Prague – the capital of the Czech Republic

Situation of the CR :	In the centre of Europe
Borders with countries :	Germany, Austria, Slovakia, Poland
Area of the CR :	78 866 square km
Population of the CR :	10,28 million inhabitants
Location of Prague :	In the centre of Czech Republic, at 50°05″N and 14°27″E
Area of Prague :	496 square km
Population of Prague :	1,21 million inhabitants
Executive language :	Czech language
Currency :	Czech crown – czech symbol „Kc“, international symbol „CZK“
	1 Kc = 100 groat, czech symbol „h“
	Coins: 10h, 20h, 50h and 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 50 Kc
	Banknotes: 20, 50, 100, 200, 500, 1000, 2000, 5000 Kc
Time zone :	Central European time zone – GMT+1, in summer – GMT+2
Elevation of Prague :	180 – 400 m a´bove sea level
Climate :	Mild continental climate
Traffic in Prague :	Tram, bus, car, metro, taxi
Electrical Voltage :	Voltage 230 V – 50/60 Hz
Important tel. nubers :	Fire: 150
	Ambulance: 155
	Police: 158
	City Police: 156
	Road assistance: 1230
	Gas emergency: 1239

ARRIVAL in PRAGUE

The modern city airport, Ruzyně, is situated about 20 km northwest of the city centre. There are direct flights from most major European cities.
Facilities in the main building include a 24-hour money exchange office, a few ATMs, fast food places, several travel and accommodation agencies, rental car companies, a post office. There is also a 24-hour left luggage service in the Arrival Hall (the charge is about 40 Kč per piece of luggage).

Timetables are available at the airport information office in the main hall or on www.dp-praha.cz.

Catch a bus No 119 or No 254 from the airport to Dejvická metro station, then follow a green line (A) of underground railway to the centre (stations Můstek or Muzeum). The trip takes about 45 minutes.

Bus No 100 will take you from the airport to Zličín – the underground terminal stop of the yellow line (B) that leads to the town centre (Můstek station).
Catch night bus No 510 (between midnight and 3.30) to the tram-bound at Divoká Šárka, then go by tram No 51 to Dejvická metro station or further to the city centre (Náměstí Republiky, Wenceslas Square).

There are vans operated by Cedaz running from the airport (6 am – 9 pm) to Náměstí Republiky every 30 minutes for 90 Kč per person. Departure from Náměstí Republiky is between 5.30 am and 9.30 pm. Transport to any place of customer’s wish within Prague is also possible: for 360 Kč (1-4 persons), 720 Kč (5 and more persons).

Depending on the destination, a trip to the city costs up to 700 Kč per 2-3 persons Before entering the car check the price with the driver. It is not recommended to except a price over 700 Kč.

Domestic services are provided by ČD (Czech Railways). There are number of daily connections to Prague from major European cities.

Train Stations: Hlavní nádraží is the biggest and busiest railway station in Prague. There are a 24 hour left-luggage service, food stalls, information and booking offices.
Other train stations in Prague: Masarykovo nádraží, Holešovice Station, Smíchov Station

A supplement for fast express trains (rychlík) has to be paid. It is possible to buy plain tickets (jízdenka) or tickets with reservation (místenka) for a seat, couchette or sleeper.
It is necessary to make a reservation on the train marked with boxed or circled “R”, an “R” without a box means a reservation is recommended.

Information on rail connections are available on Tel: 02 / 242 242 00 or online www.cdrail.cz

Only people older than 18 are allowed to drive a car in the Czech Republic. Wearing a seatbelt is compulsory, children under the age of 12 have to sit at the back. After a consumption of any alcohol driving is illegal.
Most foreign driving licences are honoured, Australian and New Zealand drivers should get an International Driving Licence.

If entering the Czech Republic by car you will need:

a valid driving licence

a vehicle registration card

a hire certification

Green Card (an international motoring certificate for insurance)

a highway sticker (can be purchased at the border).

Other items you will have to carry at all times are: a first-aid kit, a set of replacement bulbs, a spare tire, red warning triangles.

The speed limit is:

130 km/h (81 mph) on motorways

90 km/h (56 mph) on dual and single carriageways

50 km/h (31 mph) in urban areas.

Relaying on car in Prague is not advisable, as it is very difficult to find a suitable parking place and break-ins are very common. Only residents having a parking card can park their cars in the central area of Prague. If you happen to visit Prague by car, the best places to leave your car are guarded parking lots, especially the underground ones. New or expensive cars are vulnerable to break-ins, so do not leave anything valuable inside the car visible from outside, including car radios. They get stolen quite often.

The city main bus terminal is Florenc situated on the eastern edge of the New Town easily accessible by tube (yellow line B and red line C) and trams. The majority of internal coaches are run by ČSAD. Information on bus connection is available on www.jizdnirady.cz
Numerous international coach services are run by Bohemia Euroexpress International (Křižíkova 4-6, Prague 8 – Florenc, Tel: 02 24814450, 24218680, www.bei.cz).

Generally, coach travel is cheap but long distance travelling can be uncomfortable and slower than going by train or plane.
To make sure you get a seat it is advisable to obtain your tickets in advance.

A valid passport is a necessity when entering the Czech Republic. To confirm visa requirements you are advised to contact the Czech embassy or consulate before travelling.

Customs allowances per person are 2l of wine, 1l spirits, 200 cigarettes (100 cigarillos, 50 cigars, 250g of tobacco) and goods up to the value of 6 000 Kč for a person at the age over 15 (3000 Kč for a person at the age up to 15).

