On this tour you will see more remote Prague sights, such as the Vysehrad Fort from where you will see Prague from a different perspective. Afterwards and upon the discussion with the guide, you may be taken to see the Lesser Town with all its hidden corners, tiny streets and where you can feel the atmosphere of old times. Or you can be taken to the very nice Troja Chateau which nowadays serves as a gallery and you can admire its beautiful and calm gardens and surroundings.
Vysehrad fort
This was originally Chrasten Castle, which was established at some time in the 10th century, that also became a Premyslids mint and the first Czech King Vratislav even dwelled here for a while. Vysehrad's importance was diminishing from the second half of the 12th century but Charles IV. Unfortunately, most of the buildings were destroyed when the Hussites defeated Zikmund. It was finally rebuilt into a Baroque fort after 1650.
There are many historical buildings in the Vysehrad areal. For example St. Peter and Pavel Capitular Cathedral, St. Martin Romanic Rotunda, cemetery with Slavin, casemates of the Baroque fort, foundations and remains of Romanic and Gothic buildings as well as constructions from newer times.
Vysehrad also offers extensive parks with sculptures, views over Prague and a summer amphitheatre. The Vysehrad Gallery exhibits paintings, sculptures and photography. This place is veiled with many legends, for example of Horymir, Libuse, Bivoj, about the treasure, the Devil's pillars, etc. that you will hear from our guides.
Lesser Town
The Lesser Town was founded in 1257 on the slopes bellow the Prague castle and it is the part of Prague least affected by resent history.
Nerudova Street
Named after the poet and journalist Jan Neruda, who lived at No 47 in the House of Two Suns, it is the picturesque narrow street that leads up to Prague castle as a part of Royal Way. There is a splendid selection of heraldic beasts and emblems on the houses, for example the Red Eagle, the Three Fiddles, the Golden Horseshoe, the Green lobster and the White Swan.
There are also a number of grand Baroque buildings, such as the Thun-Hohenstain Palace, the Morzin Palace, and the Church of Our Lady of Unceasing Succour.
Lesser Town Square
Started as a market place it has always been the centre of life in the Lesser Town. Today, there are official buildings and restaurants. The important buildings include the St Nicholas Church, the Town Hall, the Sternberg Palace, and the Smiřický Palace. On the facade of the Baroque Kaiserstain Palace there is a bust of the great Czech soprano Emma Destinn who lived there between 1908 and 1914.
St. Nicholas Church
It is the dominant of the Lesser Town Square and one of central Europe's finest baroque buildings begun by Kristof Dientzenhofer, continued by his son Kilian and finished by Anselmo Lurago. The statues, fresçoes and paintings inside the church are by leading artists of the day, such as Karel Škréta and Johann Kracker.
Kampa Island
Known as the Venice of Prague, Kampa Island has been formed by a branch of the Vltava called the Devil's Stream. Originally there were only gardens on the island but it was also used for washing clothes and bleaching linen. In the 17th century the island became well known for its pottery markets. Today it is an elegant part of Prague with a village-like character.
Troja Chateau
This ia a unique Baroque villa of Italian type based on Jean Baptist Mathey's plans and built by count Vaclav Adalbert from Sternberk after 1679. You will find a permanent exposition "Czech Art in the 19th Century" there - a large collection of pieces by Vaclav Brozik and Jaroslav Cermak. Its interior was decorated by Francesco and Giovanni Marchetti from Trident; the illusive paintings in the main hall were made by Flemish painters Abraham and Isaac Godyn. The Italian garden and Early-Baroque garden nursery with a labyrinth host a European unique collection of terracotta vases, busts and allegorical figures by Italian Bombelli.