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Prague Old Town
By Orson Johnson
Prague is one of the most attractive cities in Eastern Europe, with a great mixture of history and modern entertainment. One of the great pleasures of visiting this Aside from visits to the castle, or even the jewish quarter, a trip to the Old Town is a must. Aside from the castle itself, the Old Town is (as the name implies) the oldest part of Prague's towns, and even its name dates back to the 14th century. For anyone with a passion for history, the glamour of Prague's Old Town will thrill and amaze you.
Along with a lot of Europe, Prague has retained its long past in a kind of historical mosaic, so that there are portions of the fourteenth century (the Baroque Church of St James, Bethlehem Chapel) close by much later sights, like the Jan Hus monument and Kinsky Palace. This means that no matter what period you are most passionate about, you can visit the Old Town and be impressed by the architecture.
There are a number of important sites that you will probably want to see no matter what your interests, such as the Astronomical Clock, which hangs on the side of the Old Town Hall. The main dial is mechanical astrolabe, which shows not only the time, but also the positions of the sun and the moon in the Zodiac, the lunar phase, the time in old Bohemian hours, and other items. Probably no-one present will be able to completely understand all the extremely complex astrological data. Another good place to visit is the Convent of St Agnes, a place of importance in Czech national history. An archaeological dig in the 1940's uncovered the graves of several royal women, as well as those of the high-ranking nuns.
Whether you are planning to go on one of the guided tours around the Old Town, or if you just want to wander about and admire some of the magnificent gothic buildings; follow one of the old streets from top to bottom, and even walk the royal mile, which is the route that former coronation processions followed, there is certainly plenty to see. Be sure to take a map, and bring an extra pair of shoes. If it's rainy or cold, then you can also visit some of the indoor entertainments, such as the National Gallery at the Convent of St Agnes, or the house at the Stone Bell, which is now an exhibition hall.
Once you have finished exploring the beautiful town, you'll be starving: and the adventure can carry on with 'U Fleku', probably the most amazing restaurant in Prague. This version of the traditional Czech experience comes complete with plenty of alcohol, and this will probably be reflected in the bill; however this restaurant comes with a host of positive compliments. The other unmissible restaurant is the Needle House, named after its speciality of skewers of food balanced on specifically designed plates. You cannot get better service or more delicious dishes. Both of these places are fantastic, and there are also more budget friendly locations once away from the Old Town Square.
As well as plenty of places to eat, there are also a number of nightclubs and bars, which means that you will be able to go back to your hotel and tidy up, and then head back out on the pubs and clubs trail. Even outside of the Old Town, there are a number of music clubs to cater for every taste, and you could find somewhere to cater to your interests. Whether you want a crazy party night out, or a quiet England-themed pub, Prague can cater for both.
There are also plenty of places to stay within the Old Town, although you could also stay in other areas of Prague, staying within the bounds of the Old Town is more than sensible, especially after a long walk. You won't fancy going across the city to your hotel with blistered feet. As well as formal hotels, such as the Four Seasons, which can be bought as part of a package holiday, there are also self-catering apartments and rooms, and bed-and-breakfast such as the Apple Hostel. The closer that you are to the town centre, the more likely it is that you will have to pay over the odds for your rooms, especially during peak season, but this is the same everywhere, and the attractiveness of the location can more than make up for a higher cost.
As Prague is very close to water, and many places actually have walls built along the water line. It might be advisable to arrange a trip in summer, when there is less risk of flooding. There is no danger to tourists, but during the flooding, some roads and bridges, as well as city transport, may be inaccessible.
About the Author
Orson Johnson writes for Holiday Velvet, a website providing listings for bed and breakfasts, villas, hotels and Apartments in Prague
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