We visited while in Prague and it was a sad but memorable experience about the Holocaust. On the…read moreway out we passed through this cemetery which was very sad after seeing the kids' drawings and names of their victims on the walls. We all thought it was worthwhile to see and gain more insight and knowledge...we visited to learn and see more about the history. The kids' drawings/ paintings were also sad to see and they were preserved very well. It was also sad to see the pics of the trains - a journey with no return I think it was called. A must-see when in the Jewish quarter and we highly recommend it.

We are on holiday in Europe. My wife and I are traveling with my daughter 19 and niece 18 from the…read moreUnited States. My wife takes her sisters kids on our summer vacation each time in graduated. This is the 7th and youngest. We have never faced this insult before here on other activities or in previous years in previous activities in other locations. So far in Prague, we did the Charles Bridge Tour, Royal Czech Orchestra, Cooking class with Brett and the Communist Museum in Prague so far. I bought tickets for Royal Czech Orchestra which was awesome. Four A section seats but forgot I had students. (My mistake). We did the Charles Bridge tour. Not sure what tickets my wife bought but also very good tour. The Communist museum was lots of information and very worthwhile. I bought two adult and two student tickets. They didn't check kids student ID. We had a visit and bought souvenirs and gifts. Now the Pinkasova Synagogue that we had decided to visit because Jana from Charles Bridge guided tour show us the cemetery and told us about the history and persecution the Jewish suffered here in Prague. Plan was to see the museum and cemetery and buy a Golem for our Jewish friend in Washington I should have bought tickets online, would have avoided this insult. Was doing so in line but line went fast so I thought I'd buy at the counter. Two adult and two students please. The 60ish woman at window demanded student IDs. My daughter had hers and showed it but my niece 18 just graduated high school in North Carolina and is going to BYU in fall. She doesn't carry her expired high school ID and doesn't have a BYU ID yet. The attendant would not accept this explanation. I suggested my niece pull out her drivers license to show the attendant her age thinking this would show student age. Ella was working at it. The attendant interjected that... your drivers license shows me you have a drivers license, not that you are a student.... Hmm you can't take that comment back. I said "ok then we just won't go."We just left. I guess you caught us. Checking IDs and unspoken accusation that we are trying to cheat the synagogue of 150 or 250 Czech dollars. You can keep your synagogue history and knowledge for yourself. We learned a lot just at the window. Next time I come I might buy tickets online, or make sure any kids have student IDs. Maybe we will all be adults or maybe I'll be old but have to show my ID so u can get senior tickets. Keep treating your patrons as liars and cheats. For now No thanks!!! We will go somewhere else.

Late Gothic Landmark with Limited Hours…read more Peter Parler and Matthias of Arras designed and built this 14th century spired cathedral. It is so interesting how the "face" has been changed with the addition of a building directly in front of the church entry. Climb the Old Town Hall Towers for a better view. Note: There are limited hours for entry. Check the schedule, we were lucky to enter 5 minutes before they closed midday.

Church of Our Lady before Týn is the name of the ridiculously gorgeous Gothic church that stands in…read morePrague's Old Town Square. You've seen pictures before. Despite visiting years ago, it took living here for a month for me to learn its name or explore inside. It wasn't until one of my new friends invited me along for a classical music performance that I became acquainted with it. I heard that it's a rarity to be able to attend a concert in the church, but I also heard the opposite, so I'm not actually sure. Either way, if you have the extra funds and want to experience some local, albeit touristy, culture, be sure to book through Via Musica. The ticket cost me around $38 (935 crowns...NOT cheap!!) but I think it was worth it for a one-time visit. I spent most of the 65-minute concert mesmerized by the church itself. Faces everywhere. Gold everywhere. Intricate designs. Unreal beauty. It was such an amazing experience! It was also cold. Keep in mind it's a very old church. Even though it's indoors, it's not like they have central heating so you'll still feel the elements. Dress appropriately! And be sure to arrive early for a good seat. If you're visiting Prague, don't miss a trip inside this church. Classical concert or not!

