City break to Prague

When in Prague

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Astronomincal Clock Photo - Prague, Czech Republic

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The city of Prague is divided into five main areas, and is split by the Vltava river. On the right bank, we have the Old Town, New Town, and Jewish Quarters. (Our Hotel was in Old Town). On the left bank, there is the "Little Quarter" and the Prague Castle and Hradcany area. Any good guidebook will show the main areas and main attractions of each, allowing you to make the most of your visit- we had purchased the eye-witness guide. The best way to explore the city initially is on foot. We had a five night break in Prague, which is probably a little longer than average, but did give us plenty of time to explore every corner, and have time to relax and watch the world go by. Once you set out ...Read More

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Museum Of Communism

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Attraction | "Dreams, Reality and Nightmares"

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I had not heard of the Museum of Communism before my recent trip to Prague. Perhaps that it caught the attention of both my husband and I at the exact same time while on a brief visit to the tourist Information centre meant we were destined to go and visit. Even more conveniently, the Museum was situated on the same road as our hotel and a mere five minute walk away. It also has great opening hours, meaning a visit is possible in the early evening. Finally the irony of the fact that they give their directions as being sandwiched in between a McDonalds restaurant and a Casino was not lost on us. It was not however in our DK guide book of the city, and so is one of those places that could easily be over...Read More

I had not heard of the Museum of Communism before my recent trip to Prague. Perhaps that it caught the attention of both my husband and I at the exact same time while on a brief visit to the tourist Information centre meant we were destined to go and visit. Even more conveniently, the Museum was situated on the same road as our hotel and a mere five minute walk away. It also has great opening hours, meaning a visit is possible in the early evening. Finally the irony of the fact that they give their directions as being sandwiched in between a McDonalds restaurant and a Casino was not lost on us. It was not however in our DK guide book of the city, and so is one of those places that could easily be overlooked.

Prague was, in fact, under communist rule until relatively recent times - 1989. Most of us can remember the fall of the Berlin Wall but I have to admit I struggle to remember news coverage of events in Prague at the same time. The Velvet Revolution and the return of power did go relatively smoothly, all things considered, and perhaps that has contributed to my loss of memory.

The purpose of the museum is to portray an insight into life during the period of occupation, which lasted from just after the second world war until that day in 1989. Admission costs an affordable 180 CZK which is a fraction over £1 and is good value for money given the information and artefacts it contains.

As my title suggests - the main theme of the museum is to portray Communism - as the Dream, The Reality, and the Nightmares. While there are plenty of posters, artefacts and objects from the period, most of the displays provide information to the visitor (in several languages) and the museum starts with the theories of Communism per the Marx period (The dream), before moving into the reality by showing aspects of every day life and finally the nightmare that was communism.

Regardless of any regime, city life must go on, and the museum offers an insight into the various aspects of that life, including sport, politics, schooling, media propoganda and censorship. There is a small area which shows a video of footage from the period, showing the struggles and the sacrifices as the people of Prague fought against the regime.

There is no particular political slant to the museum, or not one that is immediately apparent - it is simply there as a collection of objects and information from which the visitor can form their own impression of life in the city during this period.

It's perhaps not the most exciting museum although I personally enjoyed the aspects which relate much to every day life. A visit would take no more than perhaps one hour, and for anyone visiting the city and wanting to learn more about its political and social history, then it is extremely worthwhile to visit

Museum of Communism
Na Prikope 10
110 00, Prague 1
Czech Republic

Tel.: +420 224 212 966
Gsm.: +420 777 949 472
E-mail: muzeum@muzeumkomunismu.cz

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Member Rating 4 out of 5 on July 4, 2009

Museum Of Communism
Na Prikope 10
Prague, Czech Republic
+420 2 2421 2966

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Terezin Ghetto Museum and Memorial

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Attraction | "Arbeit Macht Frei"

Entrance to Terezin Photo - Terezin Ghetto Museum and Memorial, Prague, Czech Republic

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Situated 60km north west of Prague, the town of Terezin with its population of a few thousand inhabitants should have remained a sleepy little country town that few people could locate on a map. All that changed in 1939 with the occupation of Czechoslovakia. Terezin was used as a ghetto by the Nazis for the period of the Second World War. While it was not specifically intended as an extermination camp, it was still the final home of tens and thousands of Jews who died here in the appalling conditions. Those that did survive were sent to other extermination camps in the region, including Auschwitz. The Terezin Memorial actually consists of a number of exhibitions and...Read More

Member Rating 5 out of 5 on July 4, 2009

Terezin Ghetto Museum and Memorial
Principova alej 304
Terezin, Czech Republic 411 55
+420 416 782 225

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Prague Zoo

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Attraction | "City Zoo with a View"

Polar Bear at Prague Zoo Photo - Prague Zoo, Prague, Czech Republic

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Prague Zoo is situated a few miles outside the city centre itself and can be reached via the tube line C to Holesovice and then by bus 112. The bus itself can be quite an ordeal as it gets absolutely packed with passengers and reminded me more of transport in Asia than anywhere else! Thankfully it is only a few kilometres to the park entrance. Prague Zoo has changed enormously since 1931 when it opened. Back then there were only 8 hectares, and less than 100 animals, and visitors could only enter the zoo at weekends. Nowadays the Zoo receives over one million visitors a year, visiting over 4500 animals in over 60 hectares of land and the zoo is open daily (and until 7pm in summ...Read More

Member Rating 4 out of 5 on July 4, 2009

Prague Zoo

Prague, Czech Republic

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Kampa Park

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Restaurant | "Fine Dining?"

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The Kampa Park, part of the Kampa group of restaurants in Prague is one of the premier fine dining restaurant experiences in this fine city. The restaurant is situated in the lesser quarter, on the bank of the river and within a couple of minutes walk from the magnificent Charles Bridge. We hadn’t planned our visit in advance, in fact we had set out a little aimlessly, trying to find somewhere to eat – sometimes too much choice is harder than too little! However the lights of the Kampa Park, together with the restaurants on either side tempted us across the Bridge one final time – and I am so glad that they did. We arrived fairly late, well after 8pm without a dinner reservatio...Read More

Member Rating 5 out of 5 on July 4, 2009

Kampa Park
Na Kampe 8, Kampa Island
Prague, Czech Republic
+420 5731 3493

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Eurostars Thalia Hotel

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Hotel | "Five Star Service"

Bedroom Eurostars Thalia Photo - Eurostars Thalia Hotel, Prague, Czech Republic

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The Eurostars Thalia hotel in Prague was recently our home for a five night break in the city. Picking a hotel had been a challenge in itself – there is that much choice in Prague and it is so easy to pick a lemon. I eventually selected the five star Thalia for its value for money, location and contemporary design – I wanted something a little out of the ordinary, however I didn’t quite have the budget to stretch to something totally indulgent. Like most hotels the Thalia yields its rates on a daily basis, depending on its occupancy etc, and my nightly rate did differ from night to night, with the three cheapest nights being €180 together with rates of €199 and €219 for the most expensive ...Read More

Member Rating 4 out of 5 on July 4, 2009

Eurostars Thalia Hotel
Narodni Trida 13
Prague
+420221011333

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