#4 best destination in the world

 

Strahov Monastery

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  • Premonstratensian abbey founded in 1143

 

Magical Cavern

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  • Old mill converted to a cave-like fantasy by one artist, Reon Argondian
  • In order to find this Magic Cave you will have to wonder the forest of Petrin, a small hill just outside of the city

 

Museum of Alchemists and Magicians of Old Prague

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  • Rudolf II, king of much of eastern Europe and the eventual Holy Roman Emperor during the 16th century is widely remembered for his interest and patronage of the occult arts
  • Funding a number of alchemists and sorcerers, Rudolf II created possibly the most active period of occult practice in history
  • These magicians are remembered at The Museum of Alchemists and Magicians of Old Prague

Charles Bridge

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  • Historic bridge constructed in 1367 under King Charles IV and finished in the 15th century
  • Connected Prague Castle and the city’s Old Town
  • The connection made Prague an important trade route between Eastern and Western Europe

 

Old Jewish Cemetery, Prague

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  • #7 of the oldest cemeteries in the world
  • One of the largest cemeteries of its kind in Europe and one of the most important Jewish historical monuments in Prague
  • In use from the first half of 15th century until 1786

 

St. Vitus Cathedral and Prague Castle

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  • Roman Catholic metropolitan cathedral dedicated to Saint Vitus
  • Prominent example of Gothic architecture
  • The largest and most important church in the country, containing the tombs of many Bohemian kings and Holy Roman Emperors
  • Prague Castle’s complex was built in 870
  • Prague Castle is the largest ancient castle in the world
  • It is the office of the President of the Czech Republic
  • The castle was a seat of power for kings of Bohemia, Holy Roman emperors, and presidents of Czechoslovakia
  • The Bohemian Crown Jewels are kept within a hidden room inside it

 

Old Town Square and Prague Astronomical Clock

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  • Medieval astronomical clock first installed in 1410, making it the third-oldest astronomical clock in the world and the oldest clock still operating
  • #11 of the top 25 landmarks in the world

 

Sedlec Ossuary

The Bone Church - Kutna Hora

  • Small Roman Catholic chapel, located beneath the Cemetery Church of All Saints
  • Estimated to contain the skeletons of between 40,000 and 70,000 people, whose bones have, in many cases, been artistically arranged to form decorations and furnishings for the chapel
  • In the mid 14th century, during the Black Death, and after the Hussite Wars in the early 15th century, many thousands were buried in the abbey cemetery

 

St. Barbara’s Church (Kutná Hora)

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  • Roman Catholic church in Kutná Hora (Bohemia)
  • One of the most famous Gothic churches in central Europe
  • St Barbara is the patron saint of miners (among others), which was appropriate for the town whose wealth was based entirely upon its silver mines
  • Construction began in 1388, but work on the building was interrupted for more than 60 years during the Hussite Wars and then work resumed in 1481, and not completed until 1905
  • In 1588, it was occupied by Jesuits who gradually changed the structure into Baroque style, though parts still remain in Gothic style
  • Internal points of note are the medieval frescoes depicting the secular life of the medieval mining town and religious themes that have been partially preserved
  • UNESCO World Heritage Site

 

Villa Tugendhat

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  • One of the pioneering prototypes of modern architecture in Europe
  • Built of reinforced concrete in 1930
  • UNESCO World Heritage Site

 

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  • The House of Liechtenstein acquired a castle in Lednice in 1249, which marked the beginning of their settlement in the area
  • English landscape architecture is combined with The Baroque and Gothic Revival style architecture of the chateaux
  • UNESCO World Heritage Site

 

Český Krumlov Castle

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  • Town built around Český Krumlov castle
  • A local branch of the noble Vítkovci family built the castle in 1240 and settlement arose beneath it
  • Most architecture in the town is from the 14th-17th centuries
  • UNESCO World Heritage Site

 

 

Costs

Number of Days: 17 days

Best Time To Fly: mid-March to mid-May, Sept-mid to Nov

Airline tickets: $1,565

Seattle -> Prague (round trip) = $1,565

Food: $19/day x 17 days = $323

Metro/bus pass: $16

Rental car: $245

$35/day x 7 days = $245

Gas: $34

Entertainment: $122

Airbnb: $73/day x 15 days = $1,095

TOTAL: $3,400