17 minute read
facts & info
[ → ] WELCOME TO PRAGUE!
Welcome to Prague! Whether you‘ve just landed with plane, arrived by train, bus or car, we have very important information about how to get to the city centre using all possible types of transport, without wasting more money than it’s necessary.
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↓1. PRAGUE BY PLANE
The airport is located on the northwest edge of Prague, about 20 kilometres (12 miles) from the centre of the metropolis. Your money can be changed in the currency exchange offices or kiosks situated in the airport. Important phone numbers include +420 220 111 888 (General info line - nonstop operation) and +420 220 115 005 (Lost and Found service).
↓ HOW TO GET TO THE CITY CENTER
If you‘ve just arrived at the airport, getting to the centre will take about twenty to thirty minutes depending on traffic (if you use a taxi or shuttle service you will find necessary information below). If you choose cheaper but less convenient public transport you have to expect fifty minutes on the road.
↓...BY PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION
The bus is the cheapest way to get to the city centre. The disadvantage may be that you need to buy a bus ticket paid in Czech crowns or with credit card. To get the cash, you can use ATMs in the arrival halls of the airport. Or you can buy the actual ticket directly in a kiosk or at the information counter in both arrival halls (open from 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.). Furthermore, in the vending machines, located next to the bus stop, or directly from the bus driver (it will cost you a few crowns more). The ticket price is 32 CZK for a transfer ticket, with which you can freely switch among bus, tram and subway for 90 minutes. On the shorter distance and duration of 30 minutes you can use the ticket for 24 CZK (with this ticket, however, it is not allowed to switch among the types of transport). If you have more luggages, you will pay 16 Czech crowns extra.
BUS # 119
This is the most likely choice for most people because the BUS # 119 provides the fastest connec-
MUSEUM KAMPA
MASTERS OF WORLD ART
facts & info tion to the historic city centre. Depending on the time of day, the bus runs every 7-20 minutes and gets you to subway line A. After boarding remember to „click“ the ticket. Get off at the station Veleslavín (journey from the airport to the subway takes about 15 minutes). Subway entrance is located few steps from the bus stop. The bus runs from 4:23 a.m. until 11:45 p.m. at night.
BUS # 100
BUS # 100 connects the airport with the subway line B, get off at the final stop, which is called Zličín. BUS # 100 runs every 15 minutes throughout the day and every 30 minutes after 7 p.m. The ride takes about 18 minutes, but expect another 20-minute subway ride, if your goal is to get to the city centre (Zličín is the final stop of subway line B). Bus runs 5:41 a.m. to 11:36 p.m. hours.
AIRPORT EXPRESS BUS
Airport Express Bus service connects the airport with the Prague‘s Main Railway Station and runs every 30 minutes and the journey takes about 35 minutes. You can use the Prague public transport fares or special fares: Tickets for AE can be bought only from the driver for 60 crowns (no additional charge for luggage). AE runs 5:30 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.
TRAVELLING AT NIGHT
If you have to use public transport at night, the best option is the BUS # 510, which runs between midnight and 3:26 a.m. and connects the air-port with stop at Divoká Šárka. Afterwards take the TRAM # 51 which will go to the city centre. Night BUS # 510 runs every 30 minutes.
↓...BY TAXI
Companies of Taxi Praha and FIX are managing the taxi service from the Václav Havel Airport. Customers can enjoy free Wi-Fi, ensured availability of cars within 5 minutes of interest order in 24 hours a day, maximally 3-years old cars, advanced language skills of drivers, friendly demeanour, maintaining cleanliness and representative wear of vehicle drivers. Labelled taxis are waiting at the Václav Havel airport in two places – at Terminal 1 at the parking lot P1 EXPRESS and at Terminal 2 at the parking lot P2 EXPRESS - departures. Prices are not burdened with airport charges and therefore are considerably lower, while maintaining a high comfort of vehicles. One-time departure rate is 40 CZK and 1 km will cost 23.90 CZK (order taxi through dispatch call 14 014, +420 222 333 222, 729 331 133).
2. GETTING TO PRAGUE BY TRAIN
International trains stop at the central train station - Prague Main Railway Station. The station is directly connected to the subway station (line C), and is just a few steps away from the city centre, from Wenceslas Square. If you drive here after dark, we recommend you to go to Wenceslas Square subway (do not forget to buy a ticket). Most of the station is renovated and offers a modern look with plenty of stalls, shops and fast-food restaurants.
