Horizons of Prague: A city that survived history and lives through art
Prague is a city that, despite its dramatic history, has maintained a remarkably cohesive face. Its historical center has survived wars and regimes alike, and today it feels more like a living museum than a backdrop from a history textbook. Within a relatively small area, you will encounter world-class architecture ranging from Romanesque foundations to Brutalism, contemporary art galleries, theaters, and establishments where you can spend an entire day—from your first coffee to a late-night drink. It is precisely this mix of preserved monuments, contemporary culture, and natural urban life that makes Prague a place one can return to again and again.
Art, Architecture, Atmosphere
Below is a suggested walk that can be completed in one to two days, depending on how much time you wish to spend in galleries and local spots.
Prague is inherently linked to our brand, ELKA LOUNGE; its beauty inspires us to create timeless pieces that harmonize with the timelessness of the city itself. To allow you to experience Prague through our eyes, we have prepared a route featuring places the ELKA LOUNGE team loves and frequently revisits. The path connects significant architectural landmarks, contemporary art, and spots to sit down for a coffee or a drink.
Strahov
We begin at Strahov, which offers a beautiful view of the entire city and where a monumental stadium meets a historical monastery. The Strahov Stadium, once the largest in the world with a capacity of up to 250,000 spectators, now stands as a giant monument to mass Spartakiads and concerts, awaiting a new purpose. Just a few steps away lies the Strahov Monastery with its Baroque grounds and famous library, home to rare medieval manuscripts. An ideal start: a bit of history, a bit of nostalgia, and the first panoramic views of Prague.
Malá Strana a Pražský hrad
From Strahov, walk down toward Prague Castle and the Lesser Town (Malá Strana). The Castle complex offers a blend of Romanesque basilicas, Gothic cathedrals, Renaissance palaces, and modern architectural interventions, all paired with further panoramic city views. On your way down to the Lesser Town, you will pass through winding alleys filled with palaces, churches, and courtyards that—despite the tourist traffic—still manage to feel calm and intimate. You can enhance your walk with a visit to Grounds cafe, which will charm you with its minimalist interior and specialty coffee, or enjoy a meal at Kuchyň, part of the Ambiente concept.
Municipal Library of Prague
From the Lesser Town, cross Charles Bridge to the Old Town and head to Mariánské Square, where the Municipal Library stands. Its voluminous yet simple mass and regular facade grid appear modest yet striking; large ground-floor windows blur the boundary between the street and the interior, inviting passersby inside. Inside, you can slow down for a moment, visit an exhibition, or simply sit with a view of the square.
Clam-Gallasův Palace
Just a few steps from the library, at the corner of Husova Street and Mariánské Square, you will come across the Clam-Gallas Palace. It is one of the most prominent examples of Prague Baroque—a representative city palace with a richly decorated staircase and halls where theatrical performances and social events for the aristocracy took place in the 18th and 19th centuries. Today’s peaceful courtyard, with its small garden and the Terezka fountain, serves as a reminder of how the city has transformed and densified over the centuries.
Kafkova hlava
Just a few minutes' walk from the library stands the kinetic statue of Franz Kafka by David Černý—a monumental metal head composed of 42 rotating segments. Installed in 2014 near the Quadrio shopping center, the statue gradually rotates and reassembles itself, allowing you to watch it for several minutes as it constantly changes. Thanks to this landmark, the surroundings have become a vibrant hub with cafes and small shops where locals, students, and tourists mingle. One of the iconic spots nearby is café Louvre, founded in 1902, which served as a meeting place for famous writers and artists.
National Theatre and the New Stage
Following Národní Street, you will reach the National Theatre—a Neo-Renaissance building from the 19th century that serves as a symbol of Czech culture and national ambition. Right next to it stands the New Stage (Nová scéna), a striking Brutalist building by architect Karel Prager from the 1980s, featuring a signature glass facade and a piazza now named after Václav Havel. The New Stage has long been a center for contemporary performing arts, from progressive theater to the multimedia projects of Laterna Magika.
Rudolfinum Gallery
Continue along the river to the Rudolfinum, a Neo-Renaissance palace home to the Czech Philharmonic and the Rudolfinum Gallery. Built in 1884, it was designed from the outset as a combination of a concert hall and exhibition space, which is still reflected in its interior atmosphere. The gallery focuses on contemporary art, often through large-scale curatorial projects, showcasing both the local scene and international names.
Alma Praha
To conclude the day, head to Alma—a multifunctional gastronomic space in the city center. Located in the historical building of a former cinema, it now houses a restaurant with an open kitchen, a cafe, a bar, and a club in a Baroque cellar hosting various events, tastings, and small parties. Alma is built on the idea of a "new chapter for an old quarter," revitalizing the building's old structure with contemporary gastronomy and an accessible, unpretentious atmosphere.
A city that refuses to be just a backdrop
When you walk through Prague following our route—from Strahov through the Castle and historical palaces to contemporary galleries, kinetic statues, and new gastronomic projects—one important thing becomes clear. Prague is not just a backdrop for tourists. Its historical layers naturally meet contemporary art and everyday life, so that between a theater performance and an evening drink, you can experience a city view, a Baroque palace, and a kinetic statue that constantly rearranges itself, just like Prague itself.
