Unknown Czech Republic.

Everything you want to know about the Czech Republic, but would never know.

Part one.

"Czech Paradise"

What do we know about the Czech Republic? Probably only the fact that this is no longer Czechoslovakia, that they brew good beer here, make good shoes, and that in Karlovy Vary they treat everything, including fatty wallets. Arriving here, tourists are usually surprised to learn that there are beautiful castles in the Czech Republic. Security question: how many castles are there in the Czech Republic? There is no exact answer, since the concept of “castle” is interpreted by local residents a little differently than here. For us, a castle is something inaccessible, high walls, a drawbridge, gloomy casemates and loopholes. In fact, castles can be hunting, military, or simply country residences of rich and high-born persons, dachas, in other words. Ignorance plays a cruel joke on tourists: having arrived at the place that the guidebook proudly calls “Konopishte Castle,” half of the group, mostly the male half, lets out a sad sigh of disappointment. What a castle this is! So, a beautiful building on the mountain. That is, from the outside it is of little interest, the main thing is concentrated inside, such as paintings, interiors, trophies, etc. So, due to the absence of the word “hunting” in the name, there is a misunderstanding.

First of all, some statistics. On the territory of the Czech Republic there are more than one and a half thousand military castles and their ruins. Accordingly, the more “ruined” the ruins are, the fewer tourists come there. Although there is something magical in the ruins. I really want to know who destroyed this castle and why.

Let's turn to a little-known area among foreign tourists in the north of the Czech Republic, which is called the Czech Paradise. How can tourists lie down there? Firstly, stunning natural monuments, such as the Prahov Rocks, the rock city of Hruba Skala, the Bethlehem Rocks, the Vranovskaya Ridge and others. "Rock City" is, in fact, a unique natural formation. In fact, these are huge sandstone rocks in which wind and water have created passages over centuries. The result is real natural labyrinths. If the reader remembers old Czechoslovak children's films, they were often filmed against the backdrop of similar labyrinths. We were still wondering where the socialist Czechs found so much money for such decorations? But no, all this is a natural heritage. In fact, the spectacle is fantastic! You fully feel all your insignificance, your true size and, in general, the frailty of your existence. In some rock cities there are lakes located above (!) ground level, that is, above you.

Secondly, in this small area there are about two dozen castles, including real battle, hunting and others. Another interesting phenomenon, as the Czechs call it, is a “rock castle”. This is a castle, most of the external fortifications and foundations of which are rock. Or rather, the castle is part of the rock. Or is the rock part of it? Hard to tell. The main thing is that they are inseparable. A classic example is Valechov Castle. It is placed on a small squat rock, similar to a loaf of bread. Huge sandstone boulders are scattered around the main building, connected by natural and artificial walls. This is an outer defensive circle created by nature itself, walls and bastions, outposts and towers. Inside the castle, tourists who do not suffer from claustrophobia will be led through tunnels specially cut into the rock to underground storerooms and casemates. There is a lot of pleasure, but, I repeat, people with a delicate psyche are better off not going into the underground corridors. Psychologically, the rock really presses very hard. I was there myself, I confirm.

Another attraction is Trosky Castle. Two high cliffs, like fangs, suddenly emerge from the thicket. At the top of each there is a tower. It is completely incomprehensible how in the 11th and 12th centuries, without special devices, builders managed to build towers so high. From above there is a view of incredible, fabulous beauty.

There is no point in talking about the beauties of the Czech Paradise, there is simply not enough space and time. You need to come there and taste the beauty of the local nature, along with ancient castles and so on. Honestly, no worse than the classic routes.

Part two.

Moravia is a different country.

If a resident of Moravia is called a Czech, he will be terribly offended. "We are Moravians!" - they proudly declare. And indeed, although there is no administrative division into two regions, these two ethnic groups are different. To begin with, they simply openly dislike each other. The Czechs consider the inhabitants of Moravia “villages”, rude people and drunkards, and they are also in debt they don’t stay, calling their neighbors “metropolitan things”, boring, skeletal and callous.

Without delving into the linguistic jungle, we can say that the differences in languages ​​are minimal, although both believe that they speak different languages. In fact, the Moravian dialect is characterized by a great influence on it of the Slovak and, partly, Polish languages. The main difference between Czech and Moravian is the pronunciation of some words and the use of different endings. For example, in the instrumental case, Moravians often use “-om” instead of the ending “-em”. But it's not that important. The main difference between the neighbors lies in some geographical and cultural traditions. The main difference, in any case, immediately catches the eye, is the almost complete rejection of beer. Moravians believe that wine is the most correct drink. In the central and southern part of Moravia, the climate really allows for the cultivation of good grape varieties. And the wine, as they say, flows like a river. According to information received "first hand", i.e. from those people who have visited this region, the wine is of remarkable quality, other varieties are no worse than French ones.

