Prague is a magical city of castles, cathedrals, and cafes. Since the 1989 Velvet Revolution when the totalitarian government was overthrown, Prague, once again, has become the vibrant Heart of Europe. It is one of the most popular destinations of people from all over the world.

Prague's rich cultural history in music, art, literature and theater gave us Dvorak, Kafka, Capek and Mucha, and continues to thrive today, inspiring not only its inhabitants but visitors as well.

Twelve centuries of architecture provide stunning examples from the Gothic, Renaissance, Baroque, Art Nouveau, Cubist and Functionalist periods to the contemporary. Whether one looks up at an amazing ornate facade, or down at the patterned cobblestone sidewalks and streets, or out over the many hills in Prague, there is no shortage of picture-perfect scenery.

If your feet get tired from all the sightseeing, you can slip into one of Prague's many cafes (kavarna) or pubs (hospoda). There are several grand cafes remaining in Prague such as Slavia and the Louvre which Einstein, Kafka and Capek frequented. Music is everywhere and every night, from the many jazz clubs (you can sit in the same spot as Clinton when he visited Prague and played his sax at the Reduta Jazz Club), concert halls, pip-organ concerts in churches, ballet and opera in the theaters to street musicians on the Charles Bridge or around a corner.

It is easy to get around in Prague by several methods: the metro which has 3 lines, trams which service the  city throughout the day and night, or busses. All Prague Institute participants receive a Prague travel pass which allow for unlimited travel during their stay. It is a very pedestrian friendly city, but you better bring your map along when maneuvering through the medieval old town with its wonderfully winding streets.

Check the sites for the many festivals held in Prague.
Music: the Prague Spring International Music Festival, the Prague Autumn International Music Festival, the Prague International Organ Festival, and the World Roma Festival
Literary: Prague Writers Festival, the Summer Shakespeare Festival
Film: Febiofest, One World and Echoes of the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival
Comedy and Theater: Prague Fringe Festival

For more Prague information go to:

Sites to See
Books, Music & Film

Quick Facts
Prague is the capital and largest city of the Czech Republic. Often referred to as the "city of a hundred spires" and "the golden city." Situated on the Vltava River in central Bohemia, Prague has been the political, cultural and economic centre of the Czech state for more than 1100 years. For many decades during the Gothic and Renaissance eras, Prague was the permanent seat of two Holy Roman Emperors and thus was also the capital of the Holy Roman Empire. Today, the city proper is home to more than 1.2 million people, while its metropolitan area is estimated to have a population of over 1.9 million.