About Prague

Prague, the capital of the Czech Republic, lies right in the heart of Europe, beside Germany, Austria, Slovakia and Poland. The most commonly spoken languages here are Czech and Slovak, though most people in Prague speak English or German, too. Prague has played an important role in the history of the Czech Republic and Europe. Since the Middle Ages, Prague has been recognized as one of the world's most beautiful cities. It has been called "golden," "the crown of the world" and "a stone dream." As a member of the European Union, the Czech Republic is part of the world's largest economy and Europe's gateway to the expanding economies to the east.

In 1992, the historical centre of Prague was listed in the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization's (UNESCO) World Cultural and Natural Heritage Register. Prague was also one of nine cities awarded by the European Community the title of "European City of Culture" for the year 2000. For centuries, prominent personalities have paid homage to Prague. Mozart, Beethoven, Dostojevsky, Tchaikovsky and even the British Queen Elizabeth II and Pope John Paul II professed their appreciation of its beauty. The native town of Prague is reflected in the works of Jan Neruda, Jaroslav Hasek, Franz Kafka, Max Brod and Egon Erwin Kisch.

Prague represents a unique collection of historical monuments, museums and galleries 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, the longest Czech River. This area consists of six parts, all formerly independent urban units that were unified in the 18th century. Many picturesque areas are scattered along the Vltava River and its charming Certovka arm. The Charles Bridge and its beautiful panoramic view of the town are admired by hundreds of thousands of visitors every year. When choosing your new Prague apartment for rent or Prague apartment for sale, Prague commercial or retail space, coming to Prague for holidays and choosing your Prague short term apartment – learn more about Prague neighbourhoods.

KNOW YOUR NEIGHBORHOODS

OLD TOWN

Officially founded in the early-13th Century but settled hundreds of years earlier, Old Town (Staré Město) is, well, old. Security-obsessed natives nestled their town inside a right-angle bend in the river, so that it´s cradled on two sides by a natural moat. On the town´s backside, fortifications were built and an artificial moat was dug, creating a ring of water and walls that enabled Prague to develop into a cultural, economic and religious island in the middle of a hostile, poor and pagan Mittle-Europa sea. Today, Old Town continues to be the humming city´s hub and is still very much an international meeting-and market-place. This is the center of old style Prague apartments, great Prague commercial spaces and wher you´ll find majority od Prague apartments for short term rentals.

JOSEFOV

For more than six hundred years, until it was demolished in the late-19th century, Prague´s Jewish ghetto nuzzled up against the north side of Old Town Square. However, at the turn of the 20th century Josefov´s inhabitants were forcibly removed, houses were raised wholesale and streets were completely restructured in a land grab masquerading as a sanitation project. You see, this is some of the most coveted real estate in town. In the old ghetto´s place arose fantastically-sculpted apartment buildings fronting bucolic tree lined streets. Pařížská Pařížská ( street with the most elegent Prague apartments) , named for the city of Paris, is the quarter´s main thoroughfare and home to swanky shops. Josefov was named after Joseph II, a late-18th century king who passed laws that were relatively tolerant of the city´s Jewish population. But, today, only a small clutch of ancient synagogues and an intensely overcrowded old cemetery recall the quarter´s roots.

MALÁ STRANA

From Old Town, cross the famous Charles Bridge and you´re transported to Malá Strana, an ancient fantasyland with one foot in the river and the other firmly planted on the castle hill. The neighborhood´s name translates awkwardly into English as the „Lesser Side“ or the „Little Quarter“ but there is nothing ungraceful about district´s exquisite architecture and perfect antique cobblestone streets. Virtually unchaged for centuries, Malá Strana ´s narrows lanes and high-baroque buildings are coveted backdrops for an endless series of European costume dramas including Amadeus and Les Miserables. Home to the Czech Parliament, government ministries and lots of foreign embassies, this quarter has the fewest residents and the best restaurants per square foot of any section of town. Dotted with grand aristocratic palaces and riddled with secret gardens, we can thing of no better urban activity than to get lost in these dreamlike back streets. . Living in this part of the town means you´ll be surronded by medieval atmosphere in your Prague apartment, many Prague vacation apartments are lovated in this charming area too.

NEW TOWN

The creation of New Town (Nové Město) in the 14th century effectively expanded Prague´s borders and made the walls around Old Town superfluous. The district was founded in the time of Charles IV, a particularly entlightened emperor of the Holy Roman Empire who moved his court to Prague, built Charles Bridge and Charles University and presided over an era of prosperity that came to be known as the First Golden Age of Prague. There´s not much in New Town that remains from the 14th century as most of the area´s office buildings and apartment houses were erected during the last two hundred years. Today, New Town is mostly a work-a-day place that lacks the cobblestone charm of older parts of the city. But some of the city´s best shops and restaurants are here, especially on Na Příkopě and Wenceslas Square (Václavské náměstí). ). Na Příkopě is one the most prestigious adresses for Prague commercial space and Prague retail space, also many Prague short term apartments are located in this area.

HRADČANY

Hradčany, the Castle District, is a relatively small quarter that´s largely occupied by its namesake tenant. Perched high above Malá Strana the district is also home to several other monumental government and religious buildings including the Loreto and Strahov Monastery. Despite its small size, Hradčany is big on visitor entertainment.