Typically, Moravians while away their evenings in dark basements called “wine cellars.” There you can drink excellent wine at very low prices, and the owner of the establishment will definitely come up, ask if you like the wine, and, having received a positive answer in most cases, will tell you why his wines are the best in the area or in the country in general. Often in such cellars no food is served, only an appetizer to accompany the wine. This is either bread with lard and onions, sausages, salty sticks or chips, there can be smoked meats and homemade pickles, cucumbers and so on. However, homemade marinades should be treated with caution, since they are unusual for Russian tastes; too much vinegar is added to the marinade. Therefore, it is better not to experiment. The best option, which, unfortunately, can be found less and less, is the so-called “classic” wine cellars. Most often these are family establishments, an ordinary cellar full of homemade pickles and wines, where those who want to go are locked up for the whole weekend for little money. That is, you can try yourself in the role of Athos, locked in the cellar by the owner of the inn. The cellar has everything your heart desires: again, salted and smoked meats of all kinds, wine, if desired, bread and fresh vegetables can be served through the dormer window. But until the term of “imprisonment” expires, no one will be allowed out.

In addition to wine, Moravians also produce another well-known drink, slivovitz, or, in other words, plum moonshine. How many masters - so many recipes. Some people add vanilla, others cinnamon or coriander. They make it not only from plums, there is pear, apple (like Calvados) and in general, except that they are not made from stools. The government turns a blind eye to this, which is quite surprising for former citizens of the Soviet Union who remember the anti-alcohol campaign of the late eighties.

If you forget for a moment all the dark sides of Moravian hospitality, such as a sore head in the morning and attacks of gastritis and ulcers in the afternoon, there are many cultural and historical attractions in the area. First of all, we will be interested in the village of Slavkov near Brno. With what? First of all, because the old name of this village is Austerlitz. Yes, the very place where in 1805 the Russian and Austrian armies suffered a crushing defeat from Napoleon. More than 20 thousand Russian soldiers lie in this land. The battlefield itself is worth a quick tour by car or excursion bus, since it is huge and all the sights (the central artillery position of the French - Santon Hill, the old post office - the inn where Napoleon spent several hours resting, Zhuran - the place from where the emperor watched during the course of the battle and the so-called Tomb of Peace - the central monument of the complex, a museum and a souvenir shop) are scattered at a great distance from each other. If you really want, you can find the place, at least imagine, where the wounded Prince Andrei lay and looked at the sky. But the most interesting thing happens every year on December 2nd. The local military history club, with the participation of foreign partners from France, Austria, Germany, England and Russia, is reconstructing the Battle of Austerlitz, or as it is also called the Battle of the Three Emperors. Shots, gunpowder smoke, all the participants in costumes of that distant era, on horseback, lots of fun.

In addition to this noteworthy attraction, you can find many more interesting things in Moravia. In particular, many castles, fortresses and ruins. Several stunning cities such as Mikulov, Znojmo, Brno, Blansko and many more.

Mikulov and Znojmo are just two of the many beautiful towns in South Moravia, and the first one mentioned is the best place to start exploring this region. Mikulov is located only 3-4 kilometers from the border with Austria. This is a small, cozy town, famous throughout the Czech Republic for its wine. Southern Moravia is mostly flat, with gentle slopes covered with grapes. The city itself is located on an unexpected hill. The dominant feature of the city is, as usual, the castle. This fortress, rebuilt many times, is a mixture of all possible styles, from late pseudo-Gothic to Rococo, Baroque and even Art Nouveau. The main charm of the building is the clearly defined “edges of centuries”, that is, everyone, even a particularly inexperienced person in architecture, is able to distinguish those places where gloomy Gothic coexists with playful Baroque. From the gently sloping rampart and the remains of the ancient wall there is an impeccable view of the European-style, calm and clean, slightly hilly valley. Over the nearest hill is Austria. It's hard to believe, but it's true.

Just fifty-five kilometers to the west is a city of a completely different kind. And if Mikulov is a slightly sad place, as if it is the last outpost in the south of the Czech lands, and further, beyond the hills, unknown and inhospitable lands begin, then the city of Znojmo is downright a Mecca for cheerful and reckless people. The city itself is also beautiful - a miniature medieval center, an unexpected abyss just outside the outskirts (the castle of the city of Znojmo is serious, military, its history is full of battles) nothing more than the natural defense of the city from the north, an impregnable gorge. The city is full of museums, galleries, souvenir shops and millet squashes, bodegas and beer gardens. There are also a couple of good nightclubs and bars.

