Hradčany and Nový Svět

We are now at the very edge of the historical town of Hradčany and thus inside the Prague Unesco World Heritage Site.The Břevnov borough is behind us as well as being behind one of the last remaining parts of Prague fortification walls dating from the 17th century. It has been part of Prague since only the 20th century.
The road going up leads to the Petřín Hill and the Petřín Tower. We are now standing in front of the grandiose Baroque gate of the Strahov Monastery founded after 1140, near the road leading to the former Royal Castle (today's Prague Castle). The name "Strahov" is

The monastery has been restored and is now used by the Premonstratensian Order again since 1990. The church of the Assumption of Virgin Mary is Baroque, but originally a Romanesque basilica from the 12th century. The remains of St. Norbert, founder of the Premonstratensian Order, are deposited here. His remains were transferred here from Magdeburg in 1627. Mozart used to play the organ here. The monastery library, the entrance of which is decorated with a medallion of Joseph the Second, shows how important the development of education and culture was

The terrace and its vineyard offers a magnificent view of Prague. The Petřín Hill and the tower have attracted the attention since 1891. It is a miniature copy of the Eiffel Tower in Paris. At your feet, you can see the Lesser Town with St. Mikuláš. Next, you can see the Charles Bridge arching over the Vltava River. Composer Smetana includes the river in his symphonic poem, also named Vltava. The Old Town shows its towers and the church of the Virgin Mary before the Týn (Old Town Square) is clearly visible. The horizon reveals the most modern

The name Pohořelec is very old, 14th century. This area was ablaze many times and the name reflects that fact. In the upper part, we find the former Hradčany Neo-Renaissance military barracks. Between the barracks and the Jan Kepler High School, behind the tram stop, stands a dual sculpture of Danish astronomer Tycho de Brahe and German mathematician and astronomer Jan Kepler, both renowned scientists during Rudolf the Second´s reign. The sculpture reminds us of a house, which was supposedly occupied by these two scientists and which was later demolished when the fortification

The Loreta Square is one of the most beautiful place in Prague. The Černínský Palace today houses the Czech Ministry of Foreign Affairs. It is the largest and most monumental Baroque palace in Prague. It was founded in 1669 by H. J. Černín of Chudenice, Imperial Ambassador to Venice, based on architect Caratti´s project. The facade is 150 meters long. There is a statue of second Czechoslovak President Edvard

The name Loreta comes from the Italian pilgrimage place Loreta, where the "Santa Casa" (Saint House) is situated. It was originally a dwelling in Nazareth, Palestine, where the Virgin Mary lived. Archangel Gabriel supposedly predicted the birth of Jesus Christ there. A legend says that once danger was looming, but there was a miracle and the house was transported by angels to Loreta in Italy. The Prague Loreta is a truly architectural jewel founded in 1626. The High Baroque facade is dominated by a tower from 1693, which is known for its chime,

All of a sudden, we are in a different world. This is a former suburb of Hradčany. It was founded shortly after forming the town of Hradčany in the 14th century. Then, it was a quarter for the less prosperous citizens, it is today attractive thanks to its picturesque and ancient character. The name probably originates from it being outside of the city proper, hence "Nový Svět" (New World). Nowadays the Prague residents like this place very much and come for walks here. The oldest document about the house u Raka dates

The originally Gothic Building u Zlaté Hrušky has a nice Baroque stucco facade from the first half of the 18th century. A restaurant of the same name is situated here. The restaurant was a place favoured by many famous personalities, for instance Václav Havel. The garden restaurant on the opposite side belongs to it as well. A plaque reminds us that Tycho de Brahe lived in the house next door, he was court astronomer and astrologist to Emperor Rudolf the Second. Tycho de Brahe, who cooperated with Jan Kepler, was ceremonially buried in Týnský church in the Old Town.

The church of St. Jan Nepomucký is Baroque architect K. I. Dientzenhofer´s oldest religious building in Prague, built between 1720 and 1729. It was originally built for the neighboring Ursuline Convent, which was closed down in the 18th century and then turned into military barracks. The church facade is decorated with a sculpture of St. Jan Nepomucký and the

The Hradčany City Hall is a Renaissance building from 1598. Its facade is decorated with sgraffito with the remains of the Imperial Seal and the Hradčany Seal, and with an allegory named "Spravedlnost" (Justice). The town hall is one of the few that are not situated on the square. The Hradčany Town Hall lost its function after the end of the independent administration of Prague towns in 1784. It is now a residential house. The embossed portal features the Seal of Hradčany. The letter "H" on the gate stands for Hradčany. The narrow metal strip used

You are now in the biggest square of Hradčany. The name Hradčany refers to the serfdom town beneath the "Hrad" (Castle) that it once was. The 1541 fire freed the place allowing for new palaces to be built by lay and church lords. They were trying to have their houses built close to the Emperor's estate. The Romanesque Baroque Toskánský Palace was designed by J. B. Mathey. The facade is decorated with the seals of Tuscan Grand Dukes, the attic with an allegory of free arts, and there is a statue of St. Michael in the corner, he is patron of the palace builder. Currently, the Toskánský Palace is used by the Ministry

The Plague Pillar of the Virgin Mary with sculptures of saints was consecrated in 1736. The nights will entice you with 19th century gas street lamps. The Schwarzenberg Palace is one of the best-preserved Renaissance palaces in Prague. The last member of the Schwarzenberg family, Karel Schwarzenberg, was until recently the Czech Republic Foreign

In 2000, a monument of T. G. Masaryk (1850 - 1937) was unveiled on the occasion of the 150th anniversary of the first Czechoslovak President´s birth. The monument reminds us that Prague Castle became the presidential residence during T. G. Masaryk´s Presidency. His portrait is on the 5000 CZK banknote which is the highest denomination. The Archbishop Palace is a monumental late Baroque structure. Archbishop Příchovský´s emblem decorates the frontage. The building is still the archbishop´s official residence in Prague. The passage next