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One of Prague鈥檚 most iconic landmarks, the Charles Bridge wasn鈥檛 just built; it was timed. Construction began on July 9, 1357, at exactly 5:31 in the morning. The oddly precise timing wasn鈥檛 random. Holy Roman Emperor Charles IV was a firm believer in numerology and astrology. That moment created a palindrome鈥�135797531鈥攚hich, in his mind, would grant the bridge strength and longevity. Whether that worked, or whether the secret ingredient was the rumored mix of eggs, wine, or milk stirred into the foundations, we鈥檒l never know. But over six centuries later, the bridge still stands.

Stretching over the Vltava River, it runs 516 meters long and nearly 10 meters wide, supported by 16 sturdy arches with ice guards to fend off the river鈥檚 freeze. Until 1841, this was the only way to cross from Prague鈥檚 Old Town to the Castle and the Lesser Town. With the boom in traffic in the 20th century, the bridge eventually closed to vehicles and became pedestrian-only in 1978.

Lining both sides are 30 striking Baroque statues, added from the late 1600s through the early 20th century. They complement the Gothic structure underneath and turn any stroll into a kind of open-air museum. As you head toward Lesser Town, keep an eye out for the bronze crucifix鈥攖he oldest statue on the bridge鈥攁s well as the dramatic tableau of Saint Francis Xavier converting four royal figures from faraway lands: an Indian, Moor, Chinese, and Tartar. Perhaps the most famous is the eighth statue on the right: Saint John of Nepomuk, thrown into the river for refusing to betray the Queen鈥檚 confession. Locals say touching his plaque brings luck鈥攐r guarantees you鈥檒l return to Prague one day.

Tip: For a quieter, more magical walk, go at dawn or after sunset鈥攚hen the statues seem to whisper, and the city hushes just long enough to hear them.

Born in 1883 and gone by 1924, Franz Kafka may not be widely claimed as a Czech writer, given that he wrote in German, but he lived almost his entire life in Prague. Haunted by anxiety, alienation, and a sense of bureaucratic absurdity, he became one of the defining voices of modern literature. So it feels entirely appropriate that the city he wandered through and wrestled with is home to a museum dedicated to his complex legacy.

Rather than playing it safe, the museum fully leans into the strangeness of Kafka鈥檚 world. The design is not just a collection of objects behind glass鈥攊t鈥檚 an immersive dive into his eerie, paradoxical universe. While some find the experience a tad eccentric, the curators clearly aimed for atmosphere over traditional museum norms鈥攁nd in that sense, they certainly deserve appreciation for their effort.

Prepared to be greeted by a mix of manuscripts, letters, first editions, photographs, and even old newspaper obituaries, all carefully arranged in moody, dimly lit spaces that feel more like psychological theatre than historical archive. Head down to the basement and the surrealism intensifies. One installation features a menacing model of the torture machine from 鈥淚n the Penal Colony鈥濃�攁 visual that may stick with you long after you leave. Safe to say, it鈥檚 not the best choice for a cheerful family outing or a first date, but for fans of Kafka鈥檚 unnerving narratives, it鈥檚 pure gold.

Upstairs, the experience continues with a blend of audiovisual displays and theatrical effects that capture the themes Kafka lived and wrote鈥攃laustrophobia, isolation, and quiet dread. There鈥檚 a certain brilliance in the way the museum channels not just the man鈥檚 biography, but the emotional texture of his work.

And don鈥檛 forget the courtyard outside, where David 膶ern媒鈥檚 notorious 鈥淧issing Figures鈥� statue steals the spotlight. Two bronze men stand urinating into a pool shaped like the Czech Republic鈥攂oth irreverent and oddly fitting, given Kafka鈥檚 enduring skepticism toward systems and symbols of authority.

Tip: To get the most out of your visit, consider booking a guided tour in advance. Tours are available in several languages, including Czech, English, German, French, and Russian.

Feast your eyes on one of Prague鈥檚 grandest Baroque treasures鈥攁 17th-century palace that marked the city鈥檚 first step into this dramatic architectural style. With high walls, lavish fountains, and elegant symmetry, the Wallenstein Palace and its gardens offer a full-blown sensory experience. Step into the vaulted Renaissance garden hall that opens out to the greenery, and you鈥檒l instantly feel the aristocratic flair that once defined the place.

