Prague is the capital and largest city of the Czech Republic. Situated on the River Vltava in central Bohemia, Prague has been the political, cultural, and economic centre of the Czech state for more than 1100 years. For many decades during the Gothic and Renaissance eras, Prague was the seat of two Holy Roman Emperors and thus was also the capital of the Holy Roman Empire.

The currency in Prague is the Czech crown (CZK). To see exchange rates, click here. For full Prague information, click here.

Important Sights and Offerings

• Interested in taking a guided walking tour of the city?
  Check out http://www.pis.cz/en. Orders can be made directly via email at guides@pis.cz or via phone at + 420 236 002 562
  
  
• Old Town Square
  The most significant square of historical Prague. It originated in the 12th century and since then witnessed many events. Beside the Old Town Hall and the Church of Our Lady before Týn the square has several other dominants - the baroque St. Nicholas church (K. I. Dienzenhofer, 1732 - 1735), the rococo Kinský palace housing the National Gallery exhibition hall, the Stone Bell House - a gothic palace from the 14th century - now the Municipal Gallery concert and exhibition rooms, and the Memorial to Master Jan Hus sculptured by Ladislav Šaloun (1915). The very place where 27 Czech gentlemen were executed on June 21, 1621, is marked in the square pavement. The Prague meridian can be seen not far from there.
  
  
• Prague Castle
  A national cultural monument, the symbol of more than millennial development of the Czech state. Since its foundations in the last quarter of the 9th century it has been developing uninterruptedly throughout the past eleven centuries. It is a monumental complex of ecclesiastical, fortification, residential and office buildings all architectural styles and periods, surrounding three castle courtyards and covering 45 hectares. Originally it used to be the residence of princes and kings of Bohemia, since 1918 it is the seat of the president.
  
  
• Charles Bridge
  The oldest Prague bridge built in the place of the Judita´s Bridge that had been badly damaged by a flood in 1342. Tke Stone or Prague Bridge, since 1870 called Charles Bridge, was founded by Charles IV in the year 1357. By the latest researches the construction was started by Master Otto and finished by Petr Parlé? in 1402. Both ends of the bridge are fortified by towers (the Lesser Town Bridge Towers, the Old Town Bridge Tower). From 1683 to 1928 thirty sculptutes and sculptural groups of the saints were gradually set on the bridge piers (M. Braun, F. M. Brokof, etc.). The bridge is 515 metres long and 10 metres wide.
  
  
• Petrin View Tower
  Reduced copy of the Eiffel Tower (60 m high) built in 1891 on the occasion of the Jubilee Exhibition. 299 steps lead up to the top platform. In March 2002 the Tower was opened again to the public after a wide reconstruction.
  
  
• Loreta
  A Marian pilgrimage place with a copy of the Italian Santa Casa (G. Orsi, 1626 - 1627) including also the baroque Church of the Nativity of Our Lord (K. I. Dienzenhofer, 1734 - 1735). The ground is encircled by a cloister and chapels. The spire houses a carillon which consist of 27 Loreta bells which tune a Marian song We Greet You a Thousand Times (every hour from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.). The most valuable item of the liturgical treasury is the so-called Loreta Treasure, a collection of sacral object from the 16th to 18th centuries. The most famous of these is the Diamond Monstrance adorned with 6 222 diamonds.
  
  
• Old Jewish Cemetery - Jewish Museum
  Established in the mid-15th century it served as a burial site till 1787. Among 12 000 gothic, renaisance and baroque tombstones are also those of Rabbi Jehuda Löw (1609) and Mordechai Maisel (1601).
  
  
• St. Vitus Cathedral
  A gothic cathedral, the spiritual symbol of the Czech state, founded in the year 1344 by Jan Lucemburský (John of Luxembourg) and his sons Karel (Charles) and Jan Jind?ich (John Henry) in the place of the original romanesque rotunda. The construction proceeded according to the plans of Matthias of Arras (until 1352), and then Petr Parlé? (1356 – 1399). The construction period protracted to nearly 600 years and it was finally completed in 1929. Decorated by precios works of art it encloses St. Wenceslas´chapel and the crypt with tombs of Bohemian kings. The Czech crown jewels are deposited here too.
  
  
• The Old Town Hall with the Astronomical Clock
  Established 1338 as the seat of the Old Town authorities. The oldest gothic part of the complex which includes a tower and an oriel chapel is richly decorated with coats of arms. It was built in the latter half of the 14th century. In the top part of the astronomical clock (early 15th century) the 12 apostles appear every hour between 9 a. m. and 9 p. m. The bottom part was supplemented with a round calendarium including the signs of the zodiac painted by Josef Mánes (1865). The eastern pseudo-gothic wing of the Town Hall was destroyed on May 8, 1945 and has not been rebuilt yet. Guided tours are provided by the Prague Information Service.