where to go - i
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where to go - i
i Prague where to go information and sights august – october 2011 i Prague Liberec Region ... a colourful holiday Currently... 19. 5. – 11. 9. Prague Biennale 5 / Prague Biennale Photo 2 – the 5th edition of the contemporary art exhibition – Microna Modřany www.praguebiennale.org 2. 8. Giacomo Puccini: La Bohème – screening of the MET opera performance – Světozor cinema www.kinosvetozor.cz 10. – 14. 8. Prague Pride 2011 – a festival of pride and tolerance – Prague centre www.praguepride.cz 17. 8. The National – a concert of the acclaimed American indie-rock band – Archa theatre www.archatheatre.cz 21. 8. – 4. 9. Letní Letná – the 8th international festival of new circus and theatre – Letná park www.letniletna.cz 22. 8. Symphonica: The Orchestral Tour – a concert of the legendary British singer George Michael www.opera.cz – State Opera Prague 25. – 30. 8. Prague Fair – the 8th edition of the international folklore festival – Ovocný trh www.prazskyjarmark.cz 12. 5. – 4. 9. Glamour / Women’s Formal and Evening Wear 1950 – 2010 from the collections of the Museum of Decorative Arts in Prague – an exhibition of ladies’ formal and evening garments – Museum of Decorative Arts www.upm.cz 31. 5. – 11. 9. Porcelain at Prague Castle – a pottery exhibition from the Prague Castle collections www.kulturanahrade.cz – Queen Anne’s Summer Palace – Prague Castle 17. 6. – 3. 10. Prague Baroque Festival – unique open-air performances of Baroque operas – Ledebour Garden below Prague Castle www.prazskebaroknislavnosti.cz 4. – 9. 10. Designblok ´11 – the 13th Design Days festival – Futurama, Karlín www.designblok.cz 4. 10. – 9. 11. AghaRTA PRAGUE JAZZ FESTIVAL 2011 – the 20th edition of the international jazz festival – Lucerna Music Bar www.agharta.cz 6. – 9. 10. Indian Film Festival – the 9th festival of Bollywood films – Světozor, Evald cinemas www.bollywood.cz 13. 10. Guano Apes – the return of the German alternative rock band with the new album Bel Air – KC Vltavská 19. – 23. 10. DAS FILMFEST – the 6th edition of the festival of German-language films – Lucerna, Evald cinemas 20. 10. – 13. 11. TINA B. – the 6th festival of contemporary arts – various venues in Prague www.vltavska.cz www.dasfilmfest.cz www.tina-b.eu i Prague Did you know that... ◗ Václav Havel An outdoor exhibition of large-format photographs on Wenceslas Square will mark the 75th birthday of Václav Havel (5 October). The fascinating life story of the Czech dramatist, essayist, stage and film director, dissident, political prisoner and president will be traced through the works of those who accompanied and depicted him during various periods of his life (Karel Cudlín, Přemysl Fialka, Bohdan Holomíček, Ivan Kyncl, Pavel Štecha, etc.). The outdoor exhibition will be followed by an indoor display at the DOX Centre. In addition to Prague, the exhibition will also take place at the seat of the European Parliament in Strasbourg and, in co-operation with the network of Czech Centres, in other European cities. It will last from 22 September to 30 October. ◗ Prague Fashion Weekend ◗ Attention! On 24 and 25 September Prague Fashion Weekend will take place on elegant Pařížská street in the centre of Prague. Just like last year, models will display creations of Czech and foreign designers on one of the longest catwalks in Central Europe. This year, the visitors can look forward to, among other things, a new collection by the famous Dutch duo Viktor & Rolf. On 7 July the doors of the National Museum on Wenceslas Square closed for four years. The historical building is set to undergo an extensive and much-needed renovation (it has not been properly repaired since its opening in 1891). We can look forward to the reopening of the refurbished National Museum building in 2015 and in the meantime visit some of its numerous other www.nm.cz displays. www.praguefashionweekend.cz www.medialogue.cz ◗ Strings of Autumn On 26 September the 16th edition of Strings of Autumn will begin in Prague. The international festival comprises