Overview
Most everyone will say that Prague is best explored on foot!
Prague is one of the most original and unique cities in all of Europe. Exploring the city through the lens of its architecture is an adventure into its history as both of these aspects are strongly intertwined.
This tour includes:- Private English speaking guide
- New Town
- Old Town
- House of the Black Madonna
- Wenceslas Square
- Municipal House
It was the start of the 20th century when Prague erupted with world renowned artistic and intellectual activity that focused on a brand new way of seeing the world. This "art nouveau" movement spanned major European capitals ranging from Barcelona to Vienna and put Prague on the map as one of the most forward thinking cultural hubs in the world.
The Prague train station, constructed in 1901, will be your first destination and will serve as the perfect introduction to the basic ideas behind the Art Nouveau movement against classicism. The timing of modernization, with the advent of trains, provided the perfect fuel to this development.
Once in New Town you will be able to discover the historic Wenceslas Square. Here you will visit many wonderful examples of Art Nouveau, including the beautiful Lucerna bar and the majestic Grand Hotel Europa which both serve as fantastic examples of early twentieth century Czech optimism. In addition to artistic analysis of the Art Nouveau aesthetics you will also look at how the movement in Prague represented the transcendence of past ethnic affliction and showed the region's readiness to "rejoin" Europe.
To provide the perfect balance you will also spend time exploring the architecture of Cubism and Rondocubism. Today Prague remains as a rare city that contains examples of both of these design styles. Whether it be the House of the Black Madonna, designed by Josef Gocar, or Cubist villas, each location will provide a new lens from which to analyze the diverse architectural styles that demonstrated the cultural tastes and attitudes of the Czech Republic during the early 20th century.
You will finish up near Old Town as you visit major monuments that shaped the countries future. At the Municipal House you will not only consider its significance architecturally but consider it as a landmark of Czech independence. It was at this location where T.G. Masaryk announced the post WWI creation of the fledgling first Czechoslovak republic.
- Please wear comfortable walking shoes.
- Entrance fees are included.
- Please note your meeting location will be in Prague district 1. You will need to take a taxi to meet your guide at a location provided on your excursion voucher.
Days offered: 7 days a week
Departures:- 10:00 AM, duration: 3 hours Duration doesn't include transfers.
- 02:00 PM, duration: 3 hours Duration doesn't include transfers.
