By Ayan Das
Pic credit: Dr Debraj Roy
The capital of Czech Republic, Prague is equivalent to Paris in terms of beauty. Its history goes back a millennium.
Considered as the European Hotspot, one can feel that partaking Charles Bridge with half of the humanity. Not unexpectedly, visitors from around the world have come in droves, and on a hot summer’s day.
Prague has been well thought-out as one of the most beautiful cities in the world since Middle Ages. Adjectives like “golden”, “city of a hundred spires” and “the crown of the world” were attributed to Prague which is located right in the heart of Europe. In recent years, the communism of the mid-20th century has given way to capitalism, and tourism has helped to drive the city’s regeneration, transforming run-down buildings into fine restaurants, vibrant bars and stylish hotels.
Starting with the Prague Castle, the most popular attraction, that looms above the Vltava’s left bank, its serried ranks of spires, towers and palaces dominate the city centre like a fairy-tale fortress. According to the Guinness World Records, it’s the largest ancient castle complex in the world: 570m long, an average of 128m wide and covering a total area bigger than seven football fields. There are three main kinds of tickets (A, B, C; each valid for two days), which allow entry to different combinations of sights. Most short-term visitors will be satisfied with the reduced-price option B, which includes the major highlights. One can buy tickets and English-language audio guides at either of two information centres in the Second and Third Courtyards, or from ticket offices at the entrances to all the main sights.
Let your guide tell you one of the intriguing alchemist legends connected to this place is the Royal Palace where Franz Kafka worked and then continue to the lovely Prague castle gardens where you can enjoy a unique view of the city.
Your walk continues to the Old Town Square where you can enjoy the parade of apostles at the Astronomical Clock, which was first mounted in 1410, making it the third-oldest astronomical clock in the world and the oldest one still operating. A few steps apart there is a former Jewish quarter with its synagogues, the Golem story and the mysterious old cemetery or the art-nouveau-style Municipal House and the modern centre Wenceslas square.
It is located between the Wenceslas Square and Charles Bridge. This Charles Bridge is a historic bridge that crosses the Vltava river. Its construction started in 1357 under the auspices of King Charles IV, and finished in the beginning of the 15th century. The bridge replaced the old Judith Bridge built 1158–1172 that had been badly damaged by a flood in 1342. This new bridge was originally called Stone bridge or Prague Bridge but has been “Charles Bridge” since 1870.
Eventually the Metropolitan Cathedral of Saints Vitus, Wenceslaus and Adalbert is a Roman Catholic municipal cathedral in Prague, the accommodation of the Archbishop of Prague. Until 1997, the cathedral was fanatical only to Saint Vitus, and is still commonly named only as St. Vitus Cathedral.
If you are planning to head to Europe this winter, nothing better than scheduling a trip to Prague since it’s the best time to visit as offers and discounts are found in abundance!