This smallish basilica is part of the Prague Castle complex founded in 920 by Vratislaus I of…read moreBohemia, father of Wenceslas I (aka Saint Wenceslas), built in a Romanesque style. In 976 a Benedictine convent was erected adjacent to the original building. Following a siege of Prague castle by Conrad III (King of Germany and subsequently the Holy Roman Empire) in 1142, the church sustained heavy damage from fire and was reconstructed in the following decade with the addition of two towers, which remains in similar form to this day, following further damage and rebuilding in 15th, 16th and 17th centuries. Most notably in the 17th century the front facade was rebuilt with Baroque styling. Between 1969 to 1975 the convent was also reconstructed and adapted to become a gallery displaying Bohemian art from the Czech National Gallery. The inside the building is very simple and relatively unadorned compared to other churches constructed in the 15-17th centuries. Romanesque frescos (or the remains of them) add vibrancy to the apses, though the walls are basically limestone blocks. Entombed in the mausoleum below the main nave are members of Přemyslid royal dynasty. Visitors can walk around the main areas in the basilica and convent, which takes about 20-30 minutes, though when I was there the crypt level wasn't open to the public. Currently the mass is held weekly though the building is also used as a concert hall and exhibition space. Admission to Saint George's Basilica is included in the Prague Castle basic circuit 450 CZK (~$19.53 USD) which can be purchased online or in person at the ticket office. This includes entry to the Old Castle St. Vitus Cathedral, the Golden Lane, and St. George's Basilica. While this is one of the smaller buildings in the castle, in October on a weekday I'd still recommend getting to the Castle right when it opens, or later in the afternoon a couple hours before they close, in order to avoid the crowds. I don't recall seeing a gift shop or bathrooms within the basilica itself, though both are available within the Prague Castle walls. Parking is available at lots near the castle though the majority of visitors are arriving by foot especially since a) within the castle walls normal vehicles aren't allowed, b) most routes of the ascent to the castle are mainly via staircases so there will be for most people at least some walking involved.

Entry to the building that houses the Basilica is included in certain levels of castle tickets, and…read moreit is worth a visit. Smaller than St. Vitus and the other buildings that dot the complex, it's also less crowded, but full of history and detail...and replicas of important relics. You really only need about 30-45 minutes inside, and that's if you want to allow yourself some time to sit in the pews to reflect (or take a load off). It's cool and quiet inside (if you can avoid the gaggles of teenage tourists who care not a lick for the comfort of the others around them...) There are a couple of nooks dotted around the Basilica, and a crypt at the front (that you can't enter, but still offers a good view of the interior). There are displays around the walls, containing replicas of items that are important to the history of the castle and/or the rulers. I will say that the exterior is a bit misleading. It's so bright and colorful that I had expected the interior to be the same - or at least to closely match - but that was not to be. It's pretty inside, and bright and open, but the gaily colored exterior had me expecting a bit more. It's a nice place to stop in and wander through, but you certainly won't be spending your entire day inside of it.

Such a beautiful historic church, located as part of the old town square Prague, Czechia…read more The architecture inside of the church is stunning . This church also offers concert at certain times, visitors can search up Varhanni Koncert for more information. It's located close to many other Prague old town attractions, and walking distance to restaurants and shopping. Definitely recommended by @winedinenvacay

Check out the beautiful baroque interiors and late Gothic features in this church in the Old Town…read moreSquare. Great view from the Old Town Hall Tower. Lots of concerts available. Get your tickets at the church. The house right next to the church is the location where Franz Kafka was born.

I had bookmarked this landmark and it did not disappoint. First, it is just beautiful on the…read moreoutside, the tile work and the combination of Moorish and Jewish touches make this a really striking building. Then on the inside the main area is expansive and it is full of historical information on the Jewish people in Czechia. Going upstairs, there's more information to read. The synagogue was built between 1905-1906. Initially it bore the name of the Jubilee Temple of Emperor Franz Joseph to commemorate the 50th anniversary of his reign, in 1898. After WWI, the present name, the Jerusalem Synagogue, based on the street name where it stands, slowly gained ground.

