- Ryan Pigeau
- Apr 4, 2019
- 2 min read
The Czech Republic is a country surrounded by Germany, Austria, Slovakia and Poland. Its capital city, Prague, is split into two sections by the Vltava River. It’s gained notoriety to travellers who come to experience the Gothic architecture, Old Town Square, medieval Astronomical Clock along with many other wonderful structures from the baroque period.
Charles Bridge, which was built way back in 1402, is one of the main attractions for travellers like myself who are inspired by centuries-old architecture and it continues to capture your attention observing the statues of Catholic saints that line this pedestrian bridge crossing the Vltava.
I want to make sure to also visit the Prague Orloj, the Astronomical Clock. It's become a fixation for many history buffs as the clock was completed in 1410 by a clockmaker and a mathematician and astronomy professor. It currently stands as the 3rd oldest astronomical clock in the world, but the oldest one still in working condition. The astronomical nature of this clock means it actually has features on it that depict the positions of the Sun and Moon as well as many other cosmic details. It would be an amazing sight to behold and I would recommending spending a short time here to make sure you witness the hourly show here as well.
An ancient symbol of the Czech Republic and the most significant monument in the entire country, the Prague Castle is a United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) World Heritage site. It was most likely founded around 880, is the largest castle complex in the world according to the Guinness World Records and has a history of more than 1000 years. The early rendition of the castle featured a moat that protected the structure and it’s made up of a composition of palaces and buildings of a variety of architectural styles. It takes up a total area of almost 70, 000 square meters.
In a city like Prague, tours are the best way to soak up the atmosphere, the sights and sounds. There is a tour called "The Grand City Tour of Prague" which is a 3.5 hour tour around the major attractions of the city. I feel like a tour like this is important to get a good understanding of such an ancient place, especially with a guide that can provide good information. I know I would find myself following up this tour with one of the river cruises on the Vlatava river.
Prague is an under-rated destination for sure. Anyone who has an appreciation for history, and long-standing history at that, will find that the alluring mystique of the city is a pleasant surprise.