Introducing

Prague

The city of a hundred spires on the River Vltava has for centuries made the hearts of poets, painters and photographers beat faster and more intensely. Prague is the Czech Republic’s religious, cultural, administrative, economic and financial centre. For a thousand years without interruprion it has been the capital of a kingdom and a republic, the seat of rulers and archbishops. The city’s history has often been the history of the Czech state. It was originally a settlement located below the castle, Hradčany and later Vyšehrad. In the third decade of the 13th century it was granted all the rights of a town, and in the 14th century, during the reign of Emperor Charles IV, it flourished as a thriving conurbation, one of the most important towns of Christendom and home to both the first university north of the Alps and a great many beautiful buildings. Later, under Emperor Rudolf II, it became an intriguing metropolis of artists, scientists and learned rabbis, an identity which it retained for a quarter of a millennium. Prague thus entered its Baroque period, when it acquired the church cupolas, palace courtyards and gardens which today typify the face of this historic city, where time itself can be fairly measured by the Old Town’s ancient astronomical apostles’ clock.

This city of grand coronation ceremonies, Mozart operas and Beethoven concerts later thrilled to the music of Dvořák and Mahler. The grey Prague of the lyrical Kafka, Rilke and Meyrink was the city where Čapek created his robots and Hašek his comic and surreal Schweik and where Masaryk in his maturity and Einstein in his youth lived as contemporaries in the age of Prague Art Nouveau. And, despite wars, crises and unfriendly political regimes, the city has survived to shine again today with unprecedented brightness.

Czech Republic

A fleeting glance at a map will show that the Czech Republic lies in the very heart of Europe. It is a land of short distances: none of its hinterland is more than 150 kilometres from its borders. Although the Czech Republic has no coastline, it is not far to the seas of Europe. It is a country with a fascinating history which is linked to others by a wealth of cultural and artistic tradition, and represented not only by the hundreds and thousands of towns, castles, chateaus and churches which are to be found in Bohemia, Moravia and Silesia but also by the unique character of the entire cultural life of the region of Bohemia.

With the restoration of democracy, its traditionally rich cultural association with its closest neighbours, Germany and Austria, and with more distant western countries was resumed and extended after a break of many years. Apart from bilateral contacts, the Czech Republic is now also preparing to take its place in important international organisations, notably the European Union.

The number of foreign visitors to the Czech Republic has increased dramatically in recent years. Many people return again after their first visit to take advantage of all that the Czech Republic offers. Its main attractions are the wealth and variety of its cultural, historical and natural sights, which are concentrated into a relatively small area and easily accessible. The country has a reliable transport network and the availability of accommodation and public catering facilities is improving all the time.

Everything you need to know

Passports and visas

A valid passport is generally required, except in the case of German nationals, who can enter both countries with only an identity card. If children up to 16 years old are not recorded in their parents’ passports, they need a children’s card with photograph. Should a visa be necessary, the passport must be valid for at least two months after the visa expires. EU nationals can enter the country for a period of up to 90 days without a visa. Since 1 January 2000 proof of sufficient financial resources to cover the duration of the planned stay and the return journey can be required on entry. Apart from cash, this can be in the form of travellers cheques, credit cards, hotel vouchers, air or railway tickets etc. Evidence of health insurance cover valid for the Czech Republic must also be provided. If the Czech border authorities have instructions at all, they are not to carry out systematic checks on the compliance of citizens of EU member states with these new requirements, but the possibility of random checks cannot be ruled out. Compliance with these requirements is therefore requested.

Customs regulations

Goods for personal use with a total value of up to CZK 6,000 per person can be brought into the country free of duty or other charges, including
• no more than 200 cigarettes or 250g of tobacco or 100 cigars
• no more than 1 litre of spirits or 2 litres of wine.

Currency

Koruna – Czech crown (Kč). Foreign currency (incl. travellers cheques) can be changed at exchange offices, branches of banks or the bigger hotels and at border crossings. Banks are open from Monday to Friday between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. The usual credit cards are accepted by automatic telling machines and at the better restaurants and shops. Travellers cheques are accepted nearly everywhere.

Telephones

Telephone cards can be used in call boxes in the same way as coins. They can be bought at tobacconist’s shops, newspaper kiosks, post offices and many shops.
Important emergency telephone numbers:
Fire: 150
Vehicle breakdown service: 1054/1230/1240
Emergency medical aid: 155
Police: 158

Electricity supply voltage

220 V / 50 Hz

Public transport

Prague City Transport operates underground (”Metro”), tram and bus services. Tickets can bought in advance at tobacconists’ displaying the sign “Předprodej jízdenek” or from slot-machines at Metro stations. Brno, Ostrava, Plzeň and several other cities operate bus, trolleybus and tram services. Most buses and trams run from 4.30 a.m. until midnight. Passengers must punch their tickets themselves in the machines provided. Non-transfer tickets for short journeys and transfer tickets can be bought for use on the Prague Metro and trams. Passengers travelling without a valid ticket are liable to an on-the-spot fine. Buses and trams whose numbers are shown white-on-blue at stops run throughout the night. Taxis in the big cities have meters and are relatively cheap, but always ask for a receipt.

Opening hours

Shops
Mon-Fri: 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. (8 p.m. on Thu)
Sat: 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Big department stores in the city centre are open on Saturdays to 7 p.m. (many also on Sundays).

Shopping tips: Bohemian glass and crystal, art books, pottery, china, wood carving, hand-embroidered clothes and culinary specialities (Prague ham or Znojmo cucumbers)

Museums and galleries
Tues-Sun: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Castles and chateaus
Tues. – Sun: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Most castles and chateaus are closed from November to March.

Tips

5 – 10 % is reasonable.

Public Holidays

1.1. New Year
April Easter Monday
1.5 May Day
8.5. Liberation from Fascism Day
5.7. Day of the Slav Apostles Cyril and Methodius
6.7. Day of the Reformer and Martyr Jan Hus
28.9. Czech Statehood Day
28.10. Independence Day 1918
17.11. Day of the Struggle for Peace and Democracy
24.12. Christmas holiday
25.12. Christmas holiday
26.12. Christmas holiday