classical, early music, experimental, crossover, world music and jazz concerts featuring distinguished Czech and international artists (to name but a few: Avishai Cohen, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Sir Willard White, Vivica Genaux). It will take place at various concert halls until www.strunypodzimu.cz 10 November. The current brochure can also be found at www.i-prague.info i Prague Model of Prague Premiere September 2011 Rupert Holmes, Original Libretto and Concept Peter Stone, Music John Kander, Lyrics Fred Ebb Libretto John Kander and Rupert Holmes CURTAINS translated and Czech lyrics wrote Additional Lyrics American musical Adam NovÁk ENGLISH SUBTITLES FULL ON AND ALWAYS LIVE OTHER REPERTOIRE: CARMEN THE MUSICAL • JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR • POLSKÁ KREV (POLISH BLOOD) • PRODUCENTI (THE PRODUCERS) • ČARDÁŠOVÁ PRINCEZNA (THE GIPSY PRINCESS) • NOC NA KARLŠTEJNĚ WWW.HDK.CZ Křižíkova 10, Praha 8, tel.: +420 221 868 666 At the present time, Prague can pride itself on two exquisite models of the city. The older of the two, Langweil’s, is on display at the Museum of the City of Prague and captures the town as it looked circa 1830. The second model, depicting Prague at the end of the 20th century, can be found at the Království železnic (Kingdom of Railways) in Anděl, Prague 5. Its creators originally intended to make the model on the scale of 1:500 yet this would have simply been too large. Hence, they settled on 1:1000. The construction was launched in 1980 by the architects Vlastimil Slíva and Jiří Straka, who gradually created a total of 305 sections, each with the dimensions of 50 x 62.5 cm. The model was completed in 2000. In addition to the historical centre, it covers a substantial proportion of the city’s built-up area. The model stretches over 115.5 square metres, equivalent to 11,812 hectares in reality. All the objects are made of plexiglass, since this material was the most suitable for elaborating fine details, and were finally sprayed with a thin layer of white paint. The display is interactive, edifying and extremely attractive. Visitors have available 4 touch screens through which they can control the cameras and zoom in on any of the 400 selected objects, each accompanied by a thorough description from the database of the Prague Information Service and photographs of the real building. Projectors make it possible to screen the model: you can see the route of the metro, significant buildings, museums, parks, the main cycle paths, etc. Model of Prague www.model-prahy.cz i Prague 170th anniversary of Antonín Dvořák’s birth On 8 September, 170 years will have passed since the birth of Antonín Dvořák, one of the most distinguished Czech composers. The life and work of the musical genius will be commemorated by numerous exhibitions, concerts and other celebratory events. Selected events taking place in Prague: Antonín Dvořák 8. 6. 2011 – 29. 2. 2012 – A remarkable exhibition shedding new light on the celebrated Czech composer, guiding the visitors through his life and work in a multimedia form. They also have the opportunity to see Dvořák’s personal items, correspondence with friends and well-known personalities, as well as the original scores of the composer’s most famous pieces. On display too is the autograph of the famous Symphony No. 9, From the New World, one of the most frequently performed symphonies worldwide. Czech Museum of Music www.nm.cz Antonín Dvořák’s Diplomas 11. 1. 2011 – 8. 1. 2012 – During his lifetime, Antonín Dvořák was awarded diplomas and honorary memberships from various prestigious musical and cultural institutions. These documents are on display for the very first time. They not only illustrate Dvořák’s popularity but also bear witness to the graphic style of their time. The Antonín Dvořák Museum, Villa America, houses a permanent exhibition Antonín Dvořák (1841–1904) – dedicated to the world-renowned Czech composer. Antonín Dvořák Museum www.nm.cz The gala opening concert Cornissimo 2011 to mark the 20th anniversary of Hornclass, the 150th anniversary of the Prague Hlahol Choral Society and the 170th anniversary of the birth of Antonín Dvořák 6. 