It's not often you come upon synagogues with both Moorish and Art Nouveau styles incorporated, what…read morea beautifully unexpected combination! The Jerusalem Synagogue (aka Jubilee Synagogue) was constructed in 1906 and in honor of the golden jubilee (50th anniversary) of Emperor Franz Joseph's reign, and is the largest synagogue in Prague though not the largest in the Czech Republic. Designed by Wilhelm Stiassny originally this was used as a synagogue by the Reform Judaism community though now used by a Modern Orthodox congregation. Both inside and outside are decorated with moorish horseshoe arches, bright red, gold and blue patterns--the ones on the interior painted with Art Nouveau patterns. One of the more elaborate synagogues I've visited and probably the most colorful! The second floor has some displays of Prague's Jewish community and the history of this synagogue. The building opened in 2008 to the public on days when it wasn't actively used as a place of worship, and current ticket prices are: Adults: 150 CZK (eTicket 135 CZK) Children under 6: free Children under 15 and students: 100 CZK (eTicket 90 CZK) Reduced entrance fee for visitors with valid ticket to the Jewish Town sites: Adults: 100 CZK Children under 6: free Children under 15 and students: 80 CZK More info here: synagogue.cz

Very nice part of the Jewish museum. I would recommend seeing all of the synagogues in the Jewish…read moremuseum path, they are all nice and historic.

Hallelujah concert was phenomenal!!! Talented musicians...worth every penny. Highly recommend…read moreviewing the Hallelujah concert. The singer was not in attendance but the 5 string players with the brass player were all incredible.

I had seen pictures of this church online and I decided to visit at night when the basilica would…read morebe lit up. I am so glad I did....it was just a beautiful sight. To get there, you must climb about 100 steps from the street level, so save your energy for this climb...it is still a worthwhile effort. The Basilica of St. Peter and St. Paul is located in the Vyšehrad fortress area in n Prague. Founded in 1070-1080 by the King Vratislaus II of Bohemia, the Romanesque basilica was rebuilt through the years in Gothic and later in neo-Gothic style. The basilica features an impressive stone mosaic above its entry, and its twin 190 feet (58 m) towers can be seen atop a hill to the south from along the Vltava River.

What a splendid cathedral...if you like Art Nouveau then this spot's your jam!…read more Looking back on my photos, it makes me wish I was there in person examining all the colorful romantic paintings that adorn its walls! Compared to many European cathedrals that are often decorated in more austere or florid styles, it's such a refreshing breath air to see this flowing, softer style represented in religious architecture. There is a comparative abundance of botanical and feminine motifs compared to your traditional story board layouts and patriarchal focus, I appreciated its more modern perspective. Founded by King Vratislav II between 1070-80 as a Romanesque basilica it was damaged in 1249 from a fire, rebuilt in a Gothic style, then again in a Baroque style in the 1720s. The current version constructed between 1887 and 1903 was built in a neo-Gothic style, and was begun by architect Josef Mocker, though altered and completed by František Mikš with pseudo-Gothic towers added at the front of the building in 1902. Surrounding the basilica is Vyšehrad fortress, now a public park (separate review coming later) and behind it is the Vyšehrad cemetery. This is the final resting place of many famous Czechs, including author Karel Čapek and composer Antonín Dvořák. Open to the public, it's worth taking a stroll to admire the myriad gravestones--they exude a peaceful elegance and dignity--and taking a moment of reflection for the ones resting here. It's astonishing (though not altogether surprising given how long they've been around) to see the wide range of artistic styles sculpted and inscribed onto the stones and walls. Inside the church's interior there are remnants from different centuries, both in the architectural details like the Gothic main and side altars, stained glass windows, and artwork--like a Baroque painting depicting the fortress area in 1420. The most prominent displays of art are the richly colored ornamental paintings and tracery by painters František Urban and his wife Marie, added in 1902-3, in the Art Nouveau style of Alphonse Mucha. Tickets are 130 CZK for adults, 70 CZK reduced, 250 CZK for families. The church holds regular masses; for times see their website kkvys.cz What a special treat to visit! Would love to come back again if I go back to Prague.