I can’t quite decide if I loved this winter's snow days’ or if they just made me miss all of the adventures I’ve had and am looking forward to having again… one day! However, with spring on the horizon, join me in a little pick-me-up to reminisce of winter's gone by and the delights that Prague has to offer – perhaps for 2021’s chilly season.

The beautiful city of Prague is the Czech Republic’s capital and being only a 2-hour flight from Birmingham, it’s the perfect city break. I visited for Christmas several years ago, wrapped up warm against the weather, as temperatures often hovered around freezing all day.

As I walked the quaint streets, I took in a mix of architecture – Gothic, Renaissance, Baroque – perfect for history buffs and those with an artistic eye, as demonstrated by painters selling their works on the streets. With the city once being the residence of numerous Holy Roman Emperors, it has quite the historic claim to fame!

Talking of famous people… in the Old Town, be sure to look up high to see a statue of Sigmund Freud hanging from the top of a building, seemingly pondering clinging on. The infamous neurologist, born in the Czech Republic, was the founder of studying the unconscious mind and was well known for many phobias, including heights, depicted by this unique statue.

The Old Town Square is the hub of activity, with numerous impressive buildings topped by striking Gothic towers, one of which can be climbed to gain views over the city. Mounted on the Old Town Hall is the renowned medieval Astronomical Clock, complete with dials depicting relative positions of the Sun, moon, major planets and zodiac constellations. 

Every hour, the clock draws a large crowd as it chimes and the mechanical figures dance, including pipers and a skeleton – quite the spectacle!

The imposing Jan Hus Memorial also dominates the Square. Erected in 1915, it was created to commemorate the 500th anniversary of the death of an important religious reformer of the same name. The monument forms the centrepiece of the Christmas market, where delicious scents emanate from every turn, with roaring fires of horseshoe makers and flickering candles from stalls. Every wooden hut is enticing – you can eat, drink and shop yourself merry across the Square, stopping to take in the enormous Christmas tree, twinkling away.

Wandering on down to the Vlatva River, the air was bitingly cold. Pulling my collar up high, I worked my way through the bustling crowd towards the Powder Tower, an old Gothic city gate adorned with gilded statues. The Tower forms the entryway to the Charles Bridge, another beautiful, medieval stone structure crossing the river. Lined with 30 Baroque-style statues, the bridge has even been named a UNESCO World Heritage site. Definitely a must see!

Whilst crossing the bridge, I took in the grandeur of Prague Castle, perched on a hill overlooking the city. As the President’s official residence, the Castle hosts the much-anticipated daily crowd-pleaser - a midday changing of the guard ceremony, complete with fanfare and banner exchange. The grounds are free to roam, perfect for a peaceful break from city life and a chance to rest with a flask of hot coffee and maybe a slice or two of the traditional Czech cake, bábovka.

Inside the grounds of Prague Castle, make sure to wander down Golden Lane. It is said that alchemists of old looked down this lane to find the answer of how to turn ordinary materials into gold. However, the more likely story is that it was a focus for goldsmiths during the 17th century.

If you would prefer to take in the sights at a leisurely pace, many companies offer 45-minute cruises along the river, with guided tours to point out the most important historical sights in the city. Such a trip provides a prime location for admiring the tastefully coloured buildings lining the banks.

For a piece of modern history, take a 15-minute walk away from the castle to Velkopřevorské náměstí to the sight of the now infamous Lennon Wall. Following the 1980 assassination of John Lennon, a local artist painted the singer with some lyrics and since then, it has become a hotspot for graffiti inspired by Beatles songs and global causes. Symbolic, if not in great contrast to the beauty of the rest of the city.

Prague is a lovely destination for a short break, full of friendly personalities, especially in winter when it is full of Christmas character too. I thoroughly enjoyed the trip and I hope you will too.

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Written by Charlotte Bird

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