Are you planning a short getaway for the weekend? Do you want to enjoy a walkable city and immerse yourself into medieval history? Then Prague has got something to offer! The capital city of the Czech Republic is a real marvel of preserved history, some of its buildings going back as far as the XV century!

Say it like the natives!

• Praha [ˈpraɦa] is the capital city of Česko [ˈtʃɛsko]
• Practise saying PRAH-hah and CHESS-koh
• The stress is on the first syllable

Prague Castle | Pražský hrad

Prague Castle is the largest ancient castle complex in the world and was first constructed in the IX century. Today this medieval castle serves as the official residence of the president of the Czech Republic. There is a hidden room somewhere in the castle, where they store the crown jewels. Millions of tourists visit the Prague Castle every year to look at its many churches, palaces, halls and towers, and the almost 500-year-old Royal Garden.

Charles Bridge | Karlův most

Charles Bridge was built out of stone in the XIVth century and still stands strong today, connecting the Old Town to the Lesser Town. King Charles IV ordered the construction of the bridge as it was an important and reliable trade route after the old bridge collapsed in a flood. As rumor has it, laid the first stone in the early hours of the morning on July 9th, 1357. The bridge was decorated with 30 Baroque-style statues, most of which are now on display in the National museum or have been moved to storage for preservation.

The Astronomical Clock | Pražský orloj

The Astronomical Clock in Prague has been telling the townspeople the time and day since the XVth century. You can spot it mounted on the Old Town Hall in central square. It’s adorned with Gothic sculptures representing the Apostles adorn the clock. Every hour, a skeleton figure, representing Death, strikes the clock, and all the figures shake their heads as if rejecting their inevitable demise.

Say it like the natives!

• Pražský hrad [ˈpraʃskiː ˈɦrat] is pronounced Prahzh-skee hrad. You may want to practise saying “zh” as in “pleasure”.
• Karlův most [ˈkarluːf ˈmost] used to be known as the Stone Bridge before it got renamed to honor King Charles XIV who ordered its construction.
• Pražský orloj [praʃskiː orloj] is the Astronomical Clock in Prague was first mentioned in a written record in 1410. The sound “j” is pronounced like “y” in “yes”.
• Staré Město [ˈstarɛː ˈmɲɛsto] and Malá Strana [malaː straːna] mean Old Town and Lesser Town.

Are you ready to go to Prague? Say “Ahoj!” to your next great adventure!