Moving further to the west, you cannot miss the area of ​​​​the Vranovsky reservoir. And you should start with the Vranov nad Dyji castle. Indeed, the name is difficult to pronounce, but the castle itself is very good. His story is quite sad. At one time it was one of the most powerful fortresses, unfortunately, captured in the 17th century by the Swedes, then recaptured by the Habsburgs and in the 18th it was rebuilt as the summer residence of one of the local nobles. Traces of the former military past can still be seen if you look closely at the walls. And on the banks of the Vranovsky reservoir, summer vacation is just a dream. There are no busy highways (and there are almost no roads, just paths to each villa), no big cities in the area, only sun, air and water. Well, and, of course, the magnificent nature of South Moravia. In the western part of the reservoir, it is also worth mentioning the Bytov castle and the ruins of the Kornstein fortress located there. These three castles, plus Freistein and Uhercice, located just to the south, near the border with Austria, formed a reliable defense for Moravia, which was once fighting for independence, from threats from the south. All castles date from the 9th to the 13th centuries.

Today, only the lazy don’t want to see Prague. This is one of the most beautiful cities in Europe, the capital of the Czech Republic, one of the three most popular tourist destinations along with Rome and Paris. According to statistics, over 3 million tourists from all over the world visit Prague every year. At the same time, it turns out that there are many attractions in the city that are not well known to the general public. These include Petřín Hill, which is associated with mystical stories and pagan legends. For Russian-speaking tourists Petřín Hill is better known as Petřín Hill. Moreover, it is immortalized in literature by the Russian poetess Marina Tsvetaeva, who mentions it in “The Poem of the Mountain.”

Hill Petrin, whose height exceeds 300 meters, is perhaps the most famous hill in Prague. In pre-Christian times, Petřín, which is located on the left bank of the Vltava, was a ritual place where pagans performed rituals in honor of their supreme god Perun (perhaps this is where the name of the hill came from). One of the local legends (quite creepy) says that under the canopy of centuries-old linden trees, human sacrifices took place on this hill! On a sacrificial altar made of stone, the most beautiful and young girls were allegedly burned for the glory of Perun. It is no longer possible to know whether this is true or fiction, but the fact that on the hill already in the foreseeable past, people living nearby, half-Christian, half-pagan, periodically lit a huge fire at night, is the absolute truth. At the direction of Boleslav Pobozhny, the pagan place was wiped off the face of the earth, and a small church of St. Wavrenica was erected not far away. However, they say that to this day, in the place where the sacrificial altar was once located, a fire breaks out by itself, in which the faces of long-dead people and even gods can be discerned. The most incredible thing is that after the fire dies out, not a trace remains of it, as if nothing had happened. During the time of Charles IV, the famous Wall of Hunger was built on the hill, which has survived to this day.

Today Petřín Hill a favorite place for walks for city residents and, especially, young couples. There is a lot of entertainment there for children too. For example, the amazing labyrinth of Mirrors. This is a whole mirror complex, one room of which is built from ordinary mirrors in such a way that an amazing world is created around the person caught in it, in which there is no way forward or back. In another room - the traditional Laughter Room - there are distorting mirrors. Children and adults can ride along the paths of Petřín Hill on ponies and horses. Another, but more modern attraction of the hill is Petřín observation tower, which is the Eiffel Tower, but in miniature. Its height is only sixty meters. There is also a beautiful rose garden on Petřín, which has over 100 varieties and species of roses and rose bushes. You can get to Petřín Hill (Petřín Hill) by public transport: either by regular tram or by cable car.

So, you are in Prague. Like all tourists, they saw the astronomical clock, Prague Castle, a whole bunch of cathedrals and everything else from the “List of Places to Visit” listed in the guide to the Czech capital. You even bought a refrigerator magnet with a Czech Orloj. But that's not all Prague has to offer, is it? There must be something more to Europe's capital of weirdness. And of course there is! We offer the top 10 things to do in Prague, besides visiting the standard attractions.

1. Nuclear bunker tour

If you can only do one thing in Prague, do this! You may not like organized tours, but visiting a nuclear bunker on your own is impossible. Therefore, you will have to pay for the tour. Believe me, you won't regret it! Perhaps a visit to this museum will be the most memorable part of your trip.

The former Soviet bunker, created during the Cold War, is located 5 floors underground. It is stuffed with appropriate paraphernalia, including gas masks, medical kits and uniforms. The atmosphere of violence and general paranoia is recreated so vividly that it gives you goosebumps.

Having digested the available information, you can fool around a little, trying on gas masks and taking pictures with weapons. If after this the museum doesn’t bore you worse than a bitter radish, you can return there later to drink a couple of glasses. In the evening the bunker turns into a nightclub and it's quite a fun place.

