Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
of artists, headed by painter Josef Mánes, as an alternative to the Czech Academy of
Arts.
It is still one of Prague's best venues for viewing contemporary art, with a lively
program of changing exhibitions. However, will be closed for renovation works until
September 2013.
IISLAND
AND
SLAV ISLAND
(Slovanský ostrov; Masarykovo nábřeží; 17, 21)
This island is a sleepy, dog-eared sand-
bank with pleasant gardens, river views and several jetties where you can hire rowing
boats. In the middle stands
Žofín
, a 19th-century cultural centre that has been re-
stored and opened as a restaurant and social venue. In 1925 the island was named
after the Slav conventions that had taken place here since 1848.
The island's banks were reinforced with stone in 1784, and a spa and dye works
were built in the early part of the following century. Bohemia's first train had a
demonstration run here in 1841, roaring down the island at a rattling 11km/h. At the
tower (once part of a mill) with an 18th-century onion-dome roof.
THE RIVERFRONT
The Nové Město riverfront, stretching south from the National Theatre to
Vyšehrad, is lined with some of Prague's grandest 19th- and early-20th-century
architecture. It's a great place for an evening stroll, when the setting sun gilds
the facades with a beautiful golden light.
Masarykovo nábřeží (Masaryk Embankment) sports a series of stunning art-
nouveau buildings. At No 32 is the duck-egg green
Goethe Institute
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No 26 is a beautiful apartment building with owls perched in the decorative fo-
liage that twines around the door, dogs peeking from the balconies on the 5th
floor, and birds perched atop the balustrade.
arykovo nábřeží 16)
, built in 1906 by Josef Fanta for a patriotic choral society asso-
ciated with the Czech National Revival. It's decorated with elaborate musical
