Prague– dream, fairy tale, incredible miracle. This is how it seems to tourists, and for good reason. Traditionally, a walk through begins from the Old Town Square, or Prague Castle. However, you are much more imbued with the magic of this city, looking at it from the height of the observation tower, located on the slope of the Petrizhsky hill.
Lovers of nature and flowers are advised to visit the Vrtbovská Zagrada. This garden was founded in 1720 and is one of the most beautiful in Europe. He is truly unique. Its small terraces rise up the slope, giving a magnificent view of the entire city.
The traveler is amazed by the Gothic towers of St. Vitus Cathedral - the heart of Prague Castle. Its spire rises above the city, and from the tower of the cathedral there is an excellent view of the spiers, turrets, the presidential palace and Prague gardens, as well as the Golden Lane, whose small houses are dotted with souvenir shops and art workshops.
The Strahov Monastery traditionally starts excursions covering the Church of St. Nicholas, Mala Strana and Lesser Town Square.
The Charles Bridge
Another "celebrity" of Prague is Charles Bridge. Surprisingly, built in 1357, it still stands reliably, and pleases tourists with many souvenirs, the singing and playing of street musicians, and amazing stone statues. There is also a sculpture by Jan Nepomuk. This one of the most revered saints of Bohemia was thrown from the bridge, because he did not give the king the secret of the queen's confession. They say that the wishes made from him come true, and even the guides are not averse to checking the old belief.
And, of course, the heart of the city itself deserves attention - Old Town Square. It enchants with its beauty. Here is the Baroque Church of St. Nicholas, the Town Hall Cathedral of Mary in front of Tyn. The bright umbrellas of street cafes, as well as the performance in the town hall clock, which takes place at the beginning of every hour, amaze the eyes ...
From here you can look into any corner of Prague. And there are just a lot of them. The old town, where the town hall and the oldest synagogue in Europe are located. The new city with its Wenceslas Square, National Museum, St. Wenceslas Monument, Cathedral of the Virgin Mary, and Franciscan Garden ...
On Gusovaya Street, you can find an image similar to Lenin, made in bronze. In the courtyards of the Malaya Strana - a fountain with pissing boys. The TV tower will surprise you with the figures of babies climbing on it ...
All the beauties of Prague are countless. Coming here, you can be amazed by it again and again, as if to learn anew countless times. Prague is a fantastic world that awaits you!
We were in Prague in January 2007. The small details of the trip, of course, can no longer be recalled, but the general mood that accompanied us during our stay in this magical city will remain in our memory, if not forever, then at least for a long time.
View of Prague Castle and St. Vitus Cathedral from Charles Bridge:
Everyone has heard and read eulogies about Prague, so I will not floridly describe all its charms and eloquently confess my love to Prague. There will be just a few photos of this supercity, as we saw it on our trip, with a few comments.
We were lucky with the weather: there was no snow, periodically the sun peeped out and only a couple of times it rained for a short time.
Old Town Hall with clock
When the clock strikes, figures appear in the windows
And this is the "meridian", which seems to be the center of Europe))
Synagogue clocks in two versions. Jewish ones look like a mirror image of ordinary ones and, accordingly, go in the opposite direction.
These little "buttons" are scattered throughout the city. In my opinion, very cute))
A wheel from some sooooo ancient mill
Saint John of Nepomuk, martyr
View from the Charles Bridge to the Vltava
There are always a lot of tourists on the Charles Bridge during the day.
At Prague Castle
A real gas lamp that works to this day
Bishop's residence at Prague Castle
St. Vitus Cathedral outside ...
And inside
View of Prague from Prague Castle
In the courtyard of the Franz Kafka Museum, you can see such wonderful pissing boys. By the way, they display the letters of the Latin alphabet in trickles))
But this sticker on the back of the road sign plunged us into some shock ...
Walking in the evening through the deserted Prague Castle, we came across such a sculpture. We didn't really understand what it was about, but it seems like something about the war ...
