are you smiling sarcastically? Not worth it! This is not a shop with time-worn rags, but the kingdom of vintage clothing! A stylish lady rules here, who personally brings interesting specimens from her trips (mostly from Berlin). You can buy tunics, blouses and shirts from the 70s, Levi's jeans from the 90s, handbags and other accessories - all in excellent condition. From time to time, you come across real treasures, such as a Burberry coat. Average cost of clothes - 300 CZK (€ 11).
Address: Slezská 28 (Praha 2).
Working hours: from Monday to Saturday from 10:00 to 18:00, Sunday is a day off.
Paralelní polis
This unique place can be called a state within a state. A hacker state. It was conceived by the legendary Czech artists' association Ztohoven, in order to promote the development of cryptanarchism.
All the most important things you need to know about Prague -In addition to the coworking space, there is a cafe - officially the first institution on the planet where only virtual currency - bitcoins - is accepted for payment. For those who are far from the world of "digital money", there are so-called "paper wallets" that are used for one-time transactions. The coffee is great here - Bonanza Berlin roast, recognized as one of the best in the world.
Address: Dělnická 43 (Praha 7).
Working hours: Monday to Friday from 8:00 to 20:00.
MeetFactory art space
An art gallery, theater, music stage and coworking space for creative people. This place was founded by the Czech sculptor-provocateur David Cerny, so don't be surprised by the appearance of the building - its walls are decorated with pink cars and drips of paint. There are bands playing indie and electro music, studios of young artists, exhibitions, fairs and festivals from time to time. The average ticket price is 350 CZK (€ 13). The good news for non-smoking people is that this bad habit is banned at MeetFactory.
