The entrance gate from the Old Town to the Charles Bridge, designed by Petr Parler. One of the most beautiful Gothic towers in Europe. The tower contains copies of the enthroned figures of Charles IV and Wenceslas IV. Over the archway is a row of carved emblems of territoriesbelonging to Charles's Empire.

Open daily:
March 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.
April - May, October 10 a.m. - 7 p.m.
June - September 10 a.m. - 10 p.m.
November - February 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Permanent exhibition:
Music of Tower Galleries - about the history and development of brass instruments.

Guided tours are organised by the Prague Information Service.

Clementinum (Klementinum)

Prague 1, Old Town

A former Jesuit college, the building dates from the mid-17th century. It now houses the National Library of the Czech Republic and the State Technical Library.

The Municipal House (Obecni dum)

Prague 1, namesti Republiky 5
http://www.obecnidum.cz

An Art Noveau building constructed in 1905 - 1911 (A. Balsanek, O. Polivka) on the spot of the former king´s court, a seat of the kings of Bohemia from the end of the 14th century till 1438. The rich interieor and exterior decoration is work of A. Mucha, M. Svabinsky, J. V. Myslbek, etc. The monumental Smetana concert hall forms the centre of the building being the place of the International Music Festival Prazske Jaro (Prague Spring), other concerts and important social events.
Guided tours - inquiries phone 222 002 100, and the inquiry centre of Obecni dum.

Convent of St. Agnes of Bohemia (Klaster sv. Anezky Ceske)

Prague 1, U Milosrdnych 17

An ensemble of ecclesiastical and residential buildings founded by the King Wenceslas II in 1234. There is an exhibition from the National Gallery and a concert hall. See Galleries.

The Royal Mile (Kralovska cesta)

A unique complex of architectonic and historic memories, connecting today's centre of the town (Powder Tower via Celetna Street, Old Town Square, Karlova Street, Charles Bridge, Mostecka and Neruda Streets) with the entrance gate of Prague Castle. In the past, this route was followed by coronation processions and delegations from foreign countries.

Powder Tower (Prasna brana)
Prague 1, Na Prikope;

A Gothic building from 1475 constructed by Matthias Rejsek, and once probably used to store gunpowder. Modified in 1875-86.

Open daily:
April - June, Semptember, October 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.
July, August 10 a.m. - 10 p.m.

Permanent exhibition:
Prague Towers
Guided tours are organised by the Prague Information Service.

The Estates Theatre (Stavovske divadlo)

Prague 1, Ovocny trh 1
http://www.narodnidivadlo.cz
Opened in 1783 as the Nostic Theatre. The premiere of Mozart's opera Don Giovanni was given here on October 29, 1787. From 1799 the theatre belonged to the Czech Estates. On December 21, 1834, the song "Kde domov muj" (Where is my home) which later became the Czech national anthem was presentated on this stage for the first time. Today drama, opera and ballet are performed here.

Carolinum (Karolinum)

Prague 1, Ovocny trh 5

The original Charles University building, established in 1348. A Gothic bay chapel of 137O was rebuilt in Baroque style in 1718. At present, Charles University graduation ceremonies take place there. There is a gallery on the ground-floor.

Betlehem Chapel (Betlemska kaple)
Prague 1, Betlemske namesti

Originally a Gothic chapel dating from 1391. The famous religious reformer Master Jan Hus preached there. Completely damaged, the building was reconstructed in 1950-53 from old engravings and pictures (architect J. Fragner).

Open daily except Monday:
April - October 10 a.m. - 6.30 p.m.
November - March 10 a.m. - 5.30 p.m.

Guided tours are organised by the Prague Information Service.

Prague Jewish Town - Prague Ghetto (Zidovske mesto)
Prague 1, Old Town

It dates back to the 13th century but its present appearance is mainly the result of a vast redevelopment action undertaken between 1893 - 1913. Only a few most significant buildings were saved, the living testimony of the history of Prague Jews which lasted for many centuries. Yet these buildings form the best present complex of Jewish historical monuments in the whole Europe.Six synagogues remain from this old settlement which includes the Jewish Town Hall and the Old Jewish Cemetery - the most remarkable in Europe. Except the Old-New Synagogue they are part of the Jewish Museum.

Old-New Synagogue (Staronova synagoga)

Prague 1, Cervena

The oldest preserved synagogue in the Central Europe. It was built in the early gothic style in the late 13th century and richly adorned by stonework. Also the inside furnishings (gothic wrought-iron grill, wrought chandeliers) are of ancient origin. Up till now it has served as a house of prayer and the main synagogue of the Prague Jewish community.

Opening hours:
April - October daily except Saturdays and Jewish holidays 9.00 a.m. - 6 p.m., Fridays till 5 p.m. (April - October)
November - March daily except Saturdays and Jewish holidays 9.00 a.m. - 4.30 p.m., Fridays till 2 p.m.


