Description:
Most likely, you’ll be spending a few days in Prague; soaking up the culture, tasting the food and experiencing the nightlife. But for a brief artsy rush; consider this itinerary which brings you sample highlights of some of the glorious art and architecture the city has to offer.
Start your day gazing at the stunning Obecní dům on náměstí Republiky, probably the best Art Nouveau building in town. Walk down Celetná Street towards Old Town Square. Be sure to notice the gorgeous Cubist building on your left, the House of the Black Madonna. There’s a Cubist museum and great café housed here. Once you get to Old Town Square; the Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque surround you. Most of the buildings were originally built in the Gothic style, but subsequent remodelings in later years led to today’s current hodge-podge. Watch the astronomical clock do its thing at the top of the hour and continue on to cross Charles Bridge; a lovely homage to the Gothic period.
Once across the bridge you will zoom forward centuries by jumping on tram number 12 at Malostranské náměstí and heading for DOX Centre for Contemporary Art. Housed in the emerging Holešovice neighborhood, the museum’s building (a complex of former industrial structures) is as interesting as the exhibitions inside. Displays are always timely and in touch with what’s happening in the outside world; a kind of bridge between art and society.
For contemporary art in a completely different setting, head back into town to the neo-Renaissance behemoth on the river; the Rudolfinum. Split equally between a contemporary art gallery and a concert hall; the building’s stature is impressive while the interiors are a glowing memorial to marble. The gallery’s semi-restrictive space limits their exhibits to pieces that can usually hang on the walls. The Czech Philharmonic regularly plays in the concert hall; so at the end of the day, give your eyes a rest and treat your auditory senses to a world class classical performance.
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DOX Center for Contemporary Art
Contact:
- 420 774 145 434
- visit website
Location:
- Osadní 34
- user rating
Description:
DOX is an independent initiative whose mission is to present contemporary art in the context of issues that shape and are shaped by today's world. Objectives include encouraging the growth of the local artistic community by facilitating collaboration and partnerships among regional and international artists and institutions, examining critical issues that cross boundaries between different fields such as architecture, design, sculpture, painting, photography, film and new media, creating an environment for interaction, development and inspiration of different views and opinions. The aim is not only to present exhibitions and works of art, but also to create a dynamic forum for social interaction.
© Courtesy of DOX -
Old Town Square
Contact:
- 420 221 714 444 (Tourist Information Centre)
Location:
- Staroměstské náměstí
- Prague,Bohemia11000
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Map
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Description:
Since the 10th century, Old Town Square (Staroměstské náměstí) has been the central square in Prague. At its conception, it was the city's main market place. Then, in the 20th century, buildings began to rise around its rim, bringing with them stories of ghosts and intrigue. Now, the square stirs with cafes, souvenir shops, and art galleries. A mixture of Romanesque and Gothic buildings surround the Old Town Square, the most notable being the Old Town City Hall (on whose exterior the Astronomical Clock can be found), the Church of Our Lady before Tyn, St. Nicholas Church, and Kinsky Palace. Old Town Square's centerpiece is a monument to reformer, martyr, and Czech hero, Jan Hus.
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Charles Bridge
Contact:
- +420 2 2171 4444
- visit website
Location:
- Malá Strana
- Prague,Bohemia11000
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Map
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Description:
This stunning stone bridge in the Gothic style replaced the Judith Bridge, which collapsed in a flood. Called the Stone Bridge for several centuries after its construction in 1357, Charles Bridge (Karlův most) connects Old Town to Lesser Town. Allegedly, egg yolks mixed into the mortar strengthened the bridge's construction. Perhaps it is those egg yolks that helped Charles Bridge to survive many disastrous floods. At each end of the bridge stands a tower, like bookends for the row of 30 Baroque statues that have lined the bridge since 1657. Today, Charles Bridge is a constantly bustling pedestrian bridge, lively with artists, musicians, and vendors.
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Rudolfinum
Contact:
- 420 2 2705 9352 (Box Office)
- visit website
Location:
- Alšovo Nábřeží 12
- Prague,Bohemia110 00
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Map
Description:
This elegant sandstone monument by the river is a wonderful place to listen to classical music. An ensemble that many think of as the last proponent of the rich 'Central European sound', considers the main Dvorak Hall its home. This ensemble is the Czech Philharmonic Orchestra, now conducted by the Russian emigré, Vladimir Ashkenazy. Chamber concerts are held in the Suk Hall. When the Czech Philharmonic isn't playing, you can hear anything from provincial Czech orchestras to the excellent Talich Quartet or the Prague Chamber Philharmonic, headed by ex-Czech Philharmonic conductor Jiri Belohlavek. Advance tickets go on sale on the 20th of the preceding month.
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House of the Black Madonna
Contact:
- 420 224 211 746
- visit website
Location:
- Celetna 34
- Prague,Bohemia11000
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Map
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Description:
The House of the Black Madonna (Dům u Černé matky boží) was originally designed by Josef Gocar to be a department store. Completed in July 1912, the building now houses the Czech Museum of Cubism. The architect's first major project, it was a specifically challenging one as it is difficult to harmonize Cubist architecture with the surrounding Baroque, Gothic, and Classical facades. Cubist architecture is an important artistic contribution made by the Czech Republic. It evolved on its own (parallel to, not in response to, Picasso's cubism in painting) in an effort to create synchronize the fluid process of creation with the solid building that results. The museum exhibits works of Czech Cubism, most notably by Josef Capek and Bohumil Kubista. The Grand Café Orient, designed entirely in the Cubist style, can be found on the first floor while exhibitions lie on the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th floors.
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Old Town Hall and Astronomical Clock (The)
Contact:
- +420 2 2448 2751
- visit website
Location:
- Staromestské námestí
- Prague,Bohemia11000
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Map
- user rating
Description:
This is the vortex of tourist activity in Prague, whether it be to catch a glimpse of the clock's elusive statuettes, check out one of the town hall's exhibitions or climb the tower. It was in 1338, during the reign of King John of Luxembourg (1310-1346), that work began on the building of a town hall. The oldest parts of this complex of buildings are the Gothic sections and the tower. In May 1945, the Nazis set fire to the building as their last act during the occupation, but most of the damage has been repaired. The clock originated from the beginning of the 15th century and, every hour, the Twelve Apostles (added in 1490) move across just above the clock face, bowing to the crowd on the square. Finally, the clock strikes the hour.
- Destination(s): Prague
- Type: Arts and Culture,First time visit
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