It is a truth universally acknowledged that going for a weekend holiday on your birthday is a very good idea, particularly with six of your closest fun-loving friends. I took full advantage of this to escape for my November birthday to beautiful Prague. I loved the city, from wandering its multi-coloured streets to looking out over its plethora of bridges and towers. I’d love to go back soon, and I definitely recommend it for a weekend break (or longer if you can manage!). Here’s eight awesome things to do while you’re there.
Visit Prague Castle
Looking across to the Castle by Charles Bridge
Climbing the steps to the Castle
Prague Castle dominates the skyline of the centre of the city, as is only right given it is reportedly the largest ancient castle in the world. Its history dates back to 870 AD and you could spend hours exploring its walls, corridors and alleyways. As we only had a short time, we opted just to visit the Castle complex to admire the panoramic views over the city and to peek into the Cathedral of St Vitus.
The Cathedral itself dates from 1344, and is an incredible space. If you have time, have a peek at the Chapel of St Wenceslas where the saint’s relics are reportedly kept. If you’ve timed it immaculately, you may even see the Czech Crown Jewels, which are displayed to the public only every eight years.
Wander the Jewish Quarter
The Jewish Quarter, known as Josefov, in Prague was created in the 11th century as the Jews of the city were forced to live in a small walled area. Because of this, the cemetery features layers of tombs, as you may be able to tell in the photograph above, and it is estimated that over a hundred thousand people may be buried in this small area. It was also supposedly home to the Golem, a creature made of clay who supposedly was brought to life in the 16th century to defend the inhabitants of the Jewish Ghetto from anti-Semitic attacks. Some stories say that the Golem got out of control and the rabbi who created him was forced to immobilise him, storing him in the attack of the Old Synagogue in case of further need of protection. Maybe he’ll reappear again one day!
The Old Synagogue – home of the Golem?
Pick your favourite colour scheme
Because Prague largely escaped bombardment during the World Wars, much of its architecture is still beautifully preserved, including many colourfully painted buildings. The moldings were so intricate and the pastel colours so gorgeous that sometimes I felt like I was on a film set – it was almost too pretty to be true! On an entirely different level was the Dancing House – quirky but also quite beautiful.
Embrace the crowds on Charles Bridge
Charles Bridge behind me
Charles Bridge is one of Prague’s most famous sites – a huge stone structure spanning the Vltava river, that was at the time of its construction in the fourteenth century the only way to travel between Prague Castle and the Old Town. It was packed with people admiring the 30 (now-replica) statutes of saints that watch over those who pass beneath.
Gawk at some public art
Prague has some seriously interesting public art in its streets, most notably from sculptor David Černy. From crawling babies to birthing mirror sculptures to a moving head, these large-scale art pieces certainly provoke discussion!
Jaroslav Róna’s statute commemorating Franz Kafka
Beat the traffic on a one way pedestrian street
This teeny street near the Franz Kafka Museum on the western side of the Vltava River has a novel solution to pedestrian traffic control – a stop-go traffic light system. Although there’s little at the bottom, apart from a restaurant that I imagine hopes to take advantage of the food-traffic, we had fun taking our turn in this little alleyway.
Eat some Czech goodies
Cynthia’s recommendation of trdelnik from the stall in Malostranské nám. 1/16 proved to be an absolute winner, with all of us pairing our warm cinnamon chimney-breads with delicious svarák mulled wine! I also sampled potato dumplings and a delicious tomato stew at Restaurace U Pinkasů, and loved my blogger meet up with Amy and Eric at Café Louvre.
Incredible dairy-free carrot cake
Don’t miss the Astronomical Clock and Old Town Square
Arguably Prague’s most famous sight, the Pražský orloj – Astronomical Clock – is located in the Old Town Square of Staroměstské náměstí. It was installed in 1410 and is the oldest working astronomical clock, showing not only the time but the position of the sun and moon, a calendar and also a clockwork parade of the apostles.
The Old Town Square itself is filled with beautiful buildings, watched over by the Church of Our Lady Before Tyn and its “Adam and Eve” towers. These are so-called due to their uneven widths – can you spot them above or below?
I’ll definitely be returning to Prague one day soon – do you have any suggestions to add to this list for when I do?