2. Hot chocolate at Kafíčko

Imagine a piece of melted, smooth, thick dark chocolate. Multiply your feelings by 100 and you will get a rough idea of ​​what the hot chocolate at Kafíčko tastes like. It is so thick that you don’t drink it, but eat it with a spoon. The cafe itself is located on a quiet street not far from the Kafka Museum. Here you will be served not only the best hot chocolate in the world, but also excellent coffee, mulled wine, honey cake and a dozen other desserts.

3. Letensky Gardens

Many panoramic photographs were taken of Paris from the Eiffel Tower and Dubai from the Burj Khalifa skyscraper. Given the average tourist's obsession with panoramic views, it is surprising that Letenské sady is rarely mentioned in Prague guidebooks.

The Letensky (Air) Gardens are built on a hill, and climbing there will take some time. The park is magnificent at any time of the year. In summer you can sit in the beer garden, in autumn you can trample fallen leaves, and in winter you can throw snowballs at your friends. But what makes it truly special is the stunning view from here of the Vltava River and city bridges. If you are into photography, then this is the first place to visit in the Czech capital. Come before sunset, find the perfect spot from which you can see all of Prague, and wait for the sun to set to experience the magic...

In the Air Gardens you can also see the huge Metronome, the Brussels and Hanavian pavilions and ride on the oldest carousel in Europe, riding a wooden horse covered with the skin of real animals.

4. Shoe monument

Yes, you read that right. There is a monument to old shoes in Prague. What's even more interesting is that it replaced the largest statue of Stalin in the world, which stood here from 1955 to 1962. This manifestation of a peculiar subculture even has its own name - shufiti (“shoe graffiti”, from shoes + graffiti). It all started with skateboarders who fell in love with skating in these places. They were the ones who came up with the idea of ​​throwing used shoes onto the wires.
Today, hundreds of old sneakers, boots, sneakers, boots and ski boots are swaying above the Czech capital next to the Metronome. What is this - fun entertainment or a protest against hegemony? Who knows... They say that in this way Czech youth encourages us to part with our past with a laugh.

As you already understand, the same Leten Gardens serve as the home for this treasure - the monument is located at the top of the stairs leading to the park.

5. Lennon Wall

If you're a Beatles fan, it's worth traversing the labyrinth of cobbled streets to reach the graffiti-covered wall dedicated to John Lennon. However, it's not all about music. In the past, it was a symbol of protest by Czech youth against the communist regime of Gustav Husak, which, among other things, banned pop music. Finding political slogans in the intertwining graffiti is difficult, but this makes the inspection even more interesting.

6. Pork on Old Town Square

Well, what would a trip be without a little street food? We recommend trying roast pork from one of the merchants on Old Town Square. Czech cuisine is traditionally famous for pork and beef, and they undoubtedly know how to cook meat deliciously. It's inexpensive and invigorating, so you'll definitely come back here again.

7. Trdelnik

Don't stop there! After the pork you need to eat dessert. Of course you will.

We suggest switching to waffles and choosing the barely pronounceable trdelník from the vendors on Old Town or Wenceslas Square. Trdelnik is a traditional Czech pastry made from freshly grilled dough and topped with sugar and ground walnuts. Crispy twisted buns literally melt in your mouth. If you are not very hungry or are traveling with a small child, you can even play with the trdelnik, gradually unwinding it.

8. Sculptures by David Czerny

David Cerny is a contemporary Czech sculptor notorious for his provocative works. His unusual sculptures may not be as elaborate, but they certainly make an impression.
Three most popular creations:

• Two male figures urinating in a bathtub shaped like a map of the Czech Republic at the Franz Kafka Museum.
• Three giant babies guarding the entrance to the Kampa Museum.
• 10 huge and sinister babies crawling up the Žižkov TV Tower.

9. Dancing House

The Ginger and Fred building, or the Dancing House, as you know, is an excellent example of the architectural style that we usually call deconstructivism. It is of great significance because it was built on the site of a residential building destroyed during an American bombing in 1945. It was decided to revive the building at the request of President Vaclav Havel, whose family lived in the neighboring house. The project was developed by three architects - from Serbia, Canada and the Czech Republic. They created a kind of monument to dance. The fact is that the inspiration for the architects was the legendary Hollywood duo of tap dancers - Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers. Residents of the city were outraged by such an extravagant project, but the building, built in the 90s of the last century, instantly became a true pearl of the Czech capital.

