Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
the Loreta and Strahov Monastery. Hradčany became a borough of Prague in 1598,
after which the Habsburg nobility built many palaces here in the hope of cementing
their influence with the rulers in the castle.
Malá Strana (the 'Little Quarter') is a charming district of Renaissance palaces and
gardens, with an idyllic riverside setting. It is home to the beautiful baroque Church
of St Nicholas, the elegant Wallenstein Garden and museums of music and modern
art, as well as many excellent restaurants and bars. Prague's scenic centrepiece,
Charles Bridge, links Malá Strana to Staré Město on the far side of the river.
Staré Město - meaning 'Old Town' - is the historic heart of medieval Prague, centred
on one of Europe's most spectacular town squares (Old Town Square, or Staroměstské
náměstí). It is home to some of the city's most iconic sights, including the Old Town
Hall Tower, the Astronomical Clock, the Municipal House and the Prague Jewish Mu-
seum. The maze of cobbled streets and narrow alleys leading away from Old Town
Square is perfect for exploring.
The 'New Town' - new in the 14th century, that is - wraps around the Old Town, and
finds a focus in the broad, historic boulevard of Wenceslas Square. Its sprawl of
mostly 19th- and early 20th-century buildings encompasses important museums and
galleries, impressive architecture and the city centre's main shopping streets.
The name Vinohrady means 'vineyards' and refers to the vines that were cultivated
here in centuries past. These days, the area is one of the city's most desirable residen-
tial neighbourhoods, known for its excellent restaurants and fashionable bars and
