Things to Do in Prague

Eastern European Ashkenazi Jews first came to Prague in the 10th century and over the years they became a thriving part of the city’s cultural and financial community.  Their first cemetery was located in Josefov, where most of Prague’s Jewish resident were required to settle; by the 1890s there were 23,500 Jews living in the city and the Old Jewish Cemetery was full. A new one was built in the suburb of Žižkov, many times bigger with capacity for around 100,000 graves; it is Art Nouveau in style, with imposing entrance gates, ornate mausoleums and majestic family tombs adorned with statuary and inscriptions. Its peaceful and orderly tree-lined avenues are a respite from the hectic street life of central Prague, although tragic reminders of World War II include a memorial wall inscribed with the names of the victims of the Holocaust who perished in Terezín concentration camp. The influential writer Franz Kafka is famously buried there; his literary fans make a pilgrimage to his tomb on the anniversary of his death on June 3, 1924. 

A short walk from the New Town’s central Wenceslas Square, the grand Prague State Opera house is one of the city’s most exquisite buildings, undergoing several name changes over the years. Originally built as the German Theater, the ornate Neo-Rococo structure was designed by Viennese architects Fellner & Hellmer and opened to much acclaim in 1888. Despite falling into disrepair during the post-WWII communist years, the Prague State Opera has now been fully restored to its previous glory and the opulent interiors are truly magnificent, blending elegant white and gold décor with plush red velvet and glittering chandeliers.

Of course, the only way to truly experience the old world ambiance of Prague’s Opera House is to attend a performance, and there are plenty of opportunities during the Prague State Opera season between September and June. A varied program of opera and ballet features works by all the greats, including Tchaikovsky, Prokofiev, Rossini, Verdi, Puccini and Donizetti, and the Opera house also hosts an annual Verdi festival throughout the summer months, an elegant New Year’s Eve Gala and a series of Christmas-themed classical music concerts during the festive season.

Much more than just a pretty façade, the Prague National Theatre (Narodni divadlo) is one of the capital’s most important and culturally significant buildings, celebrated as a symbol of Czech cultural and political independence. Completed in 1883 while the country was under Austrian rule, the National Theatre was originally refused funding by the government of Vienna but after a nationwide appeal and a flood of financial contributions from Czech citizens, building commenced in 1865. It’s unique funding means that, more than any of the city’s historic buildings; the Prague National Theatre really does belong to the people.

Taking 16 years to finish, the theatre is the masterwork of Czech architect Josef Zítek, who crafted a dramatic neo-Renaissance façade reflective of the artistic liberation of the Czech National Revival. In 1983, a modernist glass annex – the ‘New Scene’ – was also added to the theatre, the work of architect Zdeněk Vávra, designed to mark the building’s 100th anniversary.

Standing proud by the riverside in the Old Town, with its golden rooftop shimmering in the sunlight, the National Theatre remains one of Prague’s most instantly recognizable sights and those lucky enough to catch one of its many drama, opera and ballet performances will be captivated by its equally impressive interiors.

The center of ancient Prague, the Old Town (Stare Mesto) makes a popular starting point for walking tours of the city, sprawled along the eastern banks of the Vltava River and connected to the Lesser Town by the grand Charles Bridge. A key part of the UNESCO World Heritage city, the Old Town’s medieval churches, ancient buildings and maze of cobblestone lanes is historic Prague at its most picturesque, with many structures dating back to the 13th century.

The Old Town Square is the focal point of the district, presided over by the Lady Before Tyn Cathedral, the central Jan Hus statue and the Old Town Hall with its Astronomical Clock tower – one of the most iconic landmarks of Prague, dating back to the early 15th century. The square’s mix of distinctive pastel-shaded buildings and fine Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque architecture has long provided the backdrop for city life, and the public square, once a medieval market, is a popular venue for national celebrations, protests and political events.

Other notable buildings in the Old Town include the 13th century Convent of St Agnes, Prague’s earliest example of Gothic design; the Baroque Church of St. Nicholas; and the exquisite Art Nouveau Municipal Hall, a masterpiece crafted by some of the most prominent Czech artists of the 19th century. Just north of Wenceslas Square, the boundary point of the New Town, the Carolinum, part of the Charles University (the oldest university north of the Alps), and the 18th century Estates Theater, Prague's oldest theatre, are also worth a look.