Jewish Museum (Zidovske muzeum)

Prague 1, U Stare skoly 1
http://www.jewishmuseum.cz

The following sights are opened to the public:

Old Jewish Cemetery (Stary zidovsky hrbitov)

Prague 1, Siroka

Established in the mid-15th century it served as aburial site till 1787. Among 12 000 gothic, renaisance and baroque tombstones are also those of Rabbi Jehuda Löw (1609) and Mordechai Maisel (1601).

Pinkas Synagogue (Pinkasova synagoga)

Prague 1, Siroka 3

Permanent exhibition: A memorial to 77 297 victims of the Nazi holocaust. Drawings of childern from Terezin concentration camp.

Maisel Synagogue (Maiselova synagoga)

Prague 1, Maiselova 10

The neo-Gothic synagogue replaced a Renaissance original built by Maisel and destroyed by fire. Permanent exhibition: History of the Jews in Bohemia and Moravia between 10th to 18th centuries.

Klaus Synagogue (Klausova synagoga)

Prague 1, U Stareho hrbitova 4

Baroque building near the cemetary entrance. Permanent exhibition: Jewish customs and traditions.

Ceremonial Hall (Obradni sin)

Prague 1, U Stareho hrbitova 3a

Permanent exhibition: Jewish customs and traditions. The Flow of Life.

Spanish Synagogue (Spanelska synagoga)

Prague 1, Vezenska 1

Named after its Moorish interior. Permanent exhibition: History of the Jews in Bohemia and Moravia since their emancipation until now.

High Synagogue (Vysoka synagoga)

Prague 1, Cervena

This mid-16th century synagogue is closed to the public. It is called High because the prayer hall is upstairs.
Opening hours:
daily except Saturdays and Jewish holidays 9 a.m. - 6 p.m. (April - October)
daily except Saturdays and Jewish holidays 9 a.m. - 4.30 p.m. (November - March)

Old Town Square (Staromestske namesti)

The most significant square of historical Prague. It originated in the 12th century and since then witnessed many events. Beside the Old Town Hall and the Church of Our Lady before Tyn the square has several other dominants, the baroque St. Nicholas church (K. I. Dienzenhofer, 1732 - 1735), the rococo Kinsky palace housing the National Gallery graphic collection, the Stone Bell house - a gothic city palace from the 14th century - now the Municipal Gallery concert and exhibition rooms, and the Memorial to Master Jan Hus sculptured by Ladislav Saloun (1915). The very place where the 27 Czech gentlemen were executed on 21 June, 1621, is marked in the square pavement. The Prague merdidian can be seen not far from there.

The Old Town Hall with the Astronomical Clock - Horologe (Staromestska radnice s orlojem)

The Town Hall was founded in 1338. In 1364 the tower was joined to the chapel, and in 1470 the Town Hall was refurbished in Gothic style. The clock dates from the beginning of the 15th century; on the hour, a procession of the Twelve Apostles appears the window in the upper part. In the lower part are 12 medallions with the signs of the zodiac, created by Josef Manes (1865). The eastern wing of the Town Hall was destroyed on May 8, 1945, and has not been rebuilt yet.

Open daily
April - October Mon 11 a.m. - 6 p.m., Tue - Sun 9 a.m. - 6 p.m.
November - March Mon 11 a.m. - 5 p.m., Tue - Sun 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Church of Our Lady before Tyn (Tynsky chram)

Second only to St. Vitus's Cathedral it is the most remarkable Gothic church with Baroque interior in Prague. Contains the tomb of Tycho de Brahe, the famous astronomer. Part of the iterior is being renovated at present.

Tyn Yard (Tynsky dvur - Ungelt)
One of the places of a great historical value. A block of houses among the Tynska, Stupartska and Mala Stupartska streets. It was probably established in the 11th century already. Originally a fortified merchant yard where the duty on goods called ungelt (the whole area was given this name) was collected. Traces of all important architectural styles that appeared in Prague can be found in Ungelt. The most important building is the Granovsky Palace - one of the best preserved renaissance jewells in Prague. Between the years 1984 and 1996 the whole area was thoroughly renovated. Today it is used as cultural, shopping and administrative centre.

House At the Stone Bell

The most precious "burgess house" from the Middle Ages. Originally Romanesque, later remodeled in Gothic style a two-storey facade dating from the 14th century, renovated in 1988. Currently it serves as an exhibition and concert hall.

For more details see chapter Galleries.

Rudolfinum

A Neo Renaissance building constructed in 1876 - 1884 (J. Zitek, J. Schulz), originally designed for a picture gallery, collection of antiquites and concerts. In the years 1918 - 1938 and 1945 - 1946 it housed the National Assembly. The Czech Philhramonic Orchestra found its seat there in 1946. The main hall - the Dvorak Hall - is world famous as a place where the Prague Spring music festival concerts take place every year.