10. Eat at Ferdinand's

If you're wondering where to eat in Prague, head to Ferdinand in the Lesser Town area. Try their beer and Czech goulash - essentially a beef stew cooked with paprika and served with bread dumplings. The goulash is soft and flavorful, and the dumplings are as fluffy as can be. In addition, the beer hall has an amazing atmosphere that preserves the true Prague spirit. Please note that "Ferdinand" is located at Karmelitska, 18 - and do not confuse it with the eatery of the same name on Opletalova Street (pictured above), otherwise you will be disappointed.

Budget doesn't mean boring. Prague is replete with attractions that you can explore completely free of charge. Some corners deserve attention, others are simply beautiful, and others awaken a person’s imagination. We start our top 15 with the most famous places in Prague that everyone dreams of visiting.

Read in this article

The most famous places

Prague Castle

On the left bank of the Vltava lies one of the oldest fortresses on the planet, in which emperors, kings and other rulers of the Czech land periodically settled. Archaeologists claim that the fortress arose in the ninth century and has been continuously expanded since then. Now the fortress is a city in miniature, within which there are many smaller attractions:

• Teresian Palace;
• Chapel of the Holy Cross;
• Royal Garden;
• Golden Lane;
• St. Vitus Cathedral;
• Singing fountain.

Unfortunately, visiting the most iconic places of Prague Castle requires a fee. If you wander around the City on your own, you risk spending a lot of money. A comprehensive excursion costs 350-400 crowns, visiting individual attractions ranges from 50-200 crowns (they will let you into the castle for 350). You can save money by booking a tour of Prague or a visit to Prague Castle with transfer. The address of the Castle is: 119 08 Prague 1 (can be reached by metro line A).

dancing House

Among the places worth visiting in Prague, do not forget to mention the Dancing House. This building is made in the style of deconstructivism and is a couple of “dancing” high-rise buildings, inside of which offices are located. The last floor of the Drunken House (as the building is called by locals) is occupied by an expensive French restaurant, and even higher is an observation deck, which can be accessed after 16.00.

Address of the Drunk House: Rašínovo nábřeží 1981/80. You can visit the observation deck for free, but it’s better not to visit the restaurant - leave all your savings there. From Wenceslas Square you can get to the house by tram, but it will be cheaper to walk in the direction of Vysehrad from the Charles Bridge.

The Charles Bridge

It is impossible to imagine the capital of the Czech Republic without this historical monument. Charles Bridge has always been the most beautiful place in Prague, so a walk along it is a must. The bridge spans the Vltava and connects Stare Mesto with Mala Strana. For five hundred meters you can admire medieval sculptures and ancient Prague landscapes.

Attraction address: Karlův most, 110 00 Praha 1. Admission is free - this is the main advantage of the Bridge. The downside is that during the day there are hordes of tourists roaming around here. We recommend a night walk or watching the sunrise on the Charles Bridge.

Prague is cold in the winter, so plan to visit the Bridge in the summer or fall.

Old Town Square

Having crossed the Charles Bridge, you find yourself in Stare Mesto. Here lies the vast Old Town Square - quite an interesting place in Prague. This is the historical heart of the city, where you can wander for free and for a very long time. A whole web of winding ancient streets scatters in all directions from the square. Worth visiting in the area:

• bar-casino on Zenklova street;
• café-bar Archa;
• Church of St. Nicholas;
• Golts-Kinsky Palace;
• Prague meridian;
• Tyn Temple;
• Prague Astronomical Clock (where entire puppet shows are performed).

Square address: Staromestske namesti, Praha, Česko. Charles Bridge is a 10-minute walk from here, so you can easily walk there. The square is beautiful in any season - you can also come in winter.

Tired of moving around, stop by a local cafe and try trdelnik. This is a Czech bun.

St. Vitus Cathedral

This is not just one of the most famous Prague places, but also the permanent abode of the local archbishop. The Catholic Cathedral makes an indelible impression - something mystical emanates from it. By paying 100-350 crowns, you can get inside and appreciate the splendor there. Here are the most interesting points of the cultural program:

• evil gargoyles and chimeras;
• "Golden Gate";
• stained glass;
• chapels and chapels;
• cathedral library;
• bell "Sigmund"
• spiral staircase (298 steps).

Address: Hrad III. Nádvoří. You can go through the Malostranska metro station, but then you will have to change to a tram (numbers 22 and 23 are suitable). For a tram ticket you will pay about 35 CZK.

What you can see inexpensively

Here we have grouped the most beautiful places in Prague, which are cheap to visit or cost nothing at all. You will probably have to spend money on metro, tram and bus tickets. The cost of a one-day ticket for an adult passenger ranges from 55-110 CZK. A three-day “rider” (that’s “ticket” in Czech) will empty your wallet by 310 CZK.