3. ARRIVAL BY BUS
Florenc is the central bus station. Located in the heart of the city and directly adjacent to the subway station Florenc (it is a transfer station between subway lines B and C). As well as the main train station, Florenc underwent a costly renovation and now boasts with very pleasant and clean halls for arrival and departure, kiosks and fast food restaurants (Burger King, etc.). And most importantly, there are a large digital boards showing departure / arrivals times of buses and associated boarding platform.
4. ARRIVAL BY CAR
Prague, like most European cities, suffers from very heavy traffic and lack of freely available parking spaces (the street with blue coloured areas are reserved for residents and you risk stripping off your car when you park there). That is why we recommend the use so-called P + R (Park and Ride) parking lot, located close to all major highways. More info on www.dpp.cz/en/parking.
5. SUBWAY
The Prague subway consists of three lines - A (green), B (yellow) and C (red). Subway in Prague is designed so that it gets you to all historically and logistically important locations (or at least near). Subway is clear and many stations recently underwent large renovations.
PUBLIC TRANSPORT
accurate and its network covers the whole city. Price 32 CZK for a transfer ticket is very reasonable.
Tickets for public transport can be purchased at many vending machines at all metro stations and many tram stops (paid with coins or with a credit card), or in most tobacco shops / kiosks. You can also use the SMS ticket. Send a message on 902 06 and receive a return SMS with a valid ticket.
24 hours ticket: 120 CZK 3-day ticket (72 hours): 330 CZK
One-off ticket:
30 min. / 5 stops / Non-transfer tickets: 30 CZK 90 min. / Transfer ticket: 40 CZK
Do not forget to mark the ticket at the first entrance to the subway / boarding the tram or bus. (Ie. Insert a ticket into one of the yellow boxes and have it printed with date and time)
SMS ticket:
Send SMS on number 902 06, which ticket you require:
DPT42 - transfer ticket of 90 minutes for 42 CZK DPT31 – non-transferable ticket of 30 minutes for 31 CZK DPT120 – one day transfer ticket for CZK 120 DPT330 – a three-day transfer ticket for 330 CZK
More information on Prague‘s public transport can be found at www.dpp.cz or on free infoline + 420 296 191 817.
facts & info For over 1000 years, Prague has served as the political, cultural and economic centre of the Czech state. Having been the seat of two Holy Roman Emperors during the gothic and renaissance periods, it also had the status of the Holy Roman Empire capital. Prague’s history commenced in the year 870, although evidence shows the area had been inhabited since the Stone Age. The city flourished during the 14th century, under the reign of King Charles IV, who, among other deeds, ordered the building of the famous Charles Bridge or Saint Vitus Cathedral, the oldest gothic cathedral in central Europe, and Charles University, the oldest university in central Europe. Prague was then the third-largest city in Europe. Now home to some 1.2 million inhabitants, Prague became the capital of the newly set up Czechoslovakia in 1918, with the end of WW I and the dissolution of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. In 1992, Prague’s historic center became a UNESCO world heritage site, and is currently one of the world’s most popular tourist destinations.
PRAŠNÁ BRÁNA
PRAGUE 1, NÁMĚSTÍ REPUBLIKY 5
The Powder Gate (Prašná brána) is a late-Gothic structure and one of the most important monuments of medieval Prague. It was here that the Royal Route began and where one of the main roads from Kutná Hora, where silver was mined into the royal treasury, led. The Powder Gate was built in place of the older Gate tower, related to the fortification of the Old Town of Prague from the time of Václav II‘s reign. The older tower was known as the Mountain Gate.The Powder Gate was designed largely as a representative symbol as well as a customs collection point. Its construction began in 1475. From about 1715 it served as a firepowder warehouse, hence the name ‚‘Powder‘‘. During the Prussia siege of Prague in 1757, the tower was considerably destroyed. Today‘s appearance was not acquired by the tower until 18781886 for a fresh look treatment, led by architect Josef Mocker. The draft was the Old Town Bridge Tower.
CHRÁM MATKY BOŽÍ PŘED TÝNEM
PRAGUE 1, STAROMĚSTSKÉ NÁMĚSTÍ
Mother of God Church Before Thine (Kostel Matky Boží v před Týnem) is located in the Old Town of Prague, close to Old Town Square. Its construction ran from the mind-14th century to the first decades of the 16th century.
It is among Prague´s most artistically important churches, architecturaland its surviving internal mobilizer. Its western front, applying towards the square, is one of Prague‘s most famous dominants.