This is a front view ...
well, this is, in fact, behind))))
As you understand, I could not pass by such beauty))
Prague is regularly exposed to terrible floods. The last one was in August 2002. In the restaurant "Black Eagle" (hello to fans of Lukyanenko))) we saw this photo, in which the unfortunate restaurant itself is shown with a white arrow, almost up to the roof in the water:
To top off our excursion program, we decided to visit as many of the most interesting Prague pubs as possible)) In one of them, the Old Town Brewery, there are such napkins on the tables with a plan of this very underground restaurant. It should be noted that there really are such long labyrinths! On the way to the toilet, you can get lost 5 times))
Cathedral of St. Ludmila
We don't know anything about him, we just found it on the map and decided to take a walk to take a picture of it.
Hmm, and this is ... a sock)))) lies so alone in the middle of the street ...)))
The famous "Dancing House"
Museum building on Wenceslas Square
And here is Wenceslas Square itself.
And finally, a few more photos ...
That's it))
I highly recommend to everyone, everyone, everyone to go to Prague at least once. You need to see this city with your own eyes, no photos will convey its atmosphere and beauty!
Personally, I will try to get there one more time before the introduction of the euro;)) Such delicious beer for 30-40 rubles, which was brewed in the very restaurant where it is served to you, is nowhere else, I'm sure!))))
So ... EVERYTHING IN PRAGUE !!!
For a long time in your dreams, you imagine yourself a royal person and want to be in a fairy tale at least for a moment - go to Prague. Finding yourself at the most famous bridge in Europe, which was laid in Prague back in 1357, you will not believe your eyes. Story! This is a real fairy tale! Magnificent, as if carved from precious stones and [...]
For a long time in your dreams, you imagine yourself to be a royal person and want to be in a fairy tale at least for a moment - go to Prague. Finding yourself at the most famous bridge in Europe, which was laid in Prague back in 1357, you will not believe your eyes. Story! This is a real fairy tale! Magnificent, as if carved from precious stones and adorned with all the gold of the world - Prague! Its palaces, squares, cathedrals, bridges, lanterns, streets, everything will seem like some kind of magical, completely unreal, fabulous scenery for the film.
You can walk around Prague for hours, in any weather, enjoying all the wealth of centuries-old architecture and cultural heritage. The capital of the Czech Republic is rightfully considered the most beautiful city in Europe. It is not for nothing that popular tours to the Czech Republic are dedicated to Prague.
The unique beauty of Prague is hidden between Prague Castle and Vysehrad, standing on the rocks above the mighty Vltava River.
This city is often called golden, hundred-tower, the mother of cities, the city on the Vltava, magical Prague and fabulous Prague. At all times, she was famous for her hospitality. The most famous places in Prague are always full of tourists: Hradcany, Old Town, New Town, Prague Castle and Vysehrad.
Architectural treasures, historical monuments and excellent hotel service make Prague the most coveted European capital.
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We were in Prague in January 2007. The small details of the trip, of course, can no longer be recalled, but the general mood that accompanied us during our stay in this magical city will remain in our memory, if not forever, then at least for a long time.
View of Prague Castle and St. Vitus Cathedral from Charles Bridge:
Everyone has heard and read eulogies about Prague, so I will not floridly describe all its charms and eloquently confess my love to Prague. There will be just a few photos of this supercity, as we saw it on our trip, with a few comments.
We were lucky with the weather: there was no snow, periodically the sun peeped out and only a couple of times it rained for a short time.
Old Town Hall with clock 
When the clock strikes, figures appear in the windows 
And this is the "meridian", which seems to be the center of Europe)) 
Synagogue clocks in two versions. Jewish ones look like a mirror image of ordinary ones and, accordingly, go in the opposite direction. 
