Recently, I left my home in Memphis, Tennessee, and I embarked on my four-month journey to Prague to study and explore Europe for the Spring 2014 semester. From the gorgeous castles to the famous Lennon Wall, Prague is a small city full of endless opportunities. However, finding the right spots to explore can feel overwhelming. With that said, I present the five must-see places to go to in Prague:
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| Charles Bridge View |
1. Charles Bridge: The Charles Bridge is located near the city center of Prague over the Vltava River. It offers picturesque views along with medieval statues to accompany you while you walk across. You will see all the beauty Prague has to offer; from the parliament building to the 13thcentury architecture, the Charles Bridge is a must-see.
2. New Town/Old Town Square: Prague boasts a new and old city feeling, unlike any other city in Europe. The squares are within less than half a mile from each other, making them very accessible to visitors. In the Old Town Square, you will find the oldest synagogue in Europe, along with neo-gothic, romantic, and renaissance-like architecture. However, if you like the big city feel, you can walk a few minutes to New Town Square, where the buildings look relatively new and shopping dominates the street.
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| John Lennon Wall |
3. John Lennon Wall: The John Lennon Wall was created after the tragic death of John Lennon. Only a short walk from the Charles Bridge, you will find that the wall is painted with graffiti by supporters of Lennon to promote peace and acceptance. Around the wall, there are musicians and tourists coming to pay their respects to John Lennon, and cement their name on the wall.
4. Prague Castle (Konopiste): While there are many castles to see in Prague, this one was the home of the Arch Duke Franz Ferdinand and it’s just as the family left it: it is magnificent, and not far from the Prague city center. The castle was occupied by the Nazis in the Second World War but was left relatively untouched by the end of the war. The Konopiste Castles has also been featured in movies such as the Illusionist.
5. Franz Kafka Museum: Franz Kafka was a prominent author of many short stories and novels, and he is regarded as the most influential author of the 20th century. Kafka strongly influenced genres such as existentialism, and he also was an avid playwright and a lawyer. The museum was created so that its audience would not only see the works of Franz Kafka, but also to enter his mind and thoughts.
While these are my five favorite places in Prague, the city has so much culture and history to offer to anyone who visits the Czech Republic.
Joseph Notowich is the Spring 2014 CEA MOJO in Prague, Czech Republic. He is currently a junior at Indiana University Bloomington.