Two picturesque Prague streets
October 10th 2008 03:07
With its magnificent castle, its beautiful bridges, its stunning squares, its spectacular public buildings, its imposing towers, its old towns and its vibrant squares, its easy to overlook Pragues quiet little streets. But it's well worth taking the time to wander through them, to discover some of the city’s loveliest houses and some of its most fascinating history.
Nerudova Street
Depending on your approach, Nerudova Street curves gently down or winds steeply up the hill below Prague Castle.
It takes its name from Czech poet and journalist Jan Neruda, who immortalized the district in his short stories. He lived here, between 1849 and 1857 first, at number 47, in the house At the Two Suns and later at number 41, at the house At Three Black Eagles where he wrote his first collection of poems.
Although Neruda Street attracts crowds of tourists with its quaint shops, cafes and restaurants, it is most famous for its “house signs”.
Before the introduction of house numbers in 1770, all Prague houses were distinguished by picturesque signs. Today they tell the history of the house and the people who lived in them.
The house At the Three Fiddles at number no. 12 was once the home of three very successful violin-makers who sold their instruments all over Europe. Legend has it that on quiet nights the house echoes with the haunting strains of violins. At number 41 at the house At the Red Lion a red lion holds a golden cup in his paw. Petr Brandl, the famous Czech painter lived here. His work adorns the Church of St Margaret in Prague-Brevnov or the Church of St James. The house At the Golden Lion at number 32 holds the National Museum’s Historical Pharmacies exhibition. At number 6 is the house At the Red Eagle and at number 34, the Golden Horseshoe. The Green Lobster is at number 43 and the White Swan is at number 48.
Steeped in small stories, lined with beautiful little buildings and full of surprises, Nerudova Street is a wonderful wind down from the overwhelming might and splendour of Prague Castle.
Celetna Street
Quaint and vibrant Celetna Street leads from the Old Town Square to the Powder Tower. It was once part of the Royal Route followed by the Czech Kings up to Prague Castle. Its name derives from the traditional plaited bread rolsl which were made in its bakeries for centuries.
Today Celetna Street is a popular tourist spot. Crowds stroll in its shade by day and in its romantic gas light by night. It is lined with souvenir shops, cafes and restaurants.
Still, it is its historic houses, marked by picturesque “house signs” which give Celetna Street its distinctive character and charm. The Sixt House at number 2 and At the Three Kings, at number 3, are both former homes of Prague’s most famous writer, Franz Kafka. Josepha Duskova, Mozart’s mistress once lived at number 8, At the Black Sun, at The Manhart House at number 17 was once a Piarist College but now houses the Theatre in Celetna. The House at the Vulture, at number no. 22, was one of Prague’s early breweries but has been part of Charles University since the 18th century. The house at the Four Columns, at number 25, was the home of the theologist Bernard Bolzano. The Buquoy Palace at no. 20, also now part of the Charles University, is a neo Classical gem. The House at The Black Madonna which was the first cubist building in Europe is the street’s most famous house. It now houses a permanent exhibition of Czech cubism and its Grand Orient Café sells special cubist cakes.
For history buffs, lovers of architecture and romantics a stroll down Celetna Street is a Prague must do.
Nerudova Street
Nerudova Street
Depending on your approach, Nerudova Street curves gently down or winds steeply up the hill below Prague Castle.
It takes its name from Czech poet and journalist Jan Neruda, who immortalized the district in his short stories. He lived here, between 1849 and 1857 first, at number 47, in the house At the Two Suns and later at number 41, at the house At Three Black Eagles where he wrote his first collection of poems.
Although Neruda Street attracts crowds of tourists with its quaint shops, cafes and restaurants, it is most famous for its “house signs”.
Before the introduction of house numbers in 1770, all Prague houses were distinguished by picturesque signs. Today they tell the history of the house and the people who lived in them.
The house At the Three Fiddles at number no. 12 was once the home of three very successful violin-makers who sold their instruments all over Europe. Legend has it that on quiet nights the house echoes with the haunting strains of violins. At number 41 at the house At the Red Lion a red lion holds a golden cup in his paw. Petr Brandl, the famous Czech painter lived here. His work adorns the Church of St Margaret in Prague-Brevnov or the Church of St James. The house At the Golden Lion at number 32 holds the National Museum’s Historical Pharmacies exhibition. At number 6 is the house At the Red Eagle and at number 34, the Golden Horseshoe. The Green Lobster is at number 43 and the White Swan is at number 48.
Steeped in small stories, lined with beautiful little buildings and full of surprises, Nerudova Street is a wonderful wind down from the overwhelming might and splendour of Prague Castle.
Celetna Street
Celetna Street
Quaint and vibrant Celetna Street leads from the Old Town Square to the Powder Tower. It was once part of the Royal Route followed by the Czech Kings up to Prague Castle. Its name derives from the traditional plaited bread rolsl which were made in its bakeries for centuries.
Today Celetna Street is a popular tourist spot. Crowds stroll in its shade by day and in its romantic gas light by night. It is lined with souvenir shops, cafes and restaurants.
Still, it is its historic houses, marked by picturesque “house signs” which give Celetna Street its distinctive character and charm. The Sixt House at number 2 and At the Three Kings, at number 3, are both former homes of Prague’s most famous writer, Franz Kafka. Josepha Duskova, Mozart’s mistress once lived at number 8, At the Black Sun, at The Manhart House at number 17 was once a Piarist College but now houses the Theatre in Celetna. The House at the Vulture, at number no. 22, was one of Prague’s early breweries but has been part of Charles University since the 18th century. The house at the Four Columns, at number 25, was the home of the theologist Bernard Bolzano. The Buquoy Palace at no. 20, also now part of the Charles University, is a neo Classical gem. The House at The Black Madonna which was the first cubist building in Europe is the street’s most famous house. It now houses a permanent exhibition of Czech cubism and its Grand Orient Café sells special cubist cakes.
For history buffs, lovers of architecture and romantics a stroll down Celetna Street is a Prague must do.
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