Charles Street

A beautiful medieval street connecting Malaya and Krzhizovnica squares - both of them are located near Charles Bridge. Cobblestone streets and many iconic buildings are the key selling points of this area. Be sure to visit the building “At the Stone Mermaid” - legend says that its owner showed a mermaid living in a barrel for money.

Street coordinates: Karlova 110 00 Praha 1. Trams No. 17, 18, 53 go here. It is better to get there on foot from the Bridge. In house No. 3 there is the Aurus Hotel, but spending the night here is quite expensive - about 125-200 euros.

Prague Venice

Kampa Island is washed by the waters of the Vltava and the Certovka stream - locals call this amazing place the Venice of Prague. The attraction has a mystical significance - the infamous House of the Seven Devils once stood on the stream.

Island address: Kampa, Praha 1. For an additional fee you can ride a boat (although it does not look like a gondola). If you want to save money and see more sights, book a “Mystical Prague” excursion. The pleasure will cost 130 euros. You can go down the stairs to the island after taking the tram to the Hellichova stop.

Vysehrad Castle

The age of this fortress has exceeded a thousand years - Vysehrad is considered one of the best places in Prague. Once on the territory of the fortress, visit the following attractions:

• Visegrad Cemetery;
• Basilica;
• Casemates;
• Gallery;
• Gothic Dungeon;
• Brick gate.

Vysehrad is especially beautiful in winter - try to take winter photographs of the fortress, they will become a true decoration of your collection. Entrance to the basilica costs 30 crowns, but children are allowed in for free. You will also have to pay for the pleasure of visiting the Casemates, but it is a worthwhile investment.

Fortress address: Vyšehrad, Prague 2. You will have to go by metro to the Vyšehrad station, by tram to Ostrčilovo náměstí.

Beer house with trains

If you not only love beer, but also want to drink this drink with imagination, take a look at the Vytopna beer hall, nestled on Wenceslas Square. This very unusual place belongs to a rare type of beer depot.

Miniature rails are laid between the tables of the pub. You order a glass of beer - it is sent on trains straight to your table. The spectacle fascinates not only adults, but also children.

Address of the establishment: Václavské náměstí 802/56. You can get here for free, but you have to pay for the beer.

The beer hall is tight with empty seats. Book your table in advance.

Mystical rotunda

This building is considered one of the oldest buildings in the city, but few have heard of it. The Rotunda of the Holy Cross is located near Charles Bridge - on a street that runs parallel to the embankment. This is a Romanesque church, overgrown with numerous legends. One of them says that there used to be a pond on the site of the church - a Christian girl drowned there, having changed her faith against her parents’ will.

The second legend claims that countless treasures are hidden under the round structure. The building has been reconstructed several times, and a certain mystical spirit really hovers in its surroundings. The rotunda is located in Old Prague, at the intersection of Konvitska and Karolina Svetle streets. Services, by the way, are still held here today. The exact address of the church is: Karolíny Světlé 14. By tram you need to go to the “Národní divadlo” stop. If you prefer the metro, the Můstek station is located nearby.

The strangest sights

Now fasten your seat belts - we’ve come to the top five unusual places in the Czech capital. Actually, Prague has a lot of quaint museums and other strange corners:

• Museum of Communism;
• Residential building from Znamení Čtyř;
• "Black Light Theatre";
• Soviet tank;
• A car with legs;
• Statue of Wenceslas.

The list can be supplemented with a dozen more items. The downside to these wonderful monuments is that you have to pay to visit them. Below are examples of more than just mysterious Prague attractions - a tour of these points (with the exception of one museum) will hardly empty your pockets.

Hanging Man

Imagine a stone man hanging over your head - you must agree, it’s a very exotic sight. A man was suspended from a steel mast by David Černý, a well-known provocateur sculptor in the Czech Republic. Some passers-by call firefighters and police, thinking that a citizen is in trouble. Gusova Street turned into an arena for shocking experimental artist.

The address of the “gallows”: Betlémské náměstí 350/7. You can get here by trams No. 53, 17 and 18, going through the Karlovy lázně stop. When planning to take the metro, look for the Můstek station on the map. You can contemplate the man standing tall in the air for free. At the same time, wander along the picturesque Gusovaya Street.

Žižkov Tower

The Prague TV Tower is distinguished not only by its bizarre shape, but also by the black men crawling along the steep walls. In the capital of the Czech Republic, this is the tallest building, reaching as much as 216 meters. Initially, the building was untouched by vice, but then the provocateur Cherny, already familiar to us, had a hand in it. It was thanks to him that little men appeared.

