ParadouTravel

Prague

Prague – a city I will definitely return to. The people of Prague have done a wonderful job of resurrecting their city to its pre-Communist splendor. Much remains to be done, but the transformation thus far is truly a marvel. The city is alive - commercially and culturally. There is music everywhere, every church, every open space has someone playing some instrument. The restaurants, cafés, and bars are constantly filled with a mix of locals and tourists. Many of the restaurants (two I single out below) are serving truly innovative cuisine that would win them star reviews anywhere. The city is vibrant, beautiful and friendly. It is a wonderful place to visit.

There are 6 primary areas of interest to travelers – Staré Mĕsto (Old Town), Josefov (The Jewish Quarter), Hradèany (Prague Castle), Malá Strana (Little Quarter), Nové Mĕsto (New Town), and Vinohrady. Alas on this trip I only had 3 days in Prague and didn’t have a chance to explore all of them. That’s why I’m coming back.

Staré Mĕsto – Winding alleys, galleries, passageways filled with artisans selling their wares. This area, a maze of tiny streets, is a wonderful place to get lost. From Charles Bridge (built in 1357) to Old Town Square, this historic heart of the city is bursting with a panoply of styles. From Roman cellars and dark Gothic towers to Renaissance houses and exuberant baroque façades, Staré Mĕsto truly gives you a sense Prague’s historic significance.

Josefov – Six synagogues, the cemetery and the Jewish Town Hall are the only relics of the eventful, 1000year old history of what was one of Europe’s most important Jewish communities. Some of the more storied Talmudic scholars called Prague home, but now nothing remains of the labyrinthine old Ghetto of courtyards and teeming alleyways destroyed at the end of the 19th century. The synagogues, cemetery and Jewish Town Hall now comprise the National Jewish Museum. The area has also become one of the more fashionable neighborhoods in Prague. Stroll the Paøížská, but don’t let the boutiques and trendy cafés distract you from the Renaissance, baroque and Art Nouveau façades lining the streets.

Hradèany – Perched on the side of a hill overlooking Prague, the imposing Castle, now the seat of the Czech government, is actually a group of buildings. Ever since its construction in the 9th century, it has been the seat of Bohemian power. Containing a Romanesque royal palace, Renaissance gardens, a Gothic Cathedral, and baroque churches it provides a wonderful take on centuries of history and architecture.

Malá Strana – Sitting at the base of the hill below the Castle on the banks of the Vltava, this neighborhood of red roofs, lush gardens and vineyards has been relatively untouched since the 18th century. Wandering through its medieval layout of alleys and passageways connecting baroque palaces is wonderful way to spend an afternoon.

Nové Mĕsto – The “New Town”, born of a big 14th century planning project, revolves around enormous Wenceslas Square (he of the Christmas Carol), once the focus of Czech opposition to the Soviet occupation. The streets around the square are filled with restaurants, cafés and stores. To the south lies the mythical cradle of the princes of Bohemia, the Vyšehrad castle. Built in 717, it remained the seat of the Bohemian rulers until Hradèany castle was built.

Vinohrady – The former royal vineyards, planted by the legendary King Charles IV in the 14th century, were uprooted at the end of the 19th century to make room for residences for the Czech middle class. Now the areas is mutating again as trendy restaurants and clubs take over the area.