Article review about the sights of the Old Town and the Jewish Quarter in Prague. We give useful tips and information: what to visit, opening hours, prices, addresses.
The Old Town and the Jewish Quarter in Prague smoothly flow into each other, although the ghetto was once fenced off by a wall. We advise you to visit them together to feel the difference.
Look for interesting excursions in Prague on the websites Sputnik8 and Tripster. Individual and group, no crowds of tourists and in Russian.
Old Town (Staré Město)
The Old Town is located around the Old Town Square - the most visited in Prague. Let's say right away that we didn't like it at all. There is no authenticity: a bunch of tourists, expensive establishments and vulgar souvenir shops. The houses are fresh. Below we list what caught our attention.
Old Town Square
The square is usually the first place visited by tourists in Prague. Most of the excursions start from here. Many sights are accumulated on the square, so we wrote a separate article about it.
Charles Bridge (Karlův most)
The bridge is worth visiting at dawn only if you don't want to get caught in the bustle of the market. There are would-be artists and would-be musicians on the bridge. They say that there are not many tourists late at night either - we did not check.
Crusader Square at Charles Bridge (Křižovnické náměstí)
The ensemble of the square is surprisingly beautiful in the evening: the church of St. Francis of Assisi, St. Salvador and Old Town Bridge Tower. A rare place in Prague where you stop paying attention to the hustle and bustle of tourists and really enjoy the beauty of the buildings.
Powder Tower (Prašná brána)
The 15th century Gothic gate at Republic Square (Náměstí Republiky) stands out from the surrounding houses. There is an observation deck, it costs 100 CZK. Address: nám. Republiky 5.
Excursions in the Old Town
We believe that Prague is one of those cities where it becomes boring without knowledge of history, legends and secrets. In order not to be disappointed in the city, take a themed tour of the Old Town - for example, "Magic and Mysticism of Prague" or "Walking Tour of Right Bank Prague".
Prague old town on the map
Jewish Quarter in Prague (Josefov)
Josefov is a former Jewish ghetto. The quarter lives up to its name by the high cost of visiting attractions. However, it is surprisingly quiet and picturesque; it is pleasant to walk along it and look into the windows of expensive antique shops.
How to get to the Jewish Quarter in Prague? It is best to take the metro and get off at Staroměstská station, and then walk. You can also take trams # 17 and # 18 and get off at the stop of the same name.
Jewish Museum, cemetery and synagogues
The combo ticket costs CZK 330 and includes the Spanish, Maiselova, Pinkasova and Klausov synagogues, the Ceremonial Hall, the cemetery and the temporary exhibition. Combo ticket to visit all the attractions of the quarter - 550 CZK. Alas, you cannot buy a separate ticket only to the museum or only to the cemetery! We were not very interested in synagogues, so we did not attend.
Opening hours: in winter from 9:00 to 16:30, in summer - until 18:00. Closed on Sundays and Jewish holidays. Check the dates of the holidays and the opening hours on the official website.
Cathedral of st. Spirit and Kafka monument
Kostel Svatého Ducha is the only church in the Jewish quarter. You can get inside only during the service. There is an unusual monument to Kafka nearby.
Address: Široká street, next to the Spanish Synagogue.
Streets
The streets of Parizhskaya, Kozya, Shirokaya fascinated us. Watch your step - among the paving stones in front of the houses, you can find touching gilded tiles In loving memory in memory of the perished Jews.
