For nearly two years, international travel screeched to a halt thanks to government travel restrictions put in place to combat COVID-19 transmission. However, with the recent widespread release of the COVID-19 vaccinations from Pfizer, Moderna, and Johnson & Johnson, countries around the world are once again opening their borders to tourists. Before the COVID-19 pandemic, Prague was one of the most visited countries in Europe, receiving over 8 million tourists each year. Although she currently resides in Weston, MA, Magda Fleckner and her family are originally from the Czech Republic and have spent a significant amount of time exploring the historic city of Prague.
With many travelers now planning their first international trip post-COVID-19, Magda L. Fleckner hopes to share her knowledge of her home country and inspire individuals from around the world to visit Prague’s many tourist destinations. To the many Americans considering a European vacation this winter, Magda Fleckner says, “I truly don’t know a better place than Prague to visit in the winter season. Not only is the city lit up for the holidays, but many hotels lower their prices by nearly 40%! Whether you’re a traveler that enjoys history, restaurants or simply getting to know the locals – there is something in Prague for everyone!”
Walk the Grounds of Prague Castle
Today, Prague Castle stands as the largest castle complex in the world, with an area of nearly 70,000 sq meters. As such, touring the castle can take up a large portion of the day; however, it is time well spent as tourists can view St. Vitus Cathedral, the Powder Tower, Old Royal Palace, Golden Lane, and St. George’s Basilica all within its walls. The castle was originally built as a fortress in 870 AD, with the Church of the Virgin Mary built shortly after. Since its foundation, the castle has grown tremendously. It has since housed renowned Bohemian Kings and Queens such as King Ottokar II of Bohemia, King Vladislav II Jagiellon, and the royal Habsburg family. Since 1918, the castle has become the official residence of the Czech Republic’s President and today is home to President Milos Zeman.
The castle is well known throughout architectural communities for its excellent representation of multiple styles throughout the last millennium. Within the castle walls lies the gothic style of St. Vitus Cathedral, the Romanesque Basilica of St. George, and houses several museums and collections of baroque and mannerism art.
When touring the royal grounds, guests are encouraged to visit the Old Royal Palace’s main hall known as the Vladislav Hall. Created by Vladislav II, the hall is a marvel of architecture and is so large; it is reported that it was once used for jousting tournaments with staircases wide enough to allow knights to ride up them using their mounts. Additionally, Magda Fleckner of Weston, MA recommends guests save time during their visit to see the Royal Garden. The gardens date back to the 16th century and feature a number of incredible outdoor builds, including the Lion’s Court, Royal Summer Home with Singing Fountain, and Ball Game Pavilion.
Take a Stroll Along Charles Bridge
As perhaps the most recognizable architectural and historical site in Prague, the Charles Bridge is a “must-see” for every history lover. Charles Bridge was built in 1357 by King Charles IV as a replacement of the old Judith Bridge (1158-1172). The medieval stone arch bridge has seen a great many disasters, such as the flood of 1432 that severely damaged multiple pillars on the bridge.
As one of the main entranceways into Prague’s city proper, the bridge has been the site of many battles and revolts and was used in the Battle of White Mountain in 1621, the Thirty Years War in 1648, and during Swedish occupation. The bridge spans roughly 621 meters and boasts 30 Baroque statues and status tries from the 17th and 18th centuries. Many visitors come to view these statues of saints and patron saints created by prominent sculptors of the time, including Matthias Braun, Michael Joseph, Jan Brokoff, and Ferdinand Maxmilian. Some of the most well-known statues include those of the Holy Roman Emperor Charles IV and the Czech Republic’s most holy reverend saint, John of Nepomuk. It is said that visitors who rub the base of these statuses will be granted a wish.
Since its creation, the bridge has also become the focus of a great deal of superstition. When Charles Bridge was first created, it is said that the builders laid the initial stone of the 9th of July at 5:31 am, a set of numbers that created 135797531, meant to give the structure additional strength and prevent it from crumbling.
Take a Tour of the Clementinum
The Clementinum, or “Klementinum,” is one of the largest historic complex buildings in Europe and hosts the National, University, and technical libraries and the City Library. The first known mention of the site comes from the 11th century, when the chapel dedicated to Saint Clement was mentioned. A Dominican monastery was founded in the medieval period and was later transformed into a Jesuit college in the 1550s. By 1662, however, the Jesuit college had moved the library of Charles Univesity to the Klementinum. However, after the Jesuits were expelled, the Clementinum became a public library and constituted the National Library.
The buildings within the Clementinum are predominantly designed in the Baroque style, with the Library Hall also created in the same style. The Library Hall contains one of the largest collections of books within Europe, with nearly six million documented books. The collection includes every book ever published in the Czech Republic and books dating back to the 11th century. One of the many highlights of the hall is the ceiling artwork, the famous Mirror Chapel, and the Astronomical Tower, which provide visitors with excellent views of Prague. Guided tours take approximately 50 minutes and are available in a variety of languages, including English.
