The New Town in Prague is a historical district of the Czech capital, built in the Middle Ages. It amazes tourists with its beauty and size. Despite its age, it was originally a separate city. However, its construction was finally completed only in the 19th century. Don't be misled by the name "New Town". Having heard this, you may think that a modern developed area is implied, but I will tell you that the above-mentioned place received this name back in 1348, when Charles IV began to build a new city on the site of an old settlement.
New Town borders on Stare Mesto (Old Town) and Vyšehrad. According to legend, Charles IV learned from astrologers about the impending danger - that the settlements of Mala Strana and Stare Mesto were to be destroyed by fire and water. In order to change fate and prevent a catastrophe, Charles IV ordered the construction of the New Town, which would unite the Old Town and Vyšehrad, thereby increasing the prestige of Prague.
Nove Mesto today occupies an area of about 3.5 square kilometers. Many of Prague's tourist attractions are located here. One of them is Wenceslas Square - the center of the district, where festivals and exhibitions are often held, as well as demonstrations and rallies. In short, it is the center of city life, and not only tourists but also Prague residents often spend time here.
On Wenceslas Square I would like to highlight the National Museum in the neo-Renaissance style.
The museum, founded in 1818, houses many exhibits related to painting, ethnography, architecture, music, archeology and history. From the inside, the museum looks like a palace.
In the museum you will see precious stones - gold, diamond, agate, opal and others.
The second most important landmark of Wenceslas Square is the statue of St. Wenceslas on horse:
The statue was erected in 1912. Other patrons of the Czech Republic are also depicted in this composition.
Almost every house façade facing the square is an architectural monument.
The New Town district also includes Charles Square, where the New Town Hall was erected:
At the top of the tower, at a height of 70 meters, there is an observation deck. The Town Hall building hosts exhibitions, concerts, conferences and even wedding ceremonies. Entrance is paid.
The Czech Technical University and the Faust House are also located on Charles Square.
Faust House got its name from the fact that, according to legend, the scientist and sorcerer Johann Faust lived here, having made a pact with Mephistopheles. Other legends tell us that alchemists and astrologers lived here, as well as a priest who slept in a coffin.
On the same square stands the Church of St. Ignatius of Loyola:
Be sure to take a walk along the street "Na příkopĕ" (Na příkopĕ),
visit the Prague National Theatre:
and the famous "Dancing" House on Rašinovo Beach. From a distance, it seems that the building is moving.
The idea of building this house, built in 1994-1996 in the style of deconstructivism, was to depict a dancing couple: a proudly standing man and a woman leaning on him. This building is called "Ginger and Fred", in honor of the famous Hollywood actors and dancers Ginger Rogers and Fred Astaire. On the roof of the house there is a restaurant of the same name with a viewing terrace.
To get to the "Dancing" House, take the yellow B metro line to the Karlovo náměstí stop (upon arrival you will have to walk 300 meters along the beach), or take bus №176, 904, 910 and tram №1, 11, 13, 17, 25 to the Jiráskovo náměstí stop.
To get to different parts of the Nové Město district, take the green A metro line to the Muzeum or Mustek (the closest stops to Wenceslas Square), yellow B metro line to the stop Florenc, Namestti republiky, Mustek, Narodni trida, Karlovo namesti, red C metro line to the stop Florenc, Hlavni nadrazi, Muzeum, I. P. Pavlova or by bus №176, 904, 910 and tram №1, 11, 13, 17, 25 to the stop Jiráskovo náměstí.
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