The best observation platforms are attached to the façade of the Žižkov TV Tower. Below you will lie a breathtaking urban landscape, but you will have to pay 150 crowns for it. The tower is located at Mahlerovy sady 2699/1. The Prague residents themselves tell a lot of horror stories about the TV tower. Here are the main reasons why townspeople can’t stomach this place:

1. Unusual shape. This is not baroque or classical - it’s not clear at all. The tower breaks out stylistically from the landscape of medieval Prague. You will probably be advised to explore the city from here - then the TV tower itself will not be visible.
2. Jewish bones. Old-timers claim that the tower was erected on the site of a Jewish cemetery, so the very existence of the object is sacrilege.
3. High ticket prices. Agree, 150 CZK for an observation deck is a little expensive. The telescope on the tower is paid, and the prices in the restaurant are astronomical. If you want to save money, limit yourself to an external inspection of the attraction.

At night, this attraction looks creepy, so it’s better to go without children. The embryo is attached to the wall of “Na Zábradlí” - a Prague theater located at Anenské náměstí 209/5. You can view this architectural delight for free.

As you may have guessed, the embryo is another creation of David Cherny. The theater received a strange “gift” just in time for its fiftieth anniversary. Cashiers and cloakroom attendants are indignant, but there is no end to tourists.

Come to the embryo at night - it glows with red light. In combination with yellow theater windows it looks unique.

Sex Machine Museum



Perhaps this corner is one of the most provocative objects in modern Prague. Museum address: Melantrichova 18, Prague 1. To get here, you need to get to Wenceslas Square and move towards the Old Town Square. The museum is housed in a three-story building. After paying 250 crowns, you immediately find yourself in a chair testing visitors for sexuality. The highlight of the exhibition is mechanical sexual units. But there are also plenty of other interesting things:

• corsets;
• underwear;
• vintage clothing;
• metal chastity belts;
• anti-masturbation machines;
• medieval contraceptives.

Some units resemble factory machines. Each mechanism has accompanying instructions, photographs and diagrams. Be sure to visit the erotic cinema hall - you will learn a lot of interesting things about the carnal pleasures of our ancestors.

The Staroměstská metro station and the tram stop of the same name are located nearby. The museum is open from ten in the morning to eleven in the evening.

John Lennon Wall

It is better to visit this site in the summer - mighty tree crowns hang over the wall, creating an atmosphere of sun, kindness and general pacifism. The object is located on Velkoprzevorskaya Square in Mala Strana. The wall is decorated with images of Lennon himself, views of a yellow submarine, peace signs and numerous quotes from the cultural heritage of the shot Beatle.

The authorities have repeatedly tried to “restore order” and catch the graffiti artists decorating the monument with inscriptions. But soon the mayor's office realized that the Wall had become one of the symbols of the city. The easiest way to get to the Mecca of Beatlemaniacs is by metro - to do this you need to take a ride to the Malostranska station.

All 15 objects that we described above are marked for your convenience on the Prague map. Form your “must-see”, save money and go to the Czech Republic for impressions. Bon Voyage!

Prague is rightfully the most popular tourist city in Europe. Numerous travelers are attracted here by the indescribable atmosphere of the Middle Ages and the numerous sights of Prague, surrounded by legends. You can come here again and again, but even then you won’t be able to explore all the interesting monuments and places. This is the city that discovers something new every time. Prague has everything a tourist needs, from excellent Czech cuisine and the best beer in the world, to numerous festivals and celebrations that take place in city squares. According to statistics, about 6 million tourists arrive here every year. In this article I will tell you about what attracts such a huge number of people to the capital of the Czech Republic. So let's begin our tour of the most prominent sights of the city.

Prague Castle

Numerous tourists associate Prague with the historical complex of buildings in the city center. Due to its colossal size, Prague Castle was included in the Guinness Book of Records. The entire complex is included in the UNESCO list of protected world heritage sites. Prague Castle includes palaces, cathedrals, museums and many other objects. The Czech government still holds its meetings here. Archaeological excavations are being carried out on the territory of the complex, thanks to which many interesting discoveries have been made. It is not for nothing that Prague residents call this place a city within a city. For the Czechs, Prague Castle is associated with statehood and is its key pillar.

Franz Kafka Museum

This landmark of Prague will be of interest not only to admirers of the work of Franz Kafka, but also to ordinary tourists due to its unusual design and sculptures. The history of the creation of the Franz Kafka Museum, which began with an exhibition organized in Barcelona, ​​is also interesting. She turned out to be so popular that she moved to New York and then returned to her permanent residence in Prague. A historical building was allocated for the museum, where today an exhibition about the life and work of the famous philosopher is displayed. As soon as you enter the museum courtyard, immediately pay attention to the unusual sculptural composition with peeing figures. It becomes clear that visiting the museum will be interesting...

