Prague/Castle and Lesser Town



Both in district Prague 1, Castle district of Prague (Czech: Hradčany.) is the highest part of the city while the Lesser Town of Prague (Czech: Malá Strana) is the lower area on the left bank.

Understand
Prague Castle is the symbol of the Czech state. It became the seat of Bohemian dukes in the 9th century. Since then, the Prague Castle had been continually the seat of ruler of the Czech lands, from kings of Bohemia to Czechoslovak and Czech presidents. According to the Guinness Book of Records, Prague Castle is the largest ancient castle in the world. Castle complex is a unique mixture of different architectural styles. From Romanesque St. George's Basilica, Gothic St. Vitus cathedral, renaissance Belvedere with gardens to adjustments by well-known architects form 20th century.

Under the Castle is Lesser Town. Founded in 13th century, this part of Prague was inhabited mostly by Germans. Lesser Town was destroyed during the Hussite Rebellion, therefore there is a Baroque architectural predominance here.

Get in
Public transport is the preferred way. To reach the Prague Castle, use station of line A or. The best way how to get to Lesser Town is station of line A "Malostranská", station of trams 12, 20 and 22 "Malostranské náměstí". Probably the best option is a walk from Old Town via the Charles bridge.

The nearest car parking (paid and guarded) is in the street.

See
The main attraction of Hradčany (Castle Quarter or Castle District) is the Prague Castle itself. However the Castle Quarter is much larger and is filled with many other attractions, palaces, churches and monasteries. Some of the palaces host excellent galleries, others are used as government or church buildings.

Some of the areas require you to buy a ticket for entrance. You can buy one of two combined tickets. The short tour allows entrance to the Old Royal Palace, St. George's Basilica, Golden Lane and Daliborka Tower for 250 Kč. The long tour allows entry to all the same places as the short tour, as well as "The Story of Prague Castle" exhibition, the National Gallery display in the Convent of St. George, and the Prague Castle Picture Gallery all for 350 Kč. The entry to the St. Vithus Cathedral is free (but crowds are regulated) when the owned by the state, but money is charged when owned by the Catholic church. The legal battle over the ownership of the cathedral still continues. To climb the bell tower of the cathedral costs 150 Kč.





Do

 * Watch the Castle Guard changing ceremony at a full hour, best at noon.
 * Listen to the Loreta bells at a full hour.
 * Visit the excellent art galleries both inside the Castle and in the surrounding palaces.
 * Climb the highest tower of the St. Vitus Cathedral and enjoy Prague from the excellent perspective.
 * Go up the Petrin Observation Tower for a worthwhile view over the city for 60 Kč (reductions 40 Kč).
 * Watch the night sky with a big telescope from the Stefanik Observatory (40 Kč).
 * Children of all ages like the distorting mirrors in the Mirror Maze on Petřín Hill.

Buy
Number of little gift shop with Prague-themed items on Nerudova street. More affordable prices than in Old Town, less crowded and especially offers more original and peculiar items.