The Highlights of Prague- By: Morten Elm

Description : If you want to visit a city in Europe with low prices and interesting sight, Prague should be your holiday destination. Here you can find great food, cheap rooms; and beer in large glasses.

Prague's history began with the founding of the castle Prazsky Hrad in the 9th century. The castle is located high above the Vltava River, which made it a natural center.

Behind the castle wall are a palace, three churches and a monastery located. Around the year 1320 the city Hradcany was founded in one part of the castle's outer courtyard.

Since 1918 the castle has been the seat of the country's president. There is changing of the Guard in front of the castle every hour; and at noon it includes a fanfare.

Stare Mesto is the old part of Prague. Centrally located in the town is the square Staromestske namesti (Old Town Square) located. The square is surrounded by historical buildings that can be compared with any other European city.

The first settlements started in the 10th century around the castle. From here it spread to the other side of the Vltava River. The main building point was around the square in the old town.

The Old Town Hall was built in 1338 and in 1490 the unusual astronomical clock was added. Today large groups crowd to watch the show with odd performers like a rooster, a turkey, apostles, the Death, the Greed and the Vanity.

The famous Charles Bridge unites the two parts of Prague. The 520 meter long bridge was built in 1357 of sandstone blocks. It is said to have been reinforced with a mixture of mortar and eggs. Until 1741 it was the only bridge to cross the Vltava.

Until 1683 the bridge was only decorated with a simple cross. Then the first statues were set up, and since a lot of other statues have followed; statues that gives the bridge its characteristic look.

The bridge is a tourist magnet. For the same reason a large group of artists and merchants sell the wares to the tourists on the bridge.

Even though Prague is more expensive than it used to be, it is still a great place for shopping. And it is not just wares from former East European countries that are for sale.

The Velvet Revolution in 1989 changed a lot in Prague. Today you can find both Czech products and the major American and Western European brands in the many department stores and specialty shops. So it is easy to spend a whole day shopping.

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Author Resource : Morten Elm is writing about city breaks in Prage on Prag Storbyferie. Read more about the shopping in Prag Shopping.