Discover Malá Strana, Prague's unique Baroque district nestled below the Castle. Unlike many European quarters reshaped by modern development, it has retained noble palaces, quiet courtyards, former monastery grounds, and lavish gardens of noblemen along with its cobbled streets almost unchanged since the 18th century.
During the 20th century, the quarter acquired a bohemian character, becoming a favorite among artists and intellectuals. Today, small galleries, antique shops, cafés, wineries, and pubs maintain this atmosphere within centuries-old buildings.
I created this experience for you to feel the "genius loci" of Malá Strana, enjoy its beauty and timeless laid-back atmosphere. I will not annoy you with historical details about each tree, house or cobblestone. But, of course, we will not get along without references to events, personalities and tales that were shaping this "genius loci".
We will visit Prague's oldest orchard, and just 300 meters away from Charles Bridge you'll find an oasis of calm with apples and pears ripening, peacock hatchlings running in the grass and bees making honey - surrounded by ancient monastery walls. We'll visit the favorite place among locals where the Vltava shore is as natural as it was long ago and people feed otters and swans with a view of Charles Bridge and iconic spired cityscape. We'll visit famous Waldstein Garden, the monument to vanity of once one of the most powerful men in Europe, with its peacocks, fish pond and statues - way more elaborate and subtle than those of Charles Bridge. We'll have a look at windows of antique and art shops. We'll stroll over the cobblestones flanked with colourful facades of Baroque houses, whose signs tell the stories of their owners. We'll go through some hidden lanes and look into typical Malá Strana courtyards, and see the unforgettable maze of auburn roofs dominated by the majestic dome of St. Nicholas Church.
We'll visit Baby Jesus of Prague, a statue which has miracles attributed to it since the 17th century. We'll recall heroes of Malá Strana tales by Jan Neruda, a book that started modern Czech literature. And we'll visit the St Nicholas Church, the summit of Prague baroque architecture, whose interior is a feast of exalted passions, colors and shapes, and Vrtba Garden - a gem of Baroque garden design perfectly hidden from tourists, whose terraces are perfectly carved into the tissue of the town. And we'll spend some time and have a drink in one of local cafes or bars, which have their recognisable and inimitable atmosphere, and have a sneak peek at great-grandchildren of Neruda's heroes.
The total time is 3 hours. Entrances to St Nicholas and Vrtba garden are included (fast track, respectively), drinks at a cafe are not (typically €2–5). Groups are small, not more than 6 people, and chances are the tour will be private. Languages are English, French and Russian (no mix - based on the first booking).
