October - 2014
Prague - Czech Republic
Prague (Czech: Praha) is the capital and the largest city of the Czech Republic, being the 13th largest city in the European Union and also the historical capital of Bohemia. It is one of the most popular tourist destinations in all Europe, thanks to its architecture, made up of several baroque buildings, gothic churches and medieval constructions, that survived bombardments during World War II. Scattered throughout all city, it's possible to find interesting buildings on every corner.
The town is divided in several neighborhoods. The main ones are the New Town (Nové Město), the Old Town (Staré Město), the Jewish Quarter (Josefov), the Little Quarter (Malá Strana) and the Castle District (Hradčany).
Starting with the New Town (Nové Město), it is located around the Old Town and has many tall buildings and comercial centers. The main train station (hlavní nádraží) is located here, close to the State Opera (Státní opera) and the National Museum (Národní Muzeum).
 Main train station (hlavní nádraží) |  State Opera (Státní opera) |  National Museum (Národní Muzeum) |
|---|
The main attractions of the New Town are: the Wenceslas Square (Václavské námestí), a boulevard that extends for 700 m starting from the Museum of the City of Prague (Muzeum Hlavního Města Prahy); and the famous Dancing House (Tančící dům), which was built in 1996 intended to be a cultural center, but turned into business offices.
Wenceslas Square (Václavské námestí)
Wenceslas Square (Václavské námestí)
Statue of St. Wenceslas and the Museum of the City
The Dancing House (Tančící dům)
Square on the other side of the Dancing House
Walking through the New Town, towards the Old Town, it is possible to admire various buildings along the way as well as the Vltava river, which separates the city.
The Old Town (Staré Město) is the historical center of Prague. The main attractions are all located in the main Old Town Square (Staromêstské Námêstí). The Old Town Hall (Staroměstská radnice) has the the Astronomical Clock (Oroloj), the oldest one still working in the world, built in 1410.
 View from the Old Town Square: the Old Town Hall on the left and the Týn Church in the background |  Night view of the Old Town Square |  The Astronomical Clock is mounted on the southern wall of the Old Town Hall |
|---|---|---|
 Astronomical Clock details |  Statues of the Old Town Hall |  Giant soap bubble |
 Clear sky and the Old Town Hall |
Also located in the Old Town Square are the Jan Hus Monument and the Church of Our Lady before Týn (Týnský Chrám), or Týn Church, built in the 14th century, with Gothic features and towers reaching 80 m high.
 The Church of Our Lady before Týn |  Jan Hus Monument |  Old Town Square: Týn Church and Jan Hus Monument |
|---|---|---|
 Entrance of Týn Church |  Side view of the Týn Church |
It is possible to climb the clock tower of the Old Town Hall. The tower has 59 m height and it gives a great panoramic view of the Old Town. Following are photos from the tower and of other buildings found in Old Town.
 Interior of the Clock Tower |  View from the Clock Tower |  The Old Town Square and the Týn Church |
|---|---|---|
 Far away, on the skyline, it is possible to see the Žižkov TV Tower and the St. Vitus Cathedral |  Museum of the City far away in the New Town district |  St. Vitus Cathedral in the Castle District stands out on the skyline |
 The New Town Hall (Nová radnice) also located in Old Town |  Old Town streets |  Old Town streets |
 The Rudolfinum has been the home of the Czech Philharmonic Orchestra |  Garden of the Rudolfinum |