As you stroll through the carefully manicured paths, take in the statues and fountains scattered across the grounds鈥攈eroic warriors frozen mid-battle, mythological gods locked in eternal drama, and beasts frozen in defeat. And just when you think you鈥檝e seen it all, you come upon the Grotto鈥攁 surreal wall of twisting dripstone that looks like it leapt straight from a dream. Faces emerge from the shadows, odd little creatures peek through the formations, and if you look closely, the rock even hints at mysterious doorways and hidden passages. It鈥檚 equal parts nature, fantasy, and architectural theater.

The man behind all of this splendor was Albrecht von Wallenstein, a military genius who rose to power during the chaos of the Thirty Years鈥� War. In 1622, with the Swedes and Protestant armies threatening, Emperor Ferdinand II turned to Wallenstein for help. Newly enriched by marriage and ambitious as ever, Wallenstein offered to raise and fund an army of twenty thousand men鈥攏o small favor. In gratitude, the emperor rewarded him with vast estates, including the land where this palace now stands.

He didn鈥檛 hesitate to clear the way, demolishing over twenty houses, a brickworks, and several gardens to make room for his vision. And what a vision it was鈥擶allenstein set out to rival Prague Castle itself. Today, much of the palace is home to the Czech Senate, with rooms like the Knight鈥檚 Hall still bearing his larger-than-life presence. There, he鈥檚 immortalized in a fresco as Mars, the Roman god of war, charging ahead in a chariot. The old riding school has also found new life as a space for art exhibitions, bridging the palace鈥檚 past with its cultural present.

Access to the interiors is limited to weekends, but the gardens welcome visitors every day. Look out for the understated entry points鈥攖hey鈥檙e easy to miss, but what lies beyond is anything but forgettable. And if you鈥檙e visiting in summer, don鈥檛 miss the open-air concerts and theater performances that bring new life to these historic grounds.

Since the 10th century, this arcaded square has been a center of activity on the left bank of the river鈥攁 place where merchants once gathered and locals exchanged more than just goods. These days, the rhythm continues with caf茅s, restaurants, and shops drawing in visitors, while weekend markets add extra color and energy.

Among the square鈥檚 most compelling landmarks is the 14th-century Old Town Hall, once the site where non-Catholic nobles drafted the 鈥淐zech Confession鈥� in 1575鈥攁 bold call for religious tolerance addressed to the Habsburg emperor, later enshrined into Czech law. Today, that historic building has a new life as a nightclub and bar. But it鈥檚 the magnificient 18th-century Saint Nicholas Church that truly steals the show. Built over the remains of a Gothic chapel, its interior dazzles with exquisite statuary and a ceiling fresco that stretches across an astonishing 1,500 square meters.

If you鈥檙e sipping coffee at the local Starbucks, you鈥檙e actually seated in what used to be the Gr枚mling Palace鈥攁 prime example of Prague鈥檚 Rococo flair. Across the square at number 18, look for the pistachio-and-vanilla-toned Smi艡ick媒 Palace, easily recognized by its twin turrets. It was here, in 1618, that Protestant leaders convened before launching what would become the infamous Defenestration of Prague鈥攁n act that ignited the Thirty Years' War. Not far from there, the High Baroque Sternberg Palace now houses treasures from the National Gallery.

Commanding a significant portion of the square鈥檚 northern side is the Czech Parliament. So don鈥檛 be surprised to see suited officials weaving through the crowd鈥攋ust another reminder that this historic space remains very much alive.

Towering over Lesser Town is a Baroque masterpiece鈥攐ne of the most recognizable landmarks along Prague鈥檚 left bank. With its colossal green dome and soaring tower, this church was the grandest project of the Jesuits in Bohemia, a bold statement of their significant influence over the region in the 18th century. The contrast between the dome鈥檚 solid breadth and the tower鈥檚 slender elegance adds a distinctive flair to the city鈥檚 silhouette.

Step inside, and you鈥檙e met with a riot of pinks and greens that almost overwhelm the senses. The space is alive with movement鈥攆rom the dynamic statues and vibrant frescoes to the polished, faux-marble columns. At the center, a sweeping ceiling painting brings to life the miracles of Saint Nicholas in true Baroque drama. But it鈥檚 the towering dome that steals the spotlight. Look up, and you鈥檒l find four stern-faced Church Fathers circling the space鈥攐ne of them even clutching a golden thunderbolt as if daring you to question the weight of their message.

