Prague self-guided walking tour – Mala Strana and Hradcany hiking trail
The whole of Prague, with its ancient streets, squares, districts, is like a song woven from the enchanting corners of the old times dear to the heart. This is the district of the Czech capital – Mala Strana, a tour of which will bring real pleasure. We offer you a ready-made itinerary.
History of Mala Strana
When you look at the “small city” from hilly elevations, a picturesque picture opens up of a mosaic of red tiled roofs on numerous buildings, separated by a blue ribbon of the Vltava, and green patches of squares and parks. Mala Strana arose at the dawn of the first millennium, when an important trade route connecting East and West ran through this place. The beginning of the settlement was laid by a stone bridge across the Vltava, erected under King Vladislav I, who saw the obvious economic benefits of the trade route.
The new bridge allowed loaded caravans of horse-drawn transport to pass over it, the owners of which paid tribute. Gradually, settlements began to grow on both sides of the river. In the second half of the 13th century, the city wall and fortifications were built. They served as the basis for the formation of the Prague small town, which later received the name Mala Strana, which eventually became an area of luxurious palaces and mansions.
Attractions “city within a city”
The Charles Bridge
The Charles Bridge leads to Mala Strana, where you can cross the Vltava. Everyone walking along the bridge is met by two ancient towers connected by a stone arch. One of them was built in the 12th century as a defensive one, later used as a prison. For 2 centuries it housed customs. The second, higher tower, built in the 15th century, served as a signal and at the same time served as a warehouse. Now both medieval buildings, after restoration, have become a kind of museums available to the public.
Cathedral of Saint Nicholas
Once in this old district, you immediately feel its special medieval flavor: cobbled streets and alleys, baroque splendor of old buildings, many churches and small churches. One of them – the Cathedral of St. Nicholas was built for 52 years by the father and son Dientzenhofer, local Germans. The building of the church is an example of the Prague Baroque, with many stucco decorations, details of rich decor outside and inside.
The high tower of the bell tower together with the domed turret (79m) was built according to the Lurago project, differs in style from the general ensemble of the church and is the property of the city, as evidenced by the stone sculpture of the coat of arms of Prague.
The unusually magnificent architecture of the Baroque, the somewhat pretentious beauty of the decoration of the internal interiors of the temple make a stunning impression. The grandiose fresco painting “The Apotheosis of St. Mikulas” is the largest in Europe. The domed fresco “Apotheosis of the Holy Trinity” can be called a masterpiece of church wall painting.
The sculpture of Nicholas himself, cast in copper, the cross and other elements that adorn the main altar are worthy of admiration. Majestic side columns made of gray marble, monumental statues of church leaders inspire awe. A real rarity here is the organ, the keys of which Mozart touched when playing on it in 1787.
Street Mostetska
Mostetskaya Street leads to the church, completely built up with beautiful mansions, at the bottom of which there are numerous shops and shops selling souvenirs, various gifts, puppets popular in the Czech Republic – toys depicting famous people, controlled with thin ropes. Walking along Mostetskaya is an acquaintance with the history of the past, with architectural monuments of the Middle Ages. Here, each mansion has its own face, perfectly fitting into the general suite of buildings.
Nerudova street
Of interest is Nerudova Street, named after Jan Neruda, a public figure, journalist, and writer. Two ancient buildings are associated here with his name. The house “At two suns”, where he was born (it has a symbolic emblem depicting a young man with a Masonic triangle) and the house “At three black eagles”, where he lived the last years of his life. Almost every building on this street is a historical object, has its own unique flavor.
Hradcany
At the end, Nerudova Street imperceptibly “flows” into Uvoz, leading to Hradcany, a former fortress town, one of the old 4 districts of Prague. It is located on a vast hill of rocky rocks of the Vltava left bank. In the old days, the settlement was protected by a reliable fence of fortress walls (one of which retained the ancient name “Hungry”).
Hradcany Town Hall
Despite the fortifications, the town was repeatedly destroyed by the Hussite wars, burned to the ground in 1541. But the peaceful times that have come have given a new life to the Hradchans: rich people, churchmen built up the territory with magnificent palaces and cathedrals. The district received a special flourishing after it was awarded the status of the “Royal City”, the Hradcany Town Hall became the architectural symbol of this event. On its doors there is still a metal image of the “Prague elbow” – a kind of measure of length, officially adopted in the state.
Strahov Monastery
It is here that the most ancient shrine of the Czech Republic is located – the Strahov Monastery. It was founded in 1140 by representatives of the Premonstratensian monastic order, known for its strict vows. Despite repeated fires, destruction during wars, the monastery was saved, breathing new life into it. In the 18th century, the Public Library was opened in it, the funds of which contain priceless ancient rarities in the form of old books and manuscripts. There is also a large collection of paintings, and regular exhibitions of paintings are held here.
Outwardly, the monastery complex looks very majestic, the snow-white walls, contrasting with the red tiles of the roofs and the green domes of the towers, create a unique picture that attracts hundreds of tourists. Inner beauty matches the outer: wonderful frescoes, rich moldings, elegant sculptures make a strong impression.
Chernin Palace
Not far from the monastery is the unique building of the Chernin Palace, which now houses the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic. It was built for two decades and became the largest palace in Prague, the facade of which (150 m) occupied the entire length of Loretan Square. The architecture of the building was subject to changes, but in 1918 a colossal restoration of the palace was restored to its baroque appearance. In the 40s of the 20th century, Foreign Minister Jan Masaryk lived and worked in it, whose death in 1948 is still a mystery. Free access to the palace is prohibited, it can only be admired from the outside.
Prague Loreta
Hradcany has its own Prague Loreta, created according to the Italian type, dedicated to the Virgin Mary. The “hut” in her honor was built on the initiative of Baroness Katarina, who in 1626 invited the Italian architect Orsi, who designed a copy of the shrine. According to legend, bricks and logs brought from an Italian hut were used in its walls. After the erection, the building became an object of pilgrimage for believers. In 1631, a church was erected nearby, new buildings appeared, which, after the reconstruction of the 18th century, united into a single architectural ensemble, the main style of which was baroque.
The amazing beauty of the complex cannot but delight with the many artistically executed sculptures of the prophets of the Old Testament, stucco decorations on the facades and pediments, figured spiers. A true masterpiece of architecture is the clock tower combined with the bell tower. 30 large and small bells were brought from Amsterdam, the original sound composition was composed in 1694 by the famous watchmaker Peter Neumann.
For the first time it (composition) sounded on August 15, 1695, and since then the bells have been announcing everyone about every hour in our time. A great contribution to the creation of a divine architectural monument was made by Krishtof and Kilian Dientzenhofer, who imprinted their names in the construction of the Church of St. Nicholas in Lesser Town.
Visiting these districts of Prague is a journey into the great Past and the bright Present.