1. The Charles Bridge
In 1357, 7 September, 5:31 in the morning, the first stone of one of Europe’s most beautiful pieces of architecture was fitted. We know this exact time, as it was not random, but had been decided by the stars. The same year Charles IV, Emperor of the Holy Roman Empire and King of Bohemia, had decided to create a work that would last for eternity.
And when he called before him his stargazers to ascertain a time favoured by the heavens, this is what they arrived at. At a closer look, one can see that the magical significance of this particular time lies in the number sequence: 135797531, representing divine symmetry.
2. Old Town Square
Old Town Square is the epicentre of Prague’s tourism, for good reason. It boasts a Gothic cathedral, a Baroque church, medieval houses, Art Noveau facades, and in the middle: a WW1 statue of one the nation’s heroes, John Huss. The highlight though, is the Astronomical Clock. Built in the 14 th century, it is the oldest surviving device of its kind. It is, in fact, more than just a clock. It is an astrolabe, a model of the universe as fathomed in the Middle Ages. It measures four different kinds of time, shows the position of the Sun and the Moon, and indicates the signs of Zodiac.
3. The Castle
The largest castle in the world overlooks the city from a majestic ridge on the right bank. Empress Maria Theresa rebuilt it extensively in the 18th century, when it lost its medieval appearance and most of its fortifications. However, behind the Baroque uniform facades you will still find the early medieval buildings. Prague Castle is a conglomeration of interconnected parts, divided by gardens, squares, and courtyards. The core of the castle is the Old Royal Palace at St George’s Square, resting on the lumbers of the very first residence set up here around 880 by duke Borivoj. This marks the beginning not only of the history of the castle, but also of the city of Prague and the state of Bohemia. Since then, it has remained the centre of power, and still today, this is the official seat of the President.