The organ alone is worth the visit. Installed in the 1740s and fitted with more than 4,000 pipes, it once echoed with the music of Mozart himself, who played here during his time in Prague. After his death, this is where his Requiem was performed. With such acoustics, it's no wonder the church still hosts classical concerts to this day.

During the communist era, the bell tower wasn鈥檛 just a place of worship鈥攊t also served as a surveillance outpost for State Security, keeping a close eye on the embassies below. Now, you can climb the 299 steps to the gallery, perched 65 meters above the square, and enjoy a fine perspective over Lesser Town and the Charles Bridge beyond.

Passing through the arch beneath the Lesser Town Bridge Towers, you鈥檒l find yourself on Bridge Street鈥攁 narrow cobblestone lane that has connected Charles Bridge to the Lesser Town Square for over 750 years. Framed by a mix of Renaissance, Baroque, and Rococo facades dating between the 14th and 18th centuries, the street feels like a vivid time capsule. Some of the buildings still carry their original decorative touches: a chained bear at No. 4, a striking bronze door at No. 17, three goats at No. 18, and even a bust of cellist Zelenka. With all its character and charm, it鈥檚 no surprise this was once part of the royal coronation route.

Just beyond the towers, on the right side of the street, look for a house marked by three painted ostriches. Once home to Jan Fux, a feather merchant with a flair for fashion, the Renaissance-style building served as both residence and storefront. In 1606, Fux commissioned the bold ostrich design to advertise his trade in luxurious plumes鈥攐strich feathers were all the rage for hats, uniforms, horse trappings, fans, and finery of every sort.

As you continue your stroll, pause to admire the Gothic tower hidden in the courtyard of 鈥淎t the Three Golden Bells,鈥� the intricate ironwork and sculptural details on the 鈥淎t the Black Eagle鈥� house, and the candy-colored, pink-and-yellow Rococo facade of the Kounic Palace.

Toward street鈥檚 lower end, you鈥檒l find a mix of boutique shops, inviting restaurants and bars catering to the stream of passersby. When it鈥檚 time for a break, stop in at ROESEL caf茅鈥攁 warm, family-run spot inside a historic building. Enjoy their daily specials, try a slice of homemade cake with craft beer, and take a moment to explore the mini-exhibition and the charming courtyard.

Though John Lennon never stepped foot in Czechoslovakia, his voice, his message of peace, and his belief in the power of imagination managed to reach across borders鈥攁nd through concrete. After his tragic death in 1980, an anonymous artist painted his portrait on a wall near the French Embassy in Prague, along with lyrics from Beatles songs. It was a bold act of defiance, carried out under a regime that viewed any expression of Western ideals as dangerous subversion.

What began as a quiet tribute quickly became something much more. The wall turned into a living symbol of resistance, where young people scrawled lyrics, poems, and messages of hope鈥攄espite knowing that authorities would rush to whitewash them, again and again. But each time the wall was scrubbed clean, it came back to life overnight, as if the voices of the people simply refused to be silenced.

By 1988, the wall had become a flashpoint. Czech students gathered there to protest the regime, leading to direct confrontations with the security forces. The government tried to dismiss the movement by mocking it, calling the protestors 鈥淟ennonists鈥�, accusing them of drunken rebellion and labeling them tools of Western propaganda. But the label backfired. Lennonism stuck around as a symbol of peaceful resistance and youthful courage.

In 2014, the wall took another turn when a group of local art students painted it entirely white, declaring 鈥淭he Wall is Over.鈥� Rather than ending its story, they invited a new generation to add their own voices. The blank slate was quickly filled again, and in 2019, on the 30th anniversary of the Velvet Revolution, iconic Beatles imagery was restored.

While spray painting is no longer allowed due to preservation efforts, visitors are still welcome to leave their mark using chalk, markers, or pencil. One way or another, the wall continues to speak鈥攁nd to listen.

In one of Prague鈥檚 more unexpected turn of events, the modest-looking Church of Our Lady Victorious has become home to one of the most famous and flamboyant religious figures in Europe: the Infant Jesus of Prague. Housed in a glass case near the altar, this wax figure of a toddler-sized Christ, frozen in regal pose, is known as the 鈥淚nfant Jesus of Prague鈥�. He may look like a pint-sized monarch, but for many, he鈥檚 a vessel of miraculous power.