Tyn Cathedral

This majestic Gothic cathedral is located on Old Town Square. Its history dates back to the 14th century, but construction took almost two centuries. Not only the exterior of the Tyn Cathedral is interesting, but also what is inside. The remains of important personalities in the history of Prague are buried under several dozen altars. You can recognize this cathedral from afar by its 80-meter spiers, towering above the rest of the buildings in the city center. Don't miss the chance to visit this place with a guided tour, which takes place at any time of the year.

Museum of Alchemy and Magic

There is an atmosphere of mysticism and mystery around Prague, so it is not surprising that there is a museum of alchemists and magicians here. This is a very popular place that is undeservedly ignored by some tourists. And even though the Alchemists Museum is not on the list of public landmarks, it will be very interesting to anyone who wants to get to know the atmosphere of the Middle Ages better. The architectural structure in which the museum is located is also noteworthy. This house is considered one of the oldest in Prague, the first mention of which was back in the 900s. When visiting Prague attractions, be sure to include this place in your itinerary.

Wenceslas Square Prague

National Museum in Prague

The neo-Renaissance building of the National Museum in Prague was designed by the outstanding architect D. Schulz. This is a great place to visit if you want to learn more about the history of the Czech Republic. The exhibition includes many collections with historical exhibits, as well as coins, medals, sculptures and weapons. The museum also houses a library with collections of rare books. The main building of the museum is a work of architecture, and its facade is in no way inferior to medieval castles and palaces.

Sights of Hradčany

Among the most famous tourist spots in Prague, it is worth mentioning the Hradcany district in the west. Hradcany was founded to accommodate palace servants, but the household premises were destroyed by fire, and in their place magnificent palaces and villas of wealthy Prague residents appeared. Over the centuries, Hradcany has become strongly associated with elite residence. Many religious buildings appeared here, as well as the Old Town Hall along with other attractions of Prague.

Monument to the Victims of Communism

The Monument to the Victims of Communism is one of the most modern in Prague. It was created in 2002 by the architect Zubek. According to his idea, the monument depicts the hardships of life of political prisoners during the period of communist rule in the Czech Republic. The memorial includes 7 sculptures going down the stairs. Each of them has some kind of defect, which intensifies as it descends.

Žižkov TV Tower

The Žižkov TV Tower is visible far beyond Prague. This is a working television tower several hundred meters high. Such an unusual landmark of the Czech capital caused a lot of controversy among architectural critics. Some consider it a masterpiece of engineering, while others call it a deformity on the body of a magnificent city. However, it is a very popular tourist destination. People come here for the observation deck at an altitude of 93 meters, an excellent restaurant with panoramic windows, and a hotel where you can book a room for several days.

Powder Tower

The Powder Tower is unfairly missing from many lists of Prague landmarks. This Gothic structure once served as the main city gate, and in the eighteenth century housed a gunpowder magazine. Today the gate serves as the entrance to the Old Town and also houses a museum with a small exhibition of photographs and an observation terrace. The facade of the tower is a clear example of the harsh architecture of the Middle Ages. Most tourists pass through the gate and do not linger at the tower, heading towards the heart of Old Prague. But I recommend that you explore the Powder Tower in more detail.

Zlata Street

The street-museum, unique within Europe, is located on the territory of Prague Castle. There are small houses with fairy-tale figures here. In the sixteenth century, numerous jewelers and minters of the Czech treasury worked in this area, which is why the street got its name. It's no wonder that there are many legends surrounding Golden Lane. The most common of them talks about alchemists who could turn any other materials into gold. People lived here until the Second World War, after which the street became a museum and a popular tourist attraction in Prague.

Vinarna Chertovka

Continuing the theme of Prague streets, it is definitely worth mentioning Vinarna Certovka. This is the narrowest street in Prague, where it is unlikely that several people will pass each other. Its width reaches only 70 centimeters. For this, a unique solution was invented - to install a special traffic light, which indicates the possibility of passage in one direction or another. You probably have a question, where did the name of the street come from? Everything is quite simple - Vinarna Chertovka was named after the winery located nearby.

Jewish Quarter

The Jewish Quarter of Prague contains a number of unique attractions, including the old Jewish cemetery. The history of this place, founded on the site of an 11th century Jewish ghetto, is also interesting. Now it is an elite place of residence in the city center, although once the poorest segments of the population lived in a densely populated area. During a tour of the Jewish Quarter, your guide will certainly tell you the legend of the Golem - one of the most popular Prague stories for tourists.

I hope you enjoyed this virtual tour of Prague. There is a separate story about each of these places on the pages of LifeGlobe, which will help you plan your trip and visit interesting landmarks in Prague.