8. 2011 – The chamber orchestra Camerata filarmonica Bohemia and the Hlahol Choral Society. Programme: A. Dvořák: Psalm 149, Op 79; Mass in D major, Op. 86; R. Strauss: Concerto No. 1. Church of the Virgin Mary of the Snow www.praguehorn.cz Dvořák’s Prague 8.– 24. 9. – The 4th edition of the international classical music festival celebrating the Czech composer’s legacy. Prague annually hosts world-renowned orchestras, conductors and performers. On the eve of the festival, the Antonín Dvořák Award will be handed over to this year’s winner, the conductor Jiří Kout, music director of the Prague Symphony Orchestra. various venues in Prague www.dvorakovapraha.cz Tip: Antonín Dvořák’s final resting place is situated in the Vyšehrad cemetery, well worth visiting in itself. The bust of the composer with motifs of a weeping willow and a harp is the work of the sculptor www.praha-vysehrad.cz Ladislav Šaloun. i Prague Tracing Prague myths and legends Prague is a magical city whose history spans more than a thousand years. Its ancient buildings, mazy cobbled lanes and dark nooks are connected with various fables that shroud the city in mystery. Set out to trace the eerie legends of old Prague and find out whether there is at least a grain of truth in them. The Faust House One of the most mysterious places in Prague is the Faust House on Karlovo square. This Baroque building conceals many macabre mysteries connected with black magic and alchemy. Legend has it that it was the residence of Doctor Faust, who so longed for eternal life and knowledge that he sold his soul to the Devil, who ultimately took him to hell through a hole in the ceiling. Another inhabitant of the Faust House was an impoverished student who practised black magic until one day he vanished without leaving a trace. Historically documented is the fact that several alchemists lived in the house, among them the notorious Edward Kelley, the court alchemist of Emperor Rudolf II, who claimed to have invented the sorcerers’ stone by which he was able to transmute base metals into gold. In the 18th century, another tenant of the Faust House, the magician Mladota, would entertain his guests by carrying out chemical and physical experiments and conjure up marvellous automatic moving figurines. In the 20th century the Faust House became home to the highly eccentric Karl Jaenig, a man obsessed with death. He allegedly slept in a coffin and collected human bones and funeral items. Gruesome accidents occurred in the house, several fires broke out for mysterious reasons. Alchemist paintings were revealed on the walls and numerous cat skeletons discovered in the cellar. The Prague Golem The legend of the Golem is one of the most famous of all Prague fables. During the rule of Emperor Rudolf II, the artificial man was created by Rabbi Yehuda Löw with the aim to protect the Jewish quarter against Christian attacks. The Golem was activated when the Rabbi inserted a shem (a parchment with a magic formula) into his mouth. The fearsome creature only obeyed his creator, carried out the work he was ordered to do, and was duly deactivated once the shem was removed. One day, however, the Rabbi forgot to take out the parchment. The Golem came to life and since he had nothing useful to do he went berserk, trashing the furniture and fittings in the Rabbi’s house. The terrified servant ran to the synagogue and beseeched the Rabbi to destroy the Golem. Löw shouted at the Golem to stop and proceeded to remove the shem from his mouth. Subsequently, the Golem allegedly crumbled into dust. Legend has it that the Golem’s body is kept in the attic of the Old-New Synagogue in Prague’s Jewish Quarter. The Daliborka Tower The Daliborka Tower is situated amidst the vast Prague Castle complex. It was once part of the lateGothic fortifications and until the end of the 18th century served as a prison. The tower was named after the first person to be jailed there, Dalibor of Kozojedy. The valiant young knight was sentenced