These little "buttons" are scattered throughout the city. In my opinion, very cute)) 
A wheel from some sooooo ancient mill 
Saint John of Nepomuk, martyr 
View from the Charles Bridge to the Vltava 
There are always a lot of tourists on the Charles Bridge during the day. 
At Prague Castle 
A real gas lamp that works to this day 
Bishop's residence at Prague Castle 
St. Vitus Cathedral outside ... 
... and inside 
View of Prague from Prague Castle 
In the courtyard of the Franz Kafka Museum, you can see such wonderful pissing boys. By the way, they display the letters of the Latin alphabet in trickles)) 
But this sticker on the back of the road sign plunged us into some shock ... 
Walking in the evening through the deserted Prague Castle, we came across such a sculpture. We didn't really understand what it was about, but it seems like something about the war ...
This is a front view ... 
well, this is, in fact, behind)))) 
As you understand, I could not pass by such beauty))
Prague is regularly exposed to terrible floods. The last one was in August 2002. In the restaurant "Black Eagle" (hello to fans of Lukyanenko))) we saw this photo, in which the unfortunate restaurant itself is shown with a white arrow, almost up to the roof in the water: 
To top off our excursion program, we decided to visit as many of the most interesting Prague pubs as possible)) In one of them, the Old Town Brewery, there are such napkins on the tables with a plan of this very underground restaurant. It should be noted that there really are such long labyrinths! On the way to the toilet, you can get lost 5 times)) 
Cathedral of St. Ludmila 
We don't know anything about him, we just found it on the map and decided to take a walk to take a picture of it.
Hmm, and this is ... a sock)))) lies so alone in the middle of the street ...))) 
The famous "Dancing House" 
Museum building on Wenceslas Square 
And here is Wenceslas Square itself. 
And finally, a few more photos ... 
That's it))
I highly recommend to everyone, everyone, everyone to go to Prague at least once. You need to see this city with your own eyes, no photos will convey its atmosphere and beauty!
Personally, I will try to get there one more time before the introduction of the euro;)) Such delicious beer for 30-40 rubles, which was brewed in the very restaurant where it is served to you, is nowhere else, I'm sure!))))
So ... EVERYTHING IN PRAGUE !!!
"Prague is the best city in Europe, Prague fairy tale ..."that only I have not heard about Prague. And so we enter Prague from the back door, so to speak, from the airport in Pardubice. Prague is a city like a city, and the first thing that catches your eye is graffiti. The whole city is painted with graffiti completely whole.
This immediately gives the impression of dirt that no one wants to clean up. Apparently, the problem is not being solved. In the most famous theater in Prague "Laterna Magika" (by the way, the theater is interesting, but the actors dance extremely out of sync) there is a production of "Graffiti", like the culture in the Czech Republic is like that, that's why it's dirty.
How to change money in Prague
The first thing in Prague is money, Czech crowns.
Take euro with you ($ is not respected there). How much to take for expenses? How much. For two of us, we met 350 euros in 7 days. But this is us without fanaticism. The very same trip to Prague for 7 days for two with plane tickets from Moscow, delivery to the hotel, accommodation and breakfast (buffet) cost 52,000 rubles.
Euros (like $) can be changed at the airport, but there is a low exchange rate. In general, you could find out which course is good in advance via the Internet. We found it out just by walking around the city. A good rate was 1 euro - 26.2 kroons. It turns out 1 crown - 1.7 rubles. There was a course at the airport 23. In principle, cafes, hotels and shops accept euros. So with the exchange, you can wait until the city, if the transfer from the airport to the hotel is included in your tour.
"Scammers in the law" or hucksters - so I would call the currency exchange offices.
They are in the center of Prague on every corner and you don't need to change them.
The scammers do the following: they write a good course in big letters, but in fact change it at an underestimated rate.
At 26, 90 you will not change the euro in this exchanger, the rate in this exchanger was 1 to 20.
The fact is that the rate they indicate will only be if you change, for example, more than 50,000 kroons. Or they will take a commission from the transfer. In general, tourists are bred.