Though the statue may strike some as over-the-top or even kitschy, its impact is undeniable. Pilgrims travel here from around the world, especially from southern Europe and Poland, to pray before the Infant Jesus. And his fame didn鈥檛 start here. The statue arrived from Spain in the 16th century, already celebrated for its divine aura, and has remained a cherished icon ever since.

Now, what truly sets this holy child apart is his fashion game. With a wardrobe of nearly one hundred ornate outfits, the Infant Jesus could give any royal closet a run for its money. These miniature garments are cared for and changed by Carmelite nuns, who treat each ensemble with the reverence of a sacred ritual. Should you wish to peek behind the seams, a tiny museum above the south aisle staircase showcases a selection of his finest looks, many donated by admirers from across the globe.

For visitors seeking a piece of the divine to call their own, there鈥檚 also a souvenir shop cleverly hidden behind the main altar. There, you can pick up everything from miniature replicas to rosaries, postcards, and candles鈥攑lenty of ways to commemorate your visit, spiritual or otherwise.

And here鈥檚 the miraculous bonus鈥攅ntry to the church is absolutely free.

As you make your way up the slopes of Pet艡铆n Hill, one little structure is bound to catch your eye鈥攁 fairy-tale-like building in neo-Gothic style, complete with turrets and even a mock drawbridge. It might look like a toy castle, but it鈥檚 actually a charming replica of a gate from the ancient Vy拧ehrad fortress. Step inside, and you鈥檒l find one of Prague鈥檚 most whimsical attractions.

Originally built for the Jubilee Exhibition in 1891, the Mirror Maze has since become a beloved spot for families, school groups, and anyone in the mood for a good laugh. Open daily from April to October, it offers affordable fun in a setting that feels like a cross between a carnival and a storybook.

The adventure begins with a maze of 31 mirrors designed to trick your sense of direction鈥攁nd your sense of self. Reflections bounce from wall to wall, turning a simple walk into a playful challenge. Beyond the maze, you鈥檙e also treated to a large-scale diorama depicting the historic Battle of Charles Bridge in 1648, when local students and townspeople famously defended Prague from invading Swedish forces. Spanning 80 square meters, this dramatic scene was painted in just 50 days by brothers Adolf and Karel Liebscher. The level of detail makes it feel more like a stage set than a static image.

And then there鈥檚 the grand finale鈥攖he Laughter Hall. Here, 14 curved mirrors bend and stretch your reflection into all sorts of comical proportions. Tall becomes tiny, wide turns narrow, and everyone leaves with a smile.

After the Eiffel Tower dazzled the world at the 1889 Paris Exposition, Prague felt the urge to add a similar landmark of its own. Just two years later, in 1891, the Pet艡铆n Lookout Tower rose into view鈥攂uilt in an impressive four months as part of the General Land Centennial Exhibition.

Though only 60 meters tall, its position atop Pet艡铆n Hill gives it a commanding presence, offering views that rival those from much taller structures. And while it clearly takes inspiration from its Parisian cousin, this Czech version has a personality of its own鈥攎ost notably, an octagonal base rather than a square one.

When first unveiled, the tower featured a small elevator powered by gas, later upgraded to electric. In 1953, it gained new importance as a broadcasting tower, when engineers installed a television antenna to serve the growing needs of postwar Czechoslovakia. Then, a major renovation completed in 2002 brought modern upgrades, including a new lift to improve access for elderly visitors and those with limited mobility.

For everyone else, the real thrill lies in the climb鈥�299 steps winding upward in a gentle spiral. Separate staircases for going up and coming down keep the flow smooth, and the reward at the top is well worth the effort: sweeping panoramic views of Prague, with its red rooftops, church spires, and winding Vltava River.

A visit to the tower also pairs beautifully with a stroll through Pet艡铆n Hill. If you're up for a scenic walk, you can make your way on foot, either climbing from the base or descending from the top. However you arrive, you鈥檒l be rewarded with one of the most spectacular vantage points in the city.

Tip: The easiest way to reach the top is by taking the funicular from the Pet艡铆n station near the 脷jezd tram stop. Just make sure to validate your public transport ticket before boarding.