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If you have further time to spend in Prague you could also visit:
The Castle
The history of Prague is closely linked to that of its castle, built as a fortress by Prince Borìvoj about 880 AD. Thanks to its dominant position on the Moldova, the castle soon became the main residence of the Dukes of Bohemia, who added churches, palatial accommodation and increasingly commanding fortifications.
In the 14th century, Charles IV made the whole complex the seat of his Empire and founded one of Prague’s most spectacular monuments: the Gothic St. Vitus Cathedral, situated in the third of the castle’s three courtyards.
The Cathedral is 60 metres wide and 124 long, the two spires at the front are 82 metres high, whilst the main tower is almost 100 metres. Saint Wenceslas is buried inside the cathedral and the Bohemian crown jewels are kept in the royal chamber.
St. George’s Basilica stands behind the cathedral. Founded in the 10th century, the façade was rebuilt first in the Romanesque style in 1142 and then remodelled in Baroque style in 1677. Beside the basilica is the monastery of the same name and behind it you can catch a glimpse of the famous Golden Lane, with its historic houses of different colours. These days they are used as boutiques and souvenir stores, but according to legend they were once the homes and workshops of alchemists determined to find the secret of making gold. Franz Kafka lived for several years at no. 22, as the plaque outside recalls.
The New Town (Nove Mesto) was founded by Charles IV in 1348 on a well constructed urban plan. The New Town spread around three large squares with three different markets: the hay market in Senovazne Square, the livestock market in Charles Square and the horse fair in Wenceslas Square. The new urban area was twice the size of the Old Town and those who lived there were chiefly blacksmiths, brewers and merchants. Today the focus of the New Town is the so-called “Golden Cross”, a kind of large T-shape formed by Wenceslas Square and Nàprikopè and Nàrodni Streets: a busy area at any time of day or night with its restaurants, shops and hotels which make it a commercial centre ideal for shopping or any kind of purchase and, at night, the liveliest place in the whole city.