SoNa

This distrinctive neighborhood South of Národní Street is newly and unofficially designeted SoNa by Prague´s expat American community. Comprised of a few square blocks behind the National Theater, it´s a compact district with the cobblestone charm of Old Town that´s home to several popular bars, clubs and restaurants.

HOLEŠOVICE

Most vistiors will never get to this soon-to-be chic neighborhood a few tram stops from the city center. But design freaks, real estate speculators and other early adaptors woujld do well to explore this up-and-coming district of converted lofts and light manufacturing. Mecca, on of Prague´s most popular dance clubs is here, along with the Panton chair-bedecked Holport Cafe and the very downscale Holešovice Market. Charming area to live – choose your Prague apartment close to Letna, only 10 minutes by tram to Prague city center.

VINOHRADY

Formerly a vineyard that produced respectable vintages well into the 17th centrury, this nearby neighborhood was colonized by developers who transformed the fields into one of Prague´s most desirable residential neighborhoods. Situated just minutes east of the city center by tram or metro, Vinohrady is blessed with leafy tree-lined streets and spacious apartments with high ceilings and thick walls. It´s also home to large parks and lots of good restaurants, bars, cafes and pubs. Very popular residential area among expats, lovely renovated Prague apartments with high ceilings, great for your vacation too – lower prices for Prague short term apartments – only 10 minutes by tram to the Prague city center. Becoming very popular when choosing Prague commercial space – great transportation and lower prices than in the city center.

ŽIŽKOV

Playing Harlem to Vinohrady´s Upper West Side, Žižkov is Prague´s quintessential working-class neighborhood, famous for its ardently independent residents and abundance of pubs. Žižkov sits adjacent to Vinohrady and the two neighborhoods were united until 1868, when Žižkovites abruptly proclaimed their autonomy. The district still maintains a fiercely proud tradition of independence that can be traced to the area´s namesake, Jan Žižka (c.1360-1424), a one-eyed Hussite general who lead an army that successfully repulsed a string of Catholic crusades. His statue, said to be the world´s largest equestrian sculpture, roosts upon a neighboring hill. Lower rents for Prague apartments, pubs, restaurants, short proximity to the city center.

DEJVICE

When you want to see how the richest Praguers live, head to this Prague 6 neighborhood situated behind Prague Castle. Many of the huge mansions here are as fine as you´ve seen anywhere in the world. Some of the villas are now occupied by international embassies, while others are home to wealthy locals. Particularly noteworthy buildings include the American ambassador´s residence, the Russian Embassy and the home of former president Václav Havel. Paradise for old style Prague houses, famous magnificant Prague villas, geenery, subway, quiet neighbourhood for your new Prague apartment for rent or Prague apartments for sale.

SMÍCHOV / ANDĚL

Home to the Staropramen Brewery the Bertramka Villa and lots of residential apartment buildings, this neighborhood just upstream from Malá Strana has recently transformed itself into a desirable shopping and entertainment destination with several major office complexes, two cinema multiplexes and the enormous Nový Smíchov shopping mall. Becoming very popular, busy, right next to Vltava river, Mala Strana. Great neighbourhood, consider when looking at Prague apartments for rent and Prague apartments for sale. Many Prague short term apartments are located here for Andel´s close proximity to the city center.

VYŠEHRAD

Perched on a rock above the Vltava river, Vyšehrad („high castle“) was once the seat of Bohemia´s Přemyslid princes. Located about two miles upriver from Charles Bridge, this compact district is now home to a beautiful park with sweeping views. The National Cemetery, where some of the Czech nation´s most outstanding personalities are buried, is here too.

LOCAL TRANSPORT

METRO

Completed in 1974, Prague´s chrome-plated, Soviet-built Metro is strung along three color-coded lines that intersect beneath the city center. The system is simple and easy to navigate. Trains run daily, every two to seven minutes, from about 5am to midnight. Buy tickets at a newstand or from a yellow coin-operated machine in the Metro station. Validate it by inserting it, in the direction of the arrows, into the yellow date-stamping machine before descending to the train platform.

TRAMS

Prague´s trams are plentiful and convenient. Schedules are clearly posted at each stop (an „M“ on the schedule indicates that the stop is at a Metro station). And you can never get too lost because no matter how far you travel, there´s always another tram with the same number heading back to where you started. Numbered 1 through 26 (with the exception of superstitious number 13), most trams run daily, every three to fifteen minutes from about 5am to midnight. After midnight, the system switches to a limited schedule of night trams with different routes and numbers than their daytime counterparts. Tickets can not be pruchased on trams. Get one at a Metro station or newsstand beforehand and validate it in the yellow machine immediately upon boarding. Because it passes some of the city´s top sights, Tram 22 is a favourite of foreign visitors and pickpockets. Settle in for the entire length of its journey and you will be treated to a great budget tour that passes the Nation Theater, Malá Strana Square and Prague Castle.

BUSES

Unless you´re visiting an unlucky friend whol lives in the outer reaches of suburbia, it´s unlikely you´ll ever get on a bus in Prague. Regular bus service stops at midnight, after which selected routes run reduced schedules (usually only once per hour).

Source: AvantGuidePrague