Malá Strana, Prague

Malá Strana is Prague's second city, which was founded in 1257 and can boldly boast an abundance of palaces, churches, towers, squares, gardens, Baroque-style buildings with pediments and sculptures. It is here that the National Museum with the Pantheon of the Great Czechs is located, as well as the Smetana Theatre and the large Perla shopping complex. It was in the Lesser Town that the famous Pilsner beer was first drunk by the people of Prague in 1834.

It is a good idea to start your walk through these places along one of the best preserved baroque streets, which gives the best idea of Mala Strana - it is Nerudova. The street is named after the poet Jan Neruda, who lived here. In its continuation Nerudova turns into a cobbled street Uvoz, leading to monastery - Prague-Strachov Monastery. Other landmarks include the baroque Bretfeld Palace, now the Italian Embassy, and the Morzine Palace, decorated with figures of Moors in effigy. This Mala Strana street is a must-visit, not only for its architectural and historical heritage, but also because it is a must to see those specific signs with which people used to mark their houses before numbering was introduced. For example, a beautiful sign in the shape of three violins marks the home of the Luthier family.

It is said that the heart of the Lesser Town is the Lesser Town Square. Right in the middle of it is the Church of St Nicholas, opposite which stands the magnificent "plague" column from 1715 and the imposing Liechtenstein Palace. They recognize St. Nicholas Church as one of the masterpieces of father and son Dintzenhofer. Taking the streets leading out of the square, one finds oneself in the wondrous world of palaces, some of which now function as embassies. There is no shortage of snack bars, restaurants and music clubs. For example, the Schönborn Palace on Vlaška Street is today the US Embassy and the Lobkowitz Palace is the German Embassy.

To whatever extent one can imagine anything about the Lesser Country, this place simply must be visited. Squares, churches, palaces - amazing pearls creating an extraordinary look of this place. Descending down Carmelitska Street, one can see the early Baroque Church of Our Lady of Victory, and on Malteser Square, the Church of Our Lady under the Chain rises. On Josefska Street, on the other hand, is perched the Baroque Church of St. Joseph, as well as another impressive masterpiece by Dintzenhofer - the Church of St. Thomas.

And that's not all, Mala Strana has more to show and impress with. A visit to these lands would not bring disappointment either to connoisseurs of architectural art or to the ordinary visitor.