to death and shut away in a dungeon for providing shelter to disobedient serfs. According to legend, while imprisoned in the dark tower Dalibor learnt to play the violin. The beautiful strains spread through the air and attracted Praguers, who would gather beneath the tower, listen and bring the prisoners food and drink. Dalibor was i Prague so popular that the date of his execution was never announced. One day, however, the violin playing ceased for good. JIŘÍ SRNEC: LEGENDS OF MAGIC PRAGUE Brand new multimedia show THE FIRST MULTIMEDIA THEATRE EVER NO LANGUAGE BARRIER Laterna magika at the National Theatre New Stage | Národní třída 4, Praha 1 e-mail: novascena@narodni-divadlo.cz www.laterna.cz | www.novascena.cz Czech Philharmonic Orchestra LANGWEIL’S 3D 1826-1837 3D cinema – unique virtual flight over the Langweil’s model of Prague MODEL OF PRAGUE Opening concert of the International Music Festival „Talich‘s Beroun“ 2/9/2011 Friday 8:00 p.m. 18/10/2011 Tuesday 7:00 p.m. Dvořák Hall, Rudolfinum Dvořák Hall, Rudolfinum LANGWEIL’S MODEL OF PRAGUE Open: Tue – Sun 9 a.m. – 6 p.m. Na Poříčí 52, Prague 8 - Florenc Metro line C/B - Florenc station Special concert in honor of Václav Talich www.ceskafilharmonie.cz TALICH The Headless Templar After midnight, a headless rider courses through the lanes of the Old Town near Liliová street and Charles Bridge. He is seeking a brave person who would stop his horse, take his sword, stab him through the heart and finally relieve him of his burden. Opening concert of the 2011/2012 season Václav THE CITY OF PRAGUE MUSEUM The Begging Skeleton The begging skeleton wanders through the Old Town in the vicinity of the Karolinum (the complex of buildings of Charles University, on the corner of Ovocný trh and Železná street, close to Old Town Square). He ignores sober people yet begs money from the drunk. Legend has it that the man sold his skeleton to a doctor but spent all the money on alcohol and gambling and in the end died in a pub fight with fellow drunkards. OPENING concert The Mad Barber The tale of the mad barber dates back to the time of Emperor Rudolf II. The barber was quite successful yet was not satisfied with the money his job earned him. Hence, he decided to become an alchemist. He practised magic rituals at home and attempted to produce gold, yet his greed would ultimately destroy him. The barber’s desperate wife killed herself by jumping from a rampart. The man went insane and began attacking passers-by with his razor. Once night has fallen, the ghost of the mad barber walks through Karlova street in the Old Town and seeks deliverance. He can only be saved by an intrepid fellow agreeing to let the barber shave him with shaking hands and a mad expression on his face. i Prague Emmaus Monastery REGULAR SHUTTLE BUS AIRPORT ¯ CITY CENTRE COMFORTABLE AND DIRECT TRANSPORT FROM PRAGUE AIRPORT TO THE CITY CENTRE OR BACK Airport bus stop: T1 exit F, T2 exit E Bus stop - CITY CENTRE is in V CELNICI Street • NEXT TO METRO LINE B • & • 40 METRES FROM NÁMĚSTÍ REPUBLIKY • LEAVES EVERY 30 MINUTES ONE WAY TICKET ONLY 120,- CZK / PERSON www.cedaz.cz The Emmaus (Emauzy) Monastery was founded in 1347 by Charles IV, Holy Roman Emperor and King of Bohemia. In addition to the Virgin Mary, he chose the Czech saints Adalbert, Procopius, Cyril, Methodius and Jerome to be the monastery’s patrons. The Gothic church was consecrated on Easter Monday 1372, when the gospel on the encounter of the resurrected Christ with his disciples in Emmaus was read at the ceremony. In the 1360s, the monastery’s cloister was adorned with 85 Gothic frescos depicting scenes from the Old and New Testaments. The paintings were the work of the Master of the Emmaus Cycle (whose name is unknown), Nicholas Wurmser of Strasbourg and Master Oswald. In the 17th and 18th centuries, the buildings assumed a Baroque appearance and two early-Baroque towers were added to the church. During World War II, the monastery was taken over by the Gestapo and the monks transported to concentration camps. Parts of the building were destroyed during British and