Riddled with cobbled streets and endowed with a fascinating history, Prague reunites the enigma of the past with its contemporary, nonchalant stance. While you revel in a smorgasbord of cultures that it offers, an intertwined network of alleys and passageways take you in history’s deepest corners. The burgeoning Prague tourism may set the discerned traveller back. However, Prague possesses a romantic aura that gradually transcends the bedlam of tourists. For an aesthetic experience, we recommend a hotel booking in some of the unmapped routes in its neighbourhood. Here are some interesting tit-bits about Prague that you should know before visiting it.
1. A melting pot of cultures, Prague’s history dates back to the 4th and 5th century of the Palaeolithic age. Today, it is the largest city in the Czech Republic with more than 1.2 million residents.
2. Prague, the capital of Czech Republic, consists of 10 distinct districts. Thanks to the excellent public transport, getting around it is very convenient.
3. Once a silent hideout, Prague is now one of the most visited cities in Europe. It is the largest city in the Czech Republic.
4. Although a 10th-century marketplace, the Old Town Square has many buildings from the 12th and 13th century. Its famous Astronomical Clock was installed in 1410 and is regarded as one of the oldest functioning clocks in the world.
5. The Astronomical Clock shows the relative positioning of the sun, moon, zodiac constellations and planets. Every time the clock strikes an hour, a sinister figurine of death that strikes time emerges alongside an entourage of 12 apostles.
6. The Prague Castle is accorded the status of being the most ancient castle in the world by the Guinness World Records. The 9th-century castle sprawls over a land of 750,000 sq ft and houses the St Vitus Cathedral and the St. George’s Basilica along with other buildings and courtyards.
7. The John Lennon Wall in Mala Strana has stood the test of time and politics since it was first painted in 1980. Notwithstanding the many protests and layers of whitewash, the wall today, stands as a testimony of love and peace - a symbol of freedom of speech. It has Lennon-inspired graffiti and lyrics from The Beatles songs' all over it.
8. Albeit being very famous, the Old Town Square is bustling with a lot of tourists all year round. As a result, the restaurants are steeply priced. It is recommended that you avoid eating here, and instead go to lesser-known districts and uncover lost gems where you can schmooze with the locals and not the tourists.