One Day in Prague

05. 04. 2018 · 3 min read

Step into a fairy tale when you first arrive in Prague, the so-called “City of a thousand spires” in the Czech Republic. Wander down the winding cobblestone streets – you’re sure to find something new and exciting.

Immerse yourself in Prague

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Top places

Your visit can start at the Charles Bridge, the iconic 14th century sight, lined by 30 statues of saints and over 500 metres long. A legend has it that its foundation stone was laid at a very specific time chosen by Charles IV himself to ensure the strength of the bridge. Continue to the Vltava riverside, take some pictures of the Prague Castle from here and stop at the Old Town Square. The most famous sight here is the Astronomical Clock with moving figures of the Apostles. It’s over 600 years old and the world’s oldest astronomical clock that is still in use (unfortunately currently down for maintenance till about September).

No visit to the city would be complete without stopping at the Wenceslas Square. It is one of the most bustling places in the city, best known for the statue of the Saint Wenceslas sitting on a horse. If you have the time, visit also the historic fort of Vyšehrad. The first Czech rulers settled here in the 10th century and the Vyšehrad Cemetery is the final resting place of many famous Czechs.

Amazing views

The Petřín hill is one of the places where the locals head to during spring. For even better views, visit the lookout tower at the top. It will probably remind you of the Eiffel Tower from which its authors drew inspiration. The Letná Park is another place to see Prague from a different perspective. The metronome here was erected in 1991 in the place of a huge Stalin monument that used to oversee Prague up until 1962.

To get a 360° view of Prague, head to the Prague TV Tower. It is the tallest structure in the city, known for being decorated with sculptures of babies, crawling up and down. If you enjoy architecture, check the views from the Dancing house - a much admired deconstructivist gem of Prague.

4 must-see statues

Franz Kafka's Head → The 10m-tall kinetic sculpture is an artwork by the famous Czech sculptor David Černý. This bust of a Prague-born writer, Franz Kafka, is made of 42 independently rotating layers. Their movement creates an interesting performance which might or might not refer to The Metamorphosis story by Kafka. The sculpture is a popular sight in Prague and has been since 2014 when it was installed.

Man Hanging Out → Come and see this well-known statue of Sigmund Freud hanging by one hand, made by David Černý, with your own eyes. But remember, you have to look high up to see it. When this statue was "erected", people thought it was a real man trying to commit suicide and many of them reported it to the police. It indeed is one of the most striking artworks in the city.

Quo Vadis → This bronze sculpture depicting a Trabant car on four legs was also created by sculptor David Černý. It symbolizes the east Germans' massive emigration to West Germany. If translated from Latin, the name means "Where are you going?".

Memorial to the Victims of Communism → When heading to Petrin Hill, don't forget to stop by to see several statues remembering the victims of the Communist era. Notice the metal strip in the middle of the stairs, displaying how many people had suffered during this regime. Installed in 2002, these sculptures depict the physical pain and emotional distress of the victims of the communist regime.

Written by SV