Exchange rule: any exchange office that is favorably located is deceiving.
To find out the real course always ask, for example: "Tell me 10 euros how much?"
And they will show you on the calculator - there you will see the true course.
There are good exchangers, you just need to look for them or change them in banks (they have a slightly lower rate and they do not work on weekends).
Remember that the Czech crowns on departure will need to be exchanged back to euros or spent. So calculate how much to change.
Prague is a city of tourists
The population of Prague is 1 million 222 thousand people, but Czechs are generally not visible there. Some Russians, Italians, Germans ... the Japanese ran through. There are simply colossal numbers of Russians. Wherever you go, drive or climb there are ours.
Sellers in stores try to determine the nationality first by your appearance, then greet you in your language. If your reaction is not, then they are waiting for you to speak and dispel their doubts.
Almost everyone speaks and understands Russian, since the Czech language is still similar. In extreme, very extreme cases, you can speak English. Some of our tourists show off like that, speak English, then when they would be perfectly understood in Russian. There is no language barrier at all. Consider that you have arrived in the city of Russia.
Prague is only tourists, they are everywhere in the center. There are a lot of them.
On the Charles Bridge
But one has only to get off the central streets and there is NO ONE.
There are also very few people on the subway
Transport
Strange Czechs, they think, only sometimes in a peculiar way ...
There are 3 types of tickets for transport (metro, tram, bus):
The first one for 18 kroons (~ 25 rubles) gives the right to travel 5 metro stops without a change and no more than 30 minutes. Or the right to travel by tram for 20 minutes without a change.
The second for 26 kroons (~ 44 rubles) - you can change trains, and it is valid for 75 minutes.
The third for 100 CZK (~ 170 rubles) - a subscription for the day.
Do you understand something? Why it was so complicated, I do not understand. And you need to find these tickets where to buy. There are ticket machines and ticket offices in the metro, but at tram stops you need to look for tickets in the nearest shops.
You punch your ticket once at the entrance to the metro, and you punch it on the tram. That is, trust.
You can probably ride like a hare, but there are checks. Controllers appear at the exit or at the entrance to the metro and check tickets. So keep your ticket until you surface. For 7 days we were checked once.
The metro is quiet and calm.
Doors on metro trains must be opened by pressing a button. They save something on opening and closing doors. The stations are ridiculously short. 1 station - 5 minutes walk.
Trams run on schedule. At each stop it is written when to wait.
On weekends you can ride the historic tram. It runs from the exhibition center every hour across the city. You can go to any station. It costs 35 CZK (~ 60 rubles) per person.
Strange shops
The Czech Republic has overtaken Russia in some ways, but not in others. Grocery stores, ala, 90s of the last century. We only have such in the villages. Maybe they are just like that in the center, or there are just fewer people ... or I'm used to good things - we have the largest retail chain Magnit in Krasnodar and there are no problems with food.
And it's okay that the shops are a bit old, but they also close at 18-00.
The day is just beginning and the store is already closing
And this store is open on Saturday from 10 to 12
Oh, happiness, this "Vecerka" store is open after 20-00
In general, maybe their life is so leisurely, but after 18 everyone is asleep ...
At the main bus station in Prague (the capital of the Czech Republic) there are practically no people at this time.
This only visitor to the bus station charges a cell phone.
What to visit in Prague
We went around the whole city on foot in a few days, without excursions, according to the guidebook ourselves. By the way, there are interesting guidebooks, it says: "To find Vysehrad from the metro station, go west." Do you need to navigate by the sun or compass?
Or how to write in a tourist guide where prostitutes gather. After all, someone will be interested. They write: "Attention, be careful, prostitutes are gathering in Bethlehem square ...".
We visited the zoo. A real habitat has been created for the animals. So jungle is jungle, humid, hot and it rains. Nice walk.
We climbed Petrin Hill. There is a lift, and at the top is a copy of the Eiffel Tower, which you can climb and take pictures.
