Magical Prague 2026-27

Magical Prague. This is one of the most widespread descriptions of this fascinating city, where at any time of year a magical atmosphere reigns, to be sensed amid the soft lights of Charles Bridge, in the fairy-tale squares and lanes of the Old Town, or in the Jewish quarter, over which hovers the presence of the Golem, the clay figure created in the 16th century by a rabbi to defend the Jews from persecution.

But there are also many tales of the vodník, the water sprites, sometimes malicious and sometimes benevolent, said to inhabit the waters of the Vltava and to watch over the various bridges. There is also a legend about the origin of the city’s name: it is said to come from the Czech word prah (threshold), because the woman regarded as its founder, Princess Libuše, had a premonition of its birth in the vision of a man marking out the threshold of his house. It is above all on the walk on the second evening that we will have the chance to capture this side of the city.

Konopiště Castle is a fortress built during the 13th century at the behest of the local bishop, Tobias of Benešov. The building was originally in the French Gothic style, with cylindrical towers, a moat, 4 gates and a drawbridge. Over the years the castle has undergone a great many alterations, which have given the fortress its present neo-Gothic appearance.

The most recent alterations date from the early 1900s, when the fortress became the main residence of Franz Ferdinand of Austria-Este, archduke and heir to the Austro-Hungarian throne. After his death on 28 June 1914, the Castle passed into the hands of the archduke’s heirs and was partially opened to the public for the first time in 1921. During the Second World War the castle was occupied by the SS, but at the end of the conflict it returned to its rightful owners, who opened it to the public once again, preserving it to this day in the state it was in at the time of Archduke Franz Ferdinand’s death. On visiting the castle you immediately realise that Franz Ferdinand d’Este was a passionate hunter, since hunting trophies and vast collections of historic weapons can be admired throughout the building. Visitors can also see the Rose Garden, a rich garden with many greenhouses where a great many roses of different varieties are grown, along with countless other plants, some of tropical and subtropical origin. Many animals roam freely in the grounds of Konopiště Castle, including pheasants, quail and peacocks. One of the attractions is the breeding of a rare species of bear: the Himalayan bear (also known as the long-eared bear). The Castle lies in the Central Bohemian region and forms part of the municipality of Benešov.

Josefov, the Jewish Quarter of Prague

Prague is without doubt one of the most romantic destinations in Central Europe. Here you can visit the Castle, Charles Bridge, the Old Town and countless historic monuments. The city is steeped in a centuries-old culture that makes it magical. It is the perfect destination for a summer holiday, for the Christmas and New Year festivities, or for a weekend at any other time of year. Among the many attractions, a stroll through the Jewish Quarter, also known as Josefov, is a must. It is one of the most beautiful in the city, and its name comes from Emperor Joseph II, who in 1781 decided to abolish the restrictive laws that limited the lives of Czech Jews. Today it is one of the favourite destinations of the tourists who throng the capital, and if you find yourself in this wonderful city, you really cannot miss it! Its architecture is a contrast between the modern and the ancient that will not leave you indifferent. It is also an excellent opportunity to reflect on the moving history of a people who suffered for far too long. The Jewish presence in Prague and the Czech Republic dates back at least to the mid-10th century. Even then, Jews were subjected to deportations and harassment of every kind. Sadly notorious is the Easter Massacre of 1389, in which more than 3,000 people died. Nevertheless, several rabbis and religious figures found favour with sovereigns and emperors such as Charles VI, who in 1716 decided to grant the Jewish community a degree of autonomy. It was under Joseph II, however, that the forced isolation in which the Jews lived came to an end, and they were allowed to live in other parts of Prague, including the Old Town. During the 19th century, Jewish economic activity spread across much of the city, and the quarter itself was restored and embellished. Despite this progress, anti-Semitism still smouldered with some persistence, and in 1938 people of Jewish origin were confined within the ghetto. Places of worship and synagogues were turned into warehouses in which to pile up the property seized from the Jews. At the start of the Second World War 50,000 Jews lived in Prague, most of whom were deported to the Terezín concentration camp. Sadly, very few returned home. In spite of its difficult and painful history, the Jewish Quarter is a perfect ensemble of Gothic palaces and very elegant and charming Art Nouveau buildings. All the streets are spotlessly clean, and there is a truly unique atmosphere of peace and tranquillity.