Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Three Afternoons in
Greater Prague
Afternoon One
See
Vy√ehrad
(see p115)
late in the day, but only if
the weather looks promis-
ing. Take the metro to the
Vy√ehrad stop at the
Congress Centre, from
which you have marvellous
views of Prague's spires.
Walk west along Na
Bu≤ance and enter the
fortifications through the
Tábor Gate
(see p121)
.
Once inside the walls,
you'll find historic
constructions, such as the
Romanesque
St Martin's
Rotunda
(see p121)
,
everywhere you turn. Enjoy
the park at your leisure but
get to the westernmost
edge of the compound
atop Vy√ehrad's rocky out-
crop in time for a sunset.
View of the ∆i≈kov Tower
Monument of
National Liberation
The one-eyed Hussite general Jan
∆i≈ka defeated invading crusaders
in 1420 atop the hill where his
giant equestrian statue now
stands in front of the Tomb of
the Unknown Soldier. Erected
in 1929, the monument serves
as a memorial to all those who
suffered in the Czech struggle for
independence. The Communists
co-opted the building, and for a
time it served as President
Klement Gottwald's mausoleum
(see p48)
.
d
∆i≈kov • Map B6 • Open
Sep-Jun: first Sat of month
Afternoon Two
∆i≈kov
and
Vinohrady
(see p115)
are also best
seen in the second half of
the day. From Florenc
metro, climb to the
Monument of National
Liberation
for a wonderful
view, then compare it to
the one you get from the
∆i≈kov TV Tower
. Stroll as
far into Vinohrady as your
feet will permit you, but
save your strength: you'll
need it for a night of
pubbing and clubbing.
∆i≈kov TV Tower
The Communists
unashamedly cleared away a
Jewish cemetery on the site in
the 1970s to make way for this
eyesore, reaching almost 100-m
(300-ft) in height. However it
didn't begin transmitting until
after the Velvet Revolution.
Despite a viewing platform, the
tower is actually too tall to see
anything clearly, but thrill-seekers
may want to try.
d
Mahlerovy sady
• Map B6 • Dis. access • Adm
Afternoon Three
Energetic walkers can see
Stromovka
and
Troja
in a
half-day. Take the tram to
V†stavi√te
among the
trees of the former game
park before crossing the
Vltava to the
Troja
Château
(see p120)
. From
there, you're within easy
walking distance of the
zoo. Take the bus back to
the metro at Nádra≈í
Hole√ovice.
Following pages
Troja Château
117