STAROMĚSTSKÝ ORLOJ
PRAGUE 1, STAROMĚTSKÉ NÁMĚSTÍ
The Old Town Square of the Old Town Orloj (Staroměstský orloj) are medieval astronomical clocks located on the south side of the Old Town Hall tower in Prague.
The first written reference to Orloj dates back to 1410.The clock is made up of several parts - apart froman astronomical and calendar plate, it is fitted with the mechanism of twelve apostles, who appear in two small windows every entire hour (9.00 - 11p.m.). In a parade of apostles, another mannequin on the sides of the clock comes alive in mechanical motion - the reaper ringing, turning the hourglass, indicating to thestanding Turk that his time is up.
He‘s shaking his head away. Vanity and Lakomec behave similarly. The sought-after Orloj is part of the historic centre of Prague,belonging to the UNESCO list of cultural monuments.
CHARLES BRIDGE
Karlův most, Prague 1 The Czech Republic’s capital is full of amazing sights of great value. But Charles Bridge definitely belongs among the TOP 5 most amazing ones. Not only is this medieval building one of the most famous bridges in the world, but it is also inseparably connected to the most glamorous era of Prague and – last but not least – it just might be the most beautiful bridge in Europe. And we are not exaggerating at all. Charles Bridge is 516 meters long, 9.5 meters wide, 13 meters high, and stands on 15 pillars. It’s also the part of the so-called Royal Route.
JEWISH MUSEUM
U staré školy 141/1, Josefov, Prague 1 www.jewishmuseum.cz
The Prague´s Jewish Museum was founded in 1906. It was founded by Dr. Salomon Hugo Lieben, historian, and Dr. August Stein, a representative of the Czech-Jewish movement and later chairman of the Prague Jewish Community. It was supposed to collect documents on the history, traditions and habits of the Jewish population in Bohemia and Moravia. The Jewish Museum owns rich collections of silver, textiles and has one of the most extensive Jewish artefacts in the world. It contains 40 000 artefacts and 100 000 books. It is unique not only for the number of the artefacts, but above all for the fact that they were collected in a single integral territory, i.e. Bohemia and Moravia.
THE NATIONAL MEMORIAL SITE AT VÍTKOV, PRAGUE
Národní památník na Vítkově, Prague 3 Phone: +420 224 497 607, www.nm.cz
It is one of the most dominant landmarks of the modern city of Prague and a national cultural monument situated just above steep slopes of the Žižkov hill. An integral part of the Memorial is the largest equestrian sculpture in Central Europe, of Jan Žižka of Trocnov, created by the sculptor Bohumil Kafka. The Memorial was built in 1929-1938 to honour those who participated in the struggle for the establishment of the Czechoslovak Republic (the National Liberation Memorial). During the Nazi of occupation in 1939-1945, it served as a military material warehouse. It was modified and extended once more after 1945. After 1948, it was misused for the Communist regime propaganda.
KAMPA
Vodičkova 18, Prague 1 Phone.:+420 221 097 111 www.praha1.cz
A small romantic island called Kampa positioned on the Vltava River in the centre of Prague is scenic place offering a walk among small ancient picturesque houses. In fact it is not a natural island as it was separated from the Lesser Town by an artificial mill raceway called Čertovka (Devil´s Creek). The group of houses among which the Čertovka flows is known as the Prague´s Venice. Natural alluvial deposits and made up grounds material, gradually extended the area of the island especially after the great fire of the Lesser Town and the Castle in 1541. Today, it is a place where the Kampa Museum has its seat. Here, you can see collections of 20th century artworks
THE MUNICIPAL HOUSE
nám. Republiky 5, Prague 1 Phone: +420 222 002 101 info@obecnidum.cz www.obecnidum.cz
THE CHURCH OF SAINT NICHOLAS IN PRGUE
Malostranské náměstí, Prague 1 Phone: +420 257 534 215 www.stnicholas.cz
The church of Saint Nicholas at the Lesser Town belongs to prominent Europe´s Baroque structures. Sometimes, it is referred to as the most beautiful Czech Baroque building. Its massive dome and slender tower are an inseparable part of the panorama of the Prague Castle. Surprisingly, its belfry tower is not a part of the church. There is a separate entrance to it. In addition to the church, your climb to the belfry tower that offers a view of the Lesser Town and hosts a new permanent exhibition called “Custos Turris / the Guardian of the City“. The older exhibition is called The Older Tower Keeper’s Apartment.