Prague Castle and Hradcany

Prague Castle is the most popular sight visited in Prague. It is the largest ancient castle in the world (570 m long, on average 128 m wide, area 7.28 hectares).
Constructed in the 9th century by Prince Bořivoj, the castle transformed itself from a wooden fortress surrounded by earthen bulwarks to the imposing form it has today. Rulers made their own additions so there is a mixture of styles. Prague castle has had four major reconstructions, but it keeps its classical facelift it took on in the 18 century during the reign of Maria Theresa.
The castle has three courtyards and it has always been the seat of Czech rulers as well as the official residence. Allow at least half a day (it does not include time for museum visits) if you want to examine it in depth.

Chapel of the Holy Cross (kaple sv. Kříže) Picture Gallery of Prague Castle (Obrazárna Pražského hradu) Imperial Stables (Císařská konírna) The Spanish Hall (Španělský sál) Rudolf Gallery (Rudolfova galerie) St Vitus Cathedral (Katedrála Sv. Víta) Old Royal Palace (Starý Královský Palác) Mihulka Powder Tower (Prašná věž) Convent of St George (Klášter Sv. Jiří) Basilika of St George (Bazilika Sv. Jiří) Royal Garden (Královská zahrada) Ball-Game House (Míčovna) Summer Palace (Letohrádek) Riding School (Jízdárna) Golden Lane (Zlatá ulička) White Tower (Bílá věž) Daliborka Tower (Daliborka) Lobkowicz Palace (Lobkovický palác) Toy Museum (Muzeum hraček) Schwarzenberg Palace (Švancenberský palác) Archbishp’s Palace (Arcibiskupský palác) Sternberg Palace (Šternberský palác) Černín palace (Černínský palác) The Loreta (Loreta) Capuchin Monastery (Kapucínský klášter) Strahov Monastery (Strahovský klášter)

Prague Lesser Town

The Lesser Town was founded in 1257 on the slopes bellow the Prague castle and it is the part of Prague least affected by resent history.

Nerudova Street (Nerudova ulice) Lesser Town Square (Malostranské náměstí) St Nicholas Church (Kostel sv. Mikuláše) Wallenstein Palace (Valdštejnský palác) Church of st Thomas (Kostel sv. Tomáše) Vrtba Garden (Vrtbovská zahrada) Church of Our Lady Victorious (Chrám Panny Marie Vítězné) Maltese Square (Maltézské náměstí) Kampa Island (Kampa) Charles Bridge (Karlův most) Vojan Park (Vojanovy sady) Petřín Hill (Petřín)

Prague Jewish Quarter (Josefov)

Named after the emperor Josef II, whose reforms helped to ease living conditions for the Jewish, the Jewish Quarter contains the remains of Prague’s former Jewish ghetto. As many of the Jewish died during the WWII and were forced by the communist regime to leave the country, the current Prague community numbers 5000 – 6000 people. There are two figures synonymous with this part of the city, Franz Kafka (1883 – 1924) and the mystical humunculus Golem created by Jehuda ben Bezalel, also known as Rabi Löw.

Old Jewish Cemetery (Starý židovský hřbitov) Pinkas Synagogue (Pinkasova Synagóga) Klausen Synagogue (Klausová synagóga) Old-New Synagogue (Staronová synagóga) High Synagogue (Vysoká synagoga) Jewish Town Hall (Židovská radnice) Maisel Synagogue (Maiselova synagoga) Church of the Holy Ghost (Kostel sv. Ducha) Spanish Synagogue (Španělská synagóga) St Agnes’s Convent (Klášter sv. Anežky) The Rudolfinum (Rudilfinum)

Prague Old Town

Mentioned in 1091, it is the oldest of the towns of Prague gained the privileges of a town in the 13th century. However, its name dates back to the 14th century when the New Town was founded. The centre of the Old Town has always been the Old Town Square dominated by the Church of Our Lady of Týn and the Town Hall.

Powder Gate (Prašná brána) Municipal House (Obecní dům) Celetná Street (Celetná ulice) Church of St James (Kostel sv. Jakuba) Estates Theatre (Stavovské divadlo) Carolinum (Karolinum) Old Town Square (Staroměstské náměstí) Church of Our Lady before Týn (Kostel Panny Marie před Týnem) Kinský Palace (Palác Kinských) Jan Hus Monument (Pomník Jana Husa) Church of St Nicholas (Kostel sv. Mikuláše) Old Town Hall (Staroměstská radnice) House at the Two Golden Bears (Dům u dvou zlatých medvědů) Church of St Gall (Kostel sv. Havla) Church of St Martin in the Wall (Kostel sv. Martina ve zdi) Church of St Giles (Kostel sv. Jiljí) Bethlehem Chapel (Betlémská kaple) Clam-Gallas Palace (Clam-Gallasův palác) Mariánské Square (Mariánské náměstí) Charles Street (Karlova ulice) Palace of the Lords of Kunštát (Dům Pánů z Kunštátu) Clementinum (Klementinum) Knights of the Cross Square (Křížovnické náměstí)

Prague New Town

The carefully planned New Town was founded by Charles IV in 1348. Twice as large as the Old Town, it was mainly inhabited by tradesmen and craftsmen. During the late19th century its outer fortification were demolished and redeveloped to its present appearance. Today it is not particularly attractive to tourists because of its modernness.

Welceslas Square (Václavské náměstí) Church of Our Lady of the Snows (Kostel Panny Marie Sněžné) Franciscan Garden (Františkánská zahrada) National Museum (Národní muzeum) State Opera (Státní opera) Church of St Ignatius (Kostel sv. Ignáce) Jesuit College (Jezuitská kolej) Charles Square (Karlovo náměstí) Church of St Cyril and St Methodius (Kostel sv. Cyrila a Metoděje) Faust House (Faustův Dům) Slavonic Monastery (Klášter na Sovanech) Church of St Stephen (Kostel sv. Štěpána) Church of St Ursula (Kostel sv. Voršily) National Theatre (Národní divadlo)