DAY 4: Prague, Off the Beaten Path

Tuesday, 2 SEPTEMBER 2014 [Accommodation Transfer and Praha Tour]

Accommodation transfer on this day. Did a bit of early hour walking around the vicinity of the apartment at Opatovická in New Town. The street Spalena has some interesting buildings/structures.

Cubist type arcade around a statue of St John of Nepomuk

Cubist pillars. The rest of the building (Diamant House), a corner unit, is also interesting

Further along Spalena heading towards Národní třída, you will find one of the main offices of the leading Czech insurance company Česká Pojišťovna. It is 4-5 buildings combined and has an interesting facade.

Česká Pojišťovna

For the accommodation transfer, I hired a car service from the ever trustworthy Prague Airport Transfers. Since I had 3 to 4 hours before checking in at the next apartment, I booked the car and driver for 3 hours, at a reasonable rate of RM240 (approx USD65) for the accommodation transfer and the full 3 hours (it turned out to be 3 1/2 hours but no extra was charged). Was very fortunate again as the driver Petr, who looked like a young chap just out of college, was friendly and willing to go to places where parking was very difficult or even impossible. Out of my list of 10 or so places on my list, he got me to all of them except that I gave one spot a miss as I had to ascend a steep slope to get to it. 

Below are some of the places visited in the 3 hour self-guided tour with assistance from driver Petr.

From Palackého náměstí, view of Klášter benediktinů na Slovanech - Emauzy (Emaus Monastery). This medieval monastery was severely damaged from bombing by Allied forces during WWII but has been rebuilt, with the 'twin peaks'.

Vltava, 19th century Palackého most (Palacký bridge) nearby



Pomník obětem komunismu (Memorial to the Victims of Communism) in Little Quarter section of Praha - allegory of the human spirit being degraded the longer they are under Communist rule. Unveiled in 2002

Bilkova Villa - Art Nouveau building designed by Czech sculptor and architect František Bílek

Hanavský Pavilon

Hanavský Pavilon located on the edge of Letná Park, is an interesting neo-Baroque cast iron structure housing a rather pricey restaurant (from a look at their current online menu). Check out the view from the side of the Pavilion. CHECK IT OUT! The photos below don't even portray half of the magnificent view that will greet you ... you have to be there to appreciate it. Good thing that the place is out of the way and probably 95% of tourists would miss this... shame, but good for us ... no crowds.

Fantabulous view from Hanavský Pavilon

Closer view: The 14th century Charles Bridge is second from front & with throngs of pedestrians

Lingered here for 45 minutes with all my luggage left in the cab. Took many selfies which didn't turn out well and even Petr took selfies here. 

Next, headed south to Vinohrady, which used to be wine producing territory (hence "Vinoh") and which is now a very elegant and increasingly upmarket district. Some very fine landmarks here which most holidaymakers to Praha miss.

Theatre at Vinohrady

Imposing Kostel sv. Ludmily (Church of St Ludmila) at Náměstí Míru (Peace Square). The square becomes a modest-sized flea market every last Saturday of the month

Kostel Sv Nejsvětějšího Srdce Páně (Church of the Most Sacred Heart of Our Lord), a truly unique church design with clock in the tower. Built in 1932

Church and Žižkov TV Tower at right

Just a 3 minute drive from the church is the Žižkov district where stands the Žižkov TV tower that was completed just after the fall of Communism. It stands at 216 metres or 209 feet high. 

The Žižkov TV tower (built by the Communists) is a monstrosity in its own right...

..but with the black-coloured baby statues stuck to it - it's just whacko

As you can see from the photos, it was a dark gloomy day, very gloomy. Fortunately, the skies held back their heavenly blessings ... else I would have been cussing in the cab or wiling away 2-3 hours in some cafe while waiting for check in.

From Žižkov, it was on to Wilsonova, a major road on which the Praha main station (Hlavní nádraží) is located. The train station was opened in 1871 and within is a beautiful Art Nouveau hall, which was built as a replacement of the original in 1901 - 1909. So glad much of this place was restored by the time of my tour in Praha. From articles, this place had been rather dilapidated for some time.

Art Nouveau interior of the train station. 28. říjen (October) 1918 founding of then Czechoslovakia

Coat of arms of major European cities on the dome. Praha is the one with castle tower and 2 tower-gates

View across the main road, Wilsonova, from the train station


Well time flies when you're enjoying the activities at hand, and I soon had to bid adieu to my friend of 3.5 hours, Petr. He did manage to get me to Restaurant Expo 1958 but I decided not to climb the hill to see it.

My second accommodation was at Vodičkova 708/35, which is a baroque era building (i.e. 300-400 years old) with a history. I didn't ask what sort of history, but must be ok considering I'm back home and still have my wits about me ...   Vodičkova street is a very busy and central street in New Town and also joined to Wenceslas Square - so made a great base from which to explore the city. To top it off, the apartment provided the best value of all accommodations in the entire tour. The host of this apartment, Ondřej, was also very friendly and helpful throughout my stay.

Main entrance to Vodičkova 35. Gate is locked after 10pm haha!

Inside entrance to apartment

Jindřišská věž(tower) aka Henry's Tower, built in 1470s. Drizzled as I got here....

The rest of the day was spent just settling into the apartment and taking a much needed nap. I did go out that night but only for a short walk nearby as the next day would be a very long one. Dinner was roast chicken and bread bought from Billa supermart just 4 to 5 doors away. 

Lucerna Palac, popular landmark in Praha's New Town, opposite apartment at Vodičkova 35

Franciscan Garden near Vodičkova 35 apartment

NEXT: Day 5, Tours Outside Praha and in Nuremberg, Germany