American bombing raids. Only in 1960, after the two towers (which make the structure truly remarkable) were completed did the monastery acquire its current appearance. At the present time, visitors can view the cloister with 14th-century frescos, the Baroque refectory, the royal chapel in the Beuron style and the monastery church. i Prague AMoYA Foto: Yan Renelt The Artbanka Museum of Young Art (AMoYA) opened in Prague on 21 July. This unique project aims to present and support young visual artists in the Czech Republic and Slovakia, as well as in the wider Central European context. AMoYA is located in the Colloredo-Mansfeld Palace in Karlova street, in the very centre of Prague. The dilapidated Baroque building, whose spaces are being used prior to its overall restoration, is a prime example of the insensitive construction modifications that were carried out on historical monuments before 1989. Many of the brutal architectural interventions have become an integral part of the museum’s displays, thus highlighting the artistic intention. The Colloredo-Mansfeld Palace served as a platform for young artists back in the 19th century. The first display of paintings was held here in 1808, and in 1840 the palace housed the first exhibition of the Bohemian Fine Arts Association, established in 1835 by the Society of Patriotic Friends of Arts, the precursor to today’s National Gallery. The Society co-ordinated the arts market and organised annual fairs and spring exhibitions that afforded artists the opportunity to present their work and gain recognition. AMoYA is a place where young artists, their teachers and arts-lovers can get together. Over an area of more than 4,000 square metres, the museum offers a large selection of works by young Czech and foreign artists. At the present time, it displays over 250 pictures, installations, sculptures and videos created by some 133 artists. The Artbanka Museum of Young Art’s conception combines permanent and temporary exhibitions of key and cult works of the past two decades within the Czech visual arts, contemporary arts and the Young Visual Art programme – a space earmarked for arts academies from the Czech and Slovak Republics for presenting works created by their students, graduates and pedagogues. The AMoYA project is the fruit of co-operation between the Gallery of the City of Prague and Artbanka, a project helping young artists at the outset of their career by purchasing their works, which are subsequently offered on the Artbanka website. The money raised is used in turn to buy other works of art. In addition to displaying the purchased works in national and semi-national institutions, Artbanka also promotes the best young artists at exhibitions in the Czech Republic, as well as at international shows. AMoYA will be based at the Colloredo-Mansfeld Palace until the launch of the building’s renovation, for which sufficient finance has yet to be found. Until then, the museum visitors have the opportunity to delight in this exquisite space abounding in original young art. Artbanka Museum of Young Art www.artbanka.cz i Prague café Louvre e s t . G INDOOR SKPYRDAIVGINUE IN 1 9 0 2 Tupolevova, Praha 9 016 Tel.: +420 734 676 Galerie Rudolfinum 08 / 09 — 13 / 11 / 2011 A favourite hang-out of Prague residents, also visited by Karel âapek, Franz Kafka, Albert Einstein . . . CAFÉ ~ Alšovo nábřeží 12 CZ — 110 01 Praha 1 www.galerierudolfinum.cz Výstavu připravilo / An Exhibition produced by the Musée de l’Elysée, Lausanne om www.skydivearena.c Do You Speak Czech? No? LOUVRE, Národní tfiída 22, Praha 1 tel. 224 930 949, 724 054 055 cafelouvre@cafelouvre.cz, www.cafelouvre.cz www.czechstepbystep.cz i Prague Charles University in Prague Institute for Language and Preparatory Studies • intensive courses of Czech as a foreign language in Prague - one-year course, one-semester, six-week and evening Czech language courses, special courses, one-to-one courses, online courses, preparatory courses for university studies • preparatory courses for language exams • standardized exams of Czech language for foreigners Touch