#praguearchitecture

Hundreds of beautiful domed churches, tall old towers, and a 1,100 year-old-skyline—Prague is known as the “city of a thousand spires” for a good reason. This city is an architectural gem of the modern world, with pieces of history littered throughout its fine examples of Baroque, Gothic, Art Nouveau, and Renaissance styles dotting the city and contrasting the old Prague Castle.

Use an online trip planner to discover some of the best places to visit in this historic city center:

Prague Castle

Prague Castle is located in the Hradcany neighborhood. It used to be the home of the Bohemian kings but now serves as the official residence of the president of the Czech Republic and a popular tourist attraction.

This gorgeous fortress was originally built around 870 AD, but the castle evolved with time and contains many examples of the leading architectural styles of the last millennium. The castle walls hold some of the most popular tourist sites in the city—St. George’s Basilica, Old Royal Palace, Powder Tower, Golden Lane, and St. Vitus Cathedral.

The behemoth of a castle requires a considerable amount of time to explore, but it’s definitely worth it when you have beautiful views of the Vltava River and the old town. Some highlights include the main hall of the Old Royal Palace—the large Vladislav Hall could host jousting tournaments! Make sure to visit the Royal Garden as well, home to the Ball Game Pavillion, Royal Sumer House and its Singing Fountain, and the Lion’s Court.

Charles Bridge

The wondrous Charles Bridge (Karluv Most) spans across 621 meters and boasts 32 different points of interest. The bridge was built in 1357 and has been regarded with superstition—the initial stone of the bridge was laid on 9th July, at 5:31 am exactly, giving an exact set of numbers (135797531) that is believed to give the humongous structure some additional strength. The construction was also completely aligned with the sunset on the equinox, as well as St. Vitus’s tomb.

The bridge contains many fine statues, such as those of the Holy Roman Emperor, Charles IV, and the country’s most revered saint, John of Nepomuk. Additionally, you can enjoy spectacular views of the River Vltava as well as the gorgeous Gothic gates.

Astronomical Clock in the Old Town Square

The Old Town is the historic center of the city, where you’ll find the Old Town Square—one of the best places to begin your exploration of Prague. You can find Tyn Church and the Clementinum, with multiple old churches and architecture dating back to the 11th century.

One of the main highlights of the area is the Old Town Hall which hosts the wonderful Astronomical Clock from the 15th century. The 12 Apostles and many other figures spring to life across the clock face every hour.

Some other highlights include a chapel dating back to 1381, an old prison, and the Gothic Doorway that leads to splendid art exhibits. You can enjoy panoramic views of the city by ascending the Old Town Hall Tower by stairs or elevator!

Wenceslas Square

Wenceslas Square is the highlight of the city’s New Town—an area that grew as the city prospered and expanded. Named after Bohemia’s patron saint, the Square contains the National Museum and many other architectural wonders. Wenceslas Square was created during Charles IV’s reign in the 14th century as a horse market but has now become one of the most important public spaces in the city, often used for celebrations and demonstrations.

It’s one of the best free places to visit in Prague, with visitors getting the chance to experience some excellent dining facilities and shop around for gifts. The site turns into Prague’s largest Christmas Market in December, so be sure to indulge in the holiday cheer!

The Dancing House

This modern architectural creation was designed by Frank Gehry and built around 1992-1996. Two adjoined towers come together to create a wondrous structure that resembles two dancing figures, further heightened by the fact that one of the towers seems to be a woman wearing a skirt.

The building mainly consists of a hotel and offices, but tourists can enjoy wonderful views from a restaurant on the top floor.

Begin your adventure with a travel planner and itinerary maker platform

There’s so much more to see in Prague! Tripety is one of the best free travel itinerary planner platforms that can help you plan your trip day by day or follow other people’s publicly shared itineraries. You can also use this group travel itinerary planner platform to plan a trip with a whole bunch of your friends and family while keeping in touch over the it.