The ancient Bohemian capital holds a unique fascination for visitors, having been hidden for forty years behind the Iron Curtain. And like a carefully preserved jewel it still dazzles with its medieval centre surrounded by a hundred spires.
The entire city centre is a historic site; one of the great pleasures of visiting is to meander through the cobbled streets, admiring the varied architecture from Gothic to Baroque to Renaissance. There are, however, two sites every visitor comes to see: the 14th-century Charles Bridge and Prague Castle, both of which are very close to Mandarin Oriental, Prague.
The central part of the city can be divided into three main areas of interest: Wenceslas Square, named after King Wenceslas
from 1,000 years ago, is the main gathering place for the capital’s populace. The Old Town Square, which started life in the 12th Century as a central marketplace, has evolved into the central shopping area. During December the square is transformed into a magical tapestry of colour and lights when it hosts the Christmas Market. The wonderfully preserved Mala Strana or ‘Little Quarter’, on the left bank of the Vtlava River, is by contrast very peaceful. This is where our hotel is located, in a monastery with roots dating back to the 14th Century. Indeed, the whole area is a veritable open-air museum of historic architecture.
Whilst ‘bohemian’ may mean alternative, Prague offers the very traditional appeal of European capitals with history, culture and fine food. But the city does have its own rare and romantic beauty, which is why it is now one of the most popular destinations in the world.