PILSNER URQUELL BREWERY TOURS Visit the Original the Nature UJOP, Vratislavova 10, 128 00 Praha 2, www.ujop.cuni.cz fax: +420-224 990 440, e-mail: ujop@ujop.cuni.cz Discover the authentic places where the famous Pilsner Urquell beer has been brewed since 1842 and taste this special beer drawn directly from oak lager barrels in historical brewery cellars. THE SECOND LARGEST URBAN ZOO PARK Only 1 hour from Prague. Opened daily. U Prazdroje 7, Plzeň, Tel: +420 377 062 888 E-mail: visits@pilsner.sabmiller.com Chomutov CONSERVATION AREA IN THE www.eChomutov.cz www.prazdrojvisit.cz COUNTRY stunningly different INFORMATION CENTRE Upper Square – Town Hall Tel: +420 585 513 385 infocentrum@olomouc.eu tourism.olomouc.eu 2 hrs from Prague Fill up at Agip, collect points and obtain a bonus. The Czech Republic: castles and chateaux admired throughout the world. Twelve sights included in the UNESCO world heritage list. Gourmet specialities for lovers of traditional flavours. Cafés, festivals and the joy of shopping. Wellness and active leisure activities in harmony with nature. Simply amazing. www.tipsfortrips.cz www.czechspecials.com www.czechtourism.com LIBEREC Welcome to this city of one hundred thousand in North Bohemia, a city which lies in the basin enclosed by the Jizera Mountains and the Ještěd Mountain Ridge. Sights: ZOO Botanical Gardens Centrum Babylon TV tower Ještěd www.liberec.cz i Prague Interesting events in Czech regions Moravian Autumn 7. – 21. 10. Brno ◗ The 46th international music festival hosted by the Moravian metropolis, Brno. www.mhf-brno.cz Jičín – A Fairy-Tale Town 7. – 11. 9. Jičín ◗ An annual festival of traditional Czech fairy tales featuring a bountiful programme for children, including creative workshops, exhibitions, games and theatre. www.pohadka.cz CIAF – Czech International Air Fest 3. – 4. 9. Hradec Králové ◗ The 18th edition of the largest air show in the Czech Republic. You can look forward to an action-packed weekend “with your head in the clouds”. www.airshow.cz Česká Pojišťovna Velká Pardubická Steeplechase 9. 10. Pardubice ◗ The 121st edition of the prestigious horse-race, the oldest and most demanding steeplechase in Central www.pardubice-racecourse.cz Europe. Pilsner Fest 26. – 27. 8. Plzeň ◗ A culture and gastronomy festival in the city of the worldfamous Czech beer brand. This year the event is taking place directly within the premises of the Pilsner Urquell brewery. Visitors can look forward to lots of music, competitions and other entertainment.t www.pilsnerfest.cz i Prague A town founded on silver A town of great historical significance, Kutná Hora is mainly famous for mining of silver and silver ore, as well as manufacture of Czech coins. At the end of the 13th century, the local deposits accounted for approximately one-third of Europe’s silver production. Besides silver mines and a mint, this beautiful town contains many historic sites, with the most attractive for tourists being the magnificent Cathedral of St Barbara. Kutná Hora is a noted Czech historical protected area and has received a UNESCO World Heritage listing. Cathedral of St Barbara The Cathedral of St Barbara, patron saint of miners, is a Gothic structure whose history is synonymous with the long struggle of the Kutná Hora citizens for spiritual autonomy from the nearby Sedlec Monastery. The conflict gave rise to the building of the colossal cathedral. The construction was launched in 1388 and according to some sources the church was planned to be twice as large as the current one. The work took place in several phases and was interrupted on a few occasions, with the progress largely depending on the current prosperity of the silver mines. The construction was only definitively completed in 1905. Over the course of several centuries, leading Czech as well as world-renowned architects and constructors participated in building the cathedral. Cemetery chapel with an ossuary The current appearance of the cemetery chapel, which was built at the end of the 14th century, is the result of Baroque modifications carried out by the architect