Prague is beautiful city and most of that beauty comes from the enchanting architecture and well-preserved landmarks. Although the whole city is a museum by itself, many of them stand out. This is a small list of our favorite Prague Landmarks.
Our 5 favorite Prague Landmarks
1. The Astronomical Clock
The creation of this clock started during the 15th century by the clock master Mikuláš of Kadaň also with the help of Jan Sindel (professor of mathematics and astronomy of Charles University). The astronomical dial displays the time, solar position, lunar phases, zodiac sign, sunset and sundown. The lower dial displays a calendar (created by Josef Mánes); the golden paintings represent the months and the outer ring mark the day, the week and feast days. Every hour on the hour the clock strikes and the little figurines next to the open dial move, they represent vanity, greed, death and vice. Finally the apostles will parade while the upper windows open. Most of all, do not miss this display!
2. St. Vitus Cathedral
Just in the 3rd courtyard of Prague Castle stands this perfect example of majestic architecture. The resting place of the Kings of Bohemia is in this church; maybe of the most important is Charles IV. The stained glass windows and rose window, especially show the creativity and talent of Czech glass artists, among them Alphonse Mucha and Frantisek Kysela (rose window). This Prague Landmark was finally completed after 600 years (1344-1929). You can enter to the first part of the cathedral for free and if you wish to walk around the chapels you will have to purchase the museum ticket… totally worth it!
3. Wallenstein garden
This is a hidden jewel of Prague, is probably easy to pass right besides it and not notice the entrance. The palace creator was Albrecht Valdštejn, the imperial army general of Ferdinand II (1623-1630). Now houses the Senate of the Czech Republic and therefore the garden is open to the public.
At the entrance of the garden you will find a copy of a marble fountain with the statue of Hercules and Nayaden in the middle created by Adriaen de Vries, he created most all of the statues in the garden.
In addition this garden is the house of albino peacocks (yes, you are reading correctly), ducks, owls and carps. At the end of the construction you will find the grotto, what seems like a ¨natural¨rock formation. Was created probably as a symbol of the degeneration that is irreversible, the passing of the time that consequently leads to unavoidable death, ruin and decadence.
You can find this garden outside the metro station Malostranská (green line) or by tram at Malonstranské Namestí tram stop (tram 12, 20, 22).
NOTE: the garden is NOT open from November to March.
4. John Lennon Wall
Honouring the memory of John Lennon this wall displays the allegory of freedom and creates a much colourful scenery in the hearth of the Lesser town (Malá Strana). During the ´70s especially, the former Czechoslovakia was the decade of repression. Since the Communist regime was installed by the Soviets, it dictated everything from the hairstyle to the music you were allowed to listen. As a result some people stood against authorities, fighting for their rights. For those people John Lennon embodied values like freedom and peace, especially among the younger generation.
As a result of Lennon´s murder, some citizens lost one of their heroes and so they wanted to keep his message alive. They found a wall in a hidden small square and started painting especially lyrics and pictures of Lennon on it. Shortly the police painted over the messages trying to keep their freedom of speech alive, consequently people repainted them. This struggle continued until the Velvet revolution (17th of November 1989), communist times were over and the time to express themselves arrived. The wall was alive again with the difference that no police or most of all government will delete it, as a result now every day you can find something new on it!
5. Vyšehrad Cemetery
This is probably another of the most beautiful places in Prague. First of all up at Vyšehrad (the high castle) you will find St. Peter´s and St. Paul´s basilica housing a most noteworthy cemetery that can be described like an art gallery. This cemetery was established in 1869 especially with the main idea to create a resting place for outstanding Czech personalities. You can find between the headstones politics, sculptors, painters, athletes and the great artist Alphonse Mucha. The main tomb of the cemetery is called Slavín, definitely the masterpiece of the cemetery.
We recommend either walking along the riverside from Charles Bridge all the way to Vyšehrad. Or you can catch tram #17 all the way to Vytoñ tram stop, you can take the red metro line to Vyšehrad.
Discover Prague with one tour: PRAGUE LANDMARK TOUR