Prague information

General information

  Prague sits amid the gentle landscapes of the Bohemian plateau, straddling the Vltava River, the Czech Republic's longest river. Central Prague consists of five historical towns: Hradcany, the castle district, on a hill above the west bank; Malá Strana, the 13th-century 'Little Quarter', between the river and castle; Staré Mêsto, the gothic 'Old Town' on the Vltava's east bank; adjacent Josefov, the former Jewish ghetto; and Nové Mêsto or 'New Town,' (new in the 14th century), to the south and east of Staré Mêsto.

Within these historical districts - linked by the landmark Charles Bridge - are most of the city's attractions. The whole compact maze is best appreciated on foot, aided by Prague's fine public transportation system. Beyond the centre is 19th- and 20th-century Prague, many of whose districts began as separate towns.

The capital of the Czech Republic, is our most valuable historical city reserve. In 1992 the historical core of the city covering 866 hectares was listed in the UNESCO World Cultural and Natural Heritage Register.

„Praga caput regni“ has been inscribed in the Prague´s coat of arms. Since its beginnings Prague has always played an important role in the history of the nation, the country and Europe.
Since the Middle Ages Prague has been famous as one of the most beautiful cities of the world, and has been attributed adjectives such as „golden", „hundred-spired", „the crown of the world", „a stone dream". Throughout centuries prominent personalities paid homage to it. W. A. Mozart, L. van Beethoven, F. M. Dostojevsky, A. Rodin, G. Apollinaire, P. I. Tchaikovsky, O. Kokoschka and also the British Queen Elizabeth II and Pope John Paul II professed their beguilement by its attractiveness and architectural beauty. The native town is reflected in the works of Jan Neruda, Jaroslav Hasek, Jaroslav Seifert, Franz Kafka, Max Brod or Egon Erwin Kisch. Prague represents a unique collection of historical monuments dominated by the Prague Castle which towers high above the city. It is a specimen of all artistic styles and movements. The historical core of the city is situated on both banks of the Vltava river and consists of 6 parts - formerly independent urban units unified in the 18th century. Most of the historical monuments, museums and galleries are concentrated right there.
The most beautiful views of the city are Smetanovo nabrezi (embankment) - Novotneho lavka, the Old Town Hall Tower, the Powder Tower, the Old Town Bridge Tower, the Lesser Town Bridge Tower, St. Vitus, St. Wenceslas and St. Adalbert Cathedral Tower, the Prague Castle ramp on Hradcanske namesti, Petrin View-Tower, Letna Park - Hanauer Pavilion, belfry of the St. Nicholas church, Zizkov TV tower, Vysehrad.
  Weather Overview
Prague lies in the transitional area between maritime and continental climates, characterised by hot, showery summers, cold, snowy winters and generally changeable conditions. A typical day in Prague from June to August sees the mercury range from about 12°C (54°F) to 22°C (72°F). Temperatures from December to February push below freezing. Wide variations are common, sometimes surpassing 35°C (95°F) in summer and -20°C (-4°F) in winter. The closest thing to a 'dry season' is from January to March, when total precipitation (mostly as snow at that time) is less than a third of that during the wettest months, June to August. And yet January averages as many 'wet' days (about two out of five) as the summer months do. The summer's long, sunny, hot spells tend to be broken by sudden, heavy thunderstorms. May and September have the most pleasant weather.