J. B. Santini in the early 18th century. The decorations made from human skeletal remains are probably the work of the woodcarver František Rint. Unique is the enormous chandelier adorned with human bones, as well as the cross, chalices, monstrance and coat-of-arms of the Schwarzenberg family made from the same macabre material. According to estimates, the decorations in the Sedlec ossuary are made up of the remains of some 40,000 people. The work sought to emphasise the transience of human life and the existence of death in the starkest terms. Silver mines and mint The history of Kutná Hora is synonymous with the mining of silver ores. The first written records of the local silver deposits date back to 1260. Visitors can see part of the silver mine – the St George’s Gallery – dressed in traditional miner’s clothing: a white coat, a helmet with a head lamp – and experience, among other things, complete darkness when all the lights go off in the shaft. In the adjacent museum you can see how Czech royal coins were produced in olden times. Žehušice – a unique game preserve abounding in white deer The game preserve spread over the area of 270 ha is located approximately 15 km east of Kutná Hora. It is famous for breeding white stags and today can boast of having 130 of these magnificent animals and it is one of the few herds of white deer kept in the world. G A Kutná Hora Tue — Sun 10 AM — 6 PM i Prague Useful information: ◗ Prague is the capital city of the Czech Republic. It has approximately 1.3 million inhabitants, on an area of some 500 sq km (193 sq mi). The President of the Czech Republic resides in the Prague Castle. The office is currently held by Václav Klaus. The official Czech currency is the Czech Koruna, and Czech is the official language. ◗ There are three underground (metro) lines operating in Prague – green (A), yellow (B) and red (C). The metro system interconnects all the important places around the city, with tram and bus connections to destinations where the metro does not reach. The public transport network is reliable and covers the city thoroughly. The metro operates daily from 5 a.m. to midnight, and to 1 a.m. on Friday and Saturday nights. After 1 a.m., public transport is secured by night tram and bus lines. WOULD YOU LIKE TO GET TO KNOW PRAGUE? Buy the new book 33 PRAGUE TRIPS by public transport On sale at Infocentres of the Prague Transport Company for 150 CZK. More at www.dpp.cz ◗ The central coach station in Prague is located at “Florenc” (metro line C, station “Florenc”). The main railway station is just next door (metro line C, station “Hlavní nádraží”). Another important transport hub is the Holešovice railway station (metro line C, station “Nádraží Holešovice”). ◗ The majority of shops open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. on workdays. It is, however, easy to do one’s shopping at weekends as well, primarily thanks to numerous shopping centres (e.g. Palladium near metro station “náměstí Republiky”, Nový Smíchov near metro station “Anděl”, or Centrum Chodov at metro station “Chodov”). ◗ Alcohol and cigarettes can be purchased at nearly any grocery shop as well as at numerous specialised outlets. Only those above 18 years of age may legally drink alcoholic beverages in the Czech Republic, while doing so in many public places around Prague is prohibited and a finable offence. The most popular beverage in the country is beer. The Czech Republic is home to the best beer in the world. Numerous breweries apply production technologies of longstanding tradition and make beers with various degrees of alcohol content in a broad range of tastes. A pint (around half a litre) of beer costs around CZK 30 on average. ◗ Traditional Czech dishes are a meal of braised beef with cream sauce and bread dumplings and roast pork with dumplings and cabbage, while the traditional Christmas meal is carp. Main courses in restaurants usually cost (depending on location) from CZK 120 to CZK 300. ◗ Popular souvenirs purchased in the Czech Republic include Czech cut glass, porcelain, traditional liquors (Becherovka – herbal bitters, mead, Slivovice – plum brandy), Bohemian garnets, amber, wooden marionettes, art and design pieces, folk art pieces, spa wafers and typical spa drinking cups, etc. ◗ Bank holidays in the Czech Republic: 1 January – New Year, Easter Monday, 1 May – Labour Day, 8 May – Liberation Day, 5 July – The Day of Missionaries and Saints Cyril and Methodius, 6 July – Jan Hus (John Huss) Day, 28 September – Czech Statehood Day, 28 October – Independence Day, 17 November - Struggle for Freedom and Democracy Day, 24 December – Christmas Eve, 25 December – Christmas Day, 26 December – Boxing Day. Public transport fares: TYPE OF TICKET Adults Children up to 15 years Basic 90 min. CZK 32 CZK 16 Short-term 30 min. CZK 24 CZK 12 1 day 24-hour CZK 110 CZK 55 3 days 72-hour CZK 310 - Airport Express (AE) Ruzyně Airport – Main Railway Station CZK 50 CZK 30 i Prague Public transport links to Ruzyně Airport: Bus 119 – “Dejvická” (metro line A) – “Letiště Praha” – 22 min. Bus 100 – “Zličín” (metro line B) – “Letiště Praha” – 16 min. Bus 179 – “Nové Butovice” (metro line B) – “Letiště Praha” – 38 min. Bus 225 – “Nové Butovice” (metro line B) – “Letiště Praha” – 53 min. (only selected connections during weekdays) Airport Express – Prague main railway station “Hlavní nádraží” (metro line C, with SC, EC, IC and EN type rail links) – “Letiště Praha” – 33 min. Currency exchange rates: One US dollar buys approximately 19 CZK, one Euro approximately 25 CZK, and one pound sterling approximately 30 CZK. Postal services: The main post office is located at 14 Jindřišská Street in the very centre of the city, near metro station “Můstek”, the interchange metro station for the A and B lines. The post office is open daily from 2 a.m. until midnight. Banks: Most banks are open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Important telephone numbers: Useful links: The EU universal emergency telephone number: www.czech.cz 112 official website of the Czech Republic Fire Brigade emergency number: www.praha.eu 150 web portal of the City of Prague Emergency medical service number: www.praguewelcome.cz 155 Prague tourist web portal Municipal police emergency number: www.czechtourism.com 156 official travel site of the Czech Republic Emergency number of the Police: www.kudyznudy.cz 158 ideas for trips Information line (telephone numbers, traffic information, information on cultural events, etc.): www.florenc.cz 1188 www.cd.cz website of the Florenc coach terminal Czech Railways website Prague contact centre: 12444 www.prg.aero Prague Airport website Roadside assistance: 1230 Airport information – nonstop lines: 220 113 314, 220 113 321 International country calling code for the Czech Republic: +420 (00420) www.dpp.cz website of the Prague public transport operator www.chmi.cz website of the Czech Institute of Hydrometeorology– information on weather in the Czech Republic Transportation map Daily operation, June 2011 TOURIST INFORMATION CENTRES • Old-Town Hall • Main Railway Station • Lesser-Town Bridge Tower 8 15 (April – October) • Rytířská 31 • Airport Ruzyně 20 26 36 ŠPEJCHAR Vozovna Střešovice TRANSIT INFORMATION CENTRES • Airport Terminal 1 and 2 • Prague City Hall, Jungmannova 29/35, Prague 1 Metro stations: • Muzeum • Anděl • Nádraží Holešovice MK ČR E 15381 8 STARÝ HLOUBĚTÍN 25 16 21 16 i Editor: Milan Beniš Photos: Czechtourism 25 VYPICH RADLICKÁ Prague i-Prague 3/11 Quarterly journal 75,000 copies in English and 75,000 copies in German 17 15 36 Owing to the ongoing construction works, the public transport connections as depicted on the map will probably change. Please read the information at stops or call the info line 296 19 18 17. Occasional Railway station Owing to Metro the ongoing construction works terminus in Letná, the public transport Funicular connections as depicted on the map Tram routes Bus routes will probably change. in the direction AE Airport Express bus Tramthe route out of order at stops of the map Please read information or call the info line 800 19 18 17. Parking: Park & Ride Kiss & Ride www.i-prague.info for free distribution