The Municipal House is a marvellous example of the Prague Art Nouveau architecture. It was designed by Antonín Balšánek and Osvald Polívka on the site of the former King‘s Court. The extensive building houses a concert hall, café and exquisite French restaurant. You can take part in guided tours of the Municipal House with expert comments. Visitors have a unique opportunity to see various halls and lounges where hundreds of important social and cultural eventS take place every year. The tour also includes the visit of the Smetana Hall, a famous concert hall with the capacity of 1200 seats and an original organ from the culminating phase of the Art Nouveau period.
THE VRTBA GARDEN
Karmelitská 25, Malá strana Phone: +420 272 088 350-52 zahrada@vrtbovska.cz www.vrtbovska.cz The Vrtba Garden is one of the Baroque gardens that complete the beauty of Petřín. It consists of terraces at three height levels that are connected by wide staircases. The garden has an area of 0.31 hectares and the highest point is 212 m above sea level. It is one of the most beautiful gardens of this kind north of the Alps. That‘s why it is listed on the UNESCO World Heritage List. It is accessible from Karmelitská Street.The fairy-tale environment enchants with beautiful flower beds, antique sculptures, an aviary, fountains, a vantage point and the studio of Mikoláš Aleš. The Vrtba Garden offers a beautiful view of the Prague Castle and the roofs of the houses of Lesser Town (Malá Strana).
NOVÝ SVĚT
Hradčany, Nový Svět, Prague 1
Many people do not have any idea hat almost in the centre of Prague there is a small town with its own poetry and identity. The Nový Svět area is a kind of a small district in the immediate vicinity of the Prague Castle, full of picturesque corners and harmony. Actually, it was a suburb of the Castle Area (Hradčany) that was founded in the mid-14th century along an old road heading the village of Střešovice. In 1360, it became a part of Hradčany by decision of the emperor Charles IV. It was integrated to the designed city fortification system. The origin of this part of Hradčany is not exactly known, but it was probably a forecourt of the Prague Castle positioned on a gradually filled ravine and the Brusnice stream valley.
PETŘÍN HILL
Petřínský vrch, Prague 1
Petřín is a 327metre high hill in the centre of Prague. It features a distinctive landmark of the city of Prague, in particular when viewed from the right- hand bank of the Vltava River. The hills is built primarily of sandstone rocks. Therefore, sandstone quarries used to be since ancient times. The name of Petřín (Peter´s Hill) is believed to refer to numerous rocks. Nearby the St. Lawrence church, there used to be the execution place. After the completion of the erection of the Hunger Wall, the execution place was moved to the opposite Vítkov hill. The most popular way to get to the Petřín Hill is to take the cable car. This the oldest ground cable way in the country. Its length is 510 m.
CHRISTMAS CUT OUT OF PAPER IN BETHLEHEM CHAPEL 2022
Paper cut-out nativity scenes appeared in the Czech Republic sometime before 1850. Originally, they were black and white printed sheets that were simply coloured with basic colours. The first significant venture in this field was the publication of three colour crib sheets by Mikoláš Aleš in 1902, and two years later he added another sheet. This nativity scene has been published to this day and is always sold out early.
Paper cribs from the Ústí nad Orlicí and Třebíč Regions have a great tradition in the Czech Republic. The building of these cribs in households has continued to this day, with some cribs containing several thousand figures of various ages and from different makers. The figurines in these cribs are mostly based on Czech folk traditions.
Christmas decorations were also made from paper. Originally, they were chromolithographically printed artefacts on thin paper. These are images that, when cut out, were glued onto various ornaments made of cardboard, cotton wool, papier-mâché, etc. They were also various ornaments made of pressed cardboard and again from papier-mâché. We will try to get all this in its original form, or at least make illustrative copies. In this context, we would like to invite exhibitors to use different forms of paper to create Christmas decorations based on old technologies and designs. However, we also welcome newly created and original paper ornaments and various paper chains.
The main aim of the exhibition Christmas cut out of paper will be to show the unmistakable charm of classic Czech folk Christmas. Therefore, the “paper exhibits” will be supplemented by nativity scenes and other traditional objects made of many other materials.
This time, the organisers will enrich the traditional demonstrations of folk crafts with the creation of handmade paper and the creation of various objects from papier-mâché. However, traditional meetings of woodcarvers, lace makers and other crafts are also planned. Among the exhibitors and demonstrators there will again be several deserving carriers of the folk craft tradition.
This year‘s exhibition will also feature the popular podium, where various groups and individuals will once again have the opportunity to sing carols and Christmas songs and present Christmas games.