And nearby on the hill is a mirror maze.
With a room of crooked mirrors.
Parks in Prague are wonderful.
Hand Made).
There are many tourists in Prague and many souvenirs for them. That only the Czechs do not come up with.
About excursions
Do not buy excursions from travel companies in Russia. They sell them for more than you can easily buy yourself locally. Moreover, having bought excursions in advance, you will be limited in your time. You will be taken wherever you do not need (reviews of Russian tourists who bought excursions). You won't see Prague and life in the Czech Republic like that.
Going on guided tours in Prague is easy. Firms on every corner in the city center, in Russian. And in the hotel there are stands with excursion booklets.
In general, these excursions are not needed.
Buy a Prague travel guide in Russia and follow it. And on an excursion to another city, go on your own. You will save at least 1,500 rubles per person on each excursion and, most importantly, you will be free to travel and time.
It is very easy to go on a country excursion - come to the bus station at the "Florenc" metro station and ask at any ticket office for the departure time to the city you need. It's easy to ask: just name the desired city, for example, "Karlovy Vary when?"
Buses run regularly every hour, so you will leave quickly, tickets can be bought directly from the bus driver. You can find out the schedule through the information machine, it's even easier there.
We ourselves went to Karlovy Vary and Kutna Hora.
I assure you, driving yourself is much better and more profitable.
Moreover, you will not be alone, there will probably be Russian tourists in every bus. Remember that after 20-00 it can be problematic to go back to Prague. So come back before this time.
Kutna Hora
Kutná Hora is a city in the Czech Republic, about an hour by bus from Prague. The main attraction is the Ossuary.
The Ossuary is a Gothic chapel decorated with human skulls and bones. About 40,000 human skeletons were used to decorate the chapel.
At the Kutná Hora train station, buy a map in a shop near the Info Center and use it to navigate. 15 minutes walk and you are there.
Atmospheric place
Yes, if you are a student or look like a student, there will be a discount when entering various places.
Just always buy student ID cards. Sometimes they ask to show a student's international card, but you speak Russian, that there is no such card and you will still be sold a student card. You can probably even make such a map in Russia for students and teachers. But all the same they look in appearance and all are kind.
There are other sights in Kutná Hora.
St. Barbara Cathedral
And most of all in Kutná Hora I liked the bobsleigh track - bobovadrahakutnahora.cz
In the booklet, they write that the speed on the highway can reach 76 km / h. And that the track is certified according to the European safety requirements. I took their word for it and, deciding that they were smart and had foreseen everything, the whole track raced to the fullest. Like a roller coaster. Feeling - super.
Only I was naive, not everything was so thought out. In the end, the bob with me almost flew off the track. It turns out there were warning signs all over the road that you need to brake. And I didn't even see them. Be careful.
Karlovy Vary
Karlovy Vary is a quiet, calm ... Russian resort. Some Russians. In the shops there are Russian sellers, signs in Russian, everyone speaks Russian ...
Karlovy Vary resembles Kislovodsk. It is a resort town with medicinal waters.
It's just nice to walk around the city. Buy products that are made only in Karlovy Vary. For example, the branded Becherovka - herbal tincture.
Try the waffles, they will be made right in front of you.
They sell interesting chocolate in Karlovy Vary. Animals made of chocolate, sweets with views of Prague ...
Take a dip in the open-air thermal pool. True, something was cool there. And the pool itself still needs to be found. It is behind the Thermal hotel uphill.
Climb the cable car up the mountain, and go back down yourself through the park.
Prague is a good city to relax. Almost everyone understands Russian, from Prague you can travel to other European cities, for example, Vienna, Dresden. I have not traveled since long trips.
Seven days was more than enough, in the last days I was tired of running around the sights. I even came to the conclusion that tourism is one of the forms of consumption. But it's still nice to change the environment and just relax.
Travel reports:
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To the Czech Republic for beads
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