Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Rudolf II's English court alchemist, Edward Kelley, who toiled here in the 16th cen-
tury trying to convert lead into gold.
HIST
HISTORIC B
ORIC BUILDING
UILDING
NEW TOWN HALL
50/30Kč; 10am-6pm Tue-Sun May-Sep; Karlovo Náměstí)
The New Town Hall was
built in the late 14th century, when the New Town was still new. From the window of
the main hall (the tower was not built until 1456), two of Wenceslas IV's Catholic
councillors were flung to their deaths in 1419 by followers of the Hussite preacher Jan
Želivský, sparking off the Hussite Wars.
This event gave 'defenestration' (throwing out of a window) a lasting political
meaning, and a similar scenario was repeated at Prague Castle in 1618. You can visit
the Gothic Hall of Justice, which was the site of the defenestration, and climb the 221
steps to the top of the tower.
DVOŘÁK MUSEUM
25Kč, combined ticket with Czech Museum of Music 150/75Kč; 10am-1.30pm & 2-5pm Tue,
Wed & Fri-Sun, 11am-3.30pm & 4-7pm Thu Apr-Sep, 9.30am-1.30pm & 2-5pm Tue-Sun Oct-Mar;
IP Pavlova)
The most striking building in the drab neighbourhood south of Ječná is
the energetically baroque Vila Amerika, a 1720s, French-style summer house de-
signed by (you guessed it) Kilian Dientzenhofer. It's one of the city's finest baroque
buildings and now houses a museum dedicated to the composer Antonín Dvořák. Spe-
ber.
MMUSSEUUM
TOP SIGHTS
NATIONAL MEMORIAL TO THE HEROES OF THE
HEYDRICH TERROR
OFFLINE MAP