Located in Central Bohemia on the Vltava River, Prague has overcome its history of civil unrest to become one of the favoured tourist destinations of Eastern Europe.
In periods throughout the Renaissance and Gothic eras, Prague held the permanent seat of two Holy Roman Emperors, making it the capital of the Holy Roman Empire. The historic centre of Prague is a world-heritage-listed site and features many architectural delights and, in some cases, consternations.
Here are just a few of the significant architectural sites of Prague:
Charles Bridge:
One of the most romantic sites in Prague, this bridge is a 14th-century bridge named so after King Charles IV who commissioned its construction. With beautiful views of the city’s skyline and elegant buildings nestled at each end, the Charles Bridge is one of Praque’s most popular attractions.
Astronomical Clock:
Located in Prague’s Old Town Square on the southern wall of the Old Town City Hall, the Astronomical Clock or ‘Orloj’, as it is also known, is composed of three parts –a calendar dial with medallions each representing the months of the year, an astronomical dial that depicts the position of the sun and moon in addition to other astronomical details, and ‘The Walk of Apostles’ that created an hourly show of apostles.
The Dancing House:
Designed by renowned architect Frank Gehry, the Dancing House occupies the site of what was once a neo-Renaissance style house that was obliterated during a bombing in 1945. Dutch bank ING then purchased the site and commissioned Gehry, with an almost limitless budget, to create an iconic building that would forever be associated with the bank in Prague. The building’s architecture is intended to depict a man and a woman dancing together.
Travel packages to Prague are available through RACQ Travel.
