Prague, Czech Republic is a magical, charming city with over 1,500 years of history and architecture that continues to delight her visitors to this day. Here are some photos from my recent visit that I hope convey some of the magic. For more details on Prague, please see another Travel Maestro post Golden Prague, the City of a Hundred Spires.

The chiming of the astronomical clock is an hourly magnet to hundreds of people who come to see the show of moving figures in the clock. The mechanical figures include twelve twirling Apostles, a skeleton tolling a death knell, a crowing cockerel and a nodding Turk then a live bugler plays from the top of the tall tower. The 15th century marvel actually tells time by the season, the zodiac signs and the positions of the sun and moon.

A friend-of-a-friend and Prague resident, Wolf, has recently begun a local tour service. He graciously escorted us all over the city by walking tour, sharing tons of history and insider knowledge of the best views, the best hotels and the best restaurants. I can highly recommend his services!

Gothic on the outside and Baroque on the inside, the Tyn Church looks like a fairytale castle at night.

The Jewish Quarter is a historic ghetto that today is mostly a collection of museums housed in four synagogues and the fascinating cemetery. It is well worth a visit to understand the centuries of discrimination suffered by Prague’s Jews from the middle ages through the Holocaust.

Hradcany, or the Castle Area, set upon a  high vantage as castles tend to be, is a picturesque area with beautiful views overlooking Mala Strana (the Lesser Quarter) and the Charles Bridge that crosses the River Vltava to Old Town. To fully explore the Castle and its buildings you need a solid half day or more, but if you don’t have the time you can just wander the small streets and alleyways, drink in the beautiful surroundings, browse the traditional toy stores or stop for goulash at a pub.

I have a soft spot for beautiful doors and I found them all over Prague! Here are some of my favorites:

And finally, Czechs really like their beer, so in the interest of cultural exchange, I was obligated to join in their traditions. Cheers!

If you’ve visited Prague before, please share your favorite places in the comments below. If you would like to plan a trip to this fascinating and historic City of a Thousand Spires, please contact Covington Travel and we can give you more insider tips to make it a perfect vacation.