Almanac X Alcron Prague

The Prague Congress Centre is among the largest, most prominent landmarks of the Czech capital and has beautiful panoramic views over the city. The Prague Congress Centre ranks among the best-known congress venues in Europe with more than 50 halls, reception and meeting rooms with a total capacity of up to 9,300 people, and 13,000 m2 of exhibition space. The centre’s high technical standards and diverse options for arranging meeting spaces make the venue a prime choice for hosting exhibitions, social events, banquets, and cultural productions, as well as congresses and conferences. The largest hall is the Congress Hall with a maximum capacity of 2,764. Thanks to its excellent acoustics, the Congress Hall ranks among the best concert halls in the world.

Prague's Old Town is commonly thought of as one of the most stunning and celebrated feats of architecture anywhere in Europe. As soon as you arrive and walk through the cobbled streets you'll see what all the fuss is about; there are buildings in the Old Town dating back to the tenth century and each has been built with style and attention to detail. Old Town Charm The Old Town got its name in the 14th century when Prague began to build up the New Town, but there's nothing old fashioned about the heart of the Golden City. Its buildings and cobblestone streets read like a storybook of the long and vibrant history of Prague, and there are plenty of attractions, restaurants and boutique shops to keep you busy while you explore. The architecture in Prague's Old Town is part of what makes the city so special to visitors. In the centre of it all is the Old Town square, the site of some of the most important and ground-breaking events in the history of Prague. Today, the Old Town Square is filled with restaurants and cafes, and is the perfect starting point for the other attractions nearby like Kinský Palace and the Church of Our Lady of Týn. Something new in Prague Old Town The Old Town in Prague has a lot more to offer than beautiful architecture and while you're visiting you can get tucked into museums, art galleries, fabulous restaurants as well as lively bars and beer gardens. Take a closer look and you'll see lots of new and exciting shops and restaurants and when the sun goes down, the Old Town comes alive as both locals and tourists fill the bars and clubs for some evening entertainment.

Prague Airport is the operator of the most important international airport in the Czech Republic and the biggest airport among the new EU member states. It has received the Eagle Award for 2011 awarded by the Association of IATA for being the best developing airport. This international “air-hub” handles about 11 to 12 million passengers annually. They can choose from about 50 regular airlines connecting Prague directly to about 130 destinations around the world. Five regular Cargo carriers operate here, as well as dozens of other companies providing charter flights. Prague Airport, which achieved a billion-profit in 2010, employs over 2000 employees, while about over 15,000 people are employed by companies operating at the airport or linked to its operation.

Prague Castle is perhaps the most iconic testament to the history of the city. Since it was first built in the 9th century, the elaborate castle has been home to Kings, Emperors and Presidents. Today, the Prague Castle is home to the Czech crown jewels and draws visitors keen to view the castle's stately interior from all over the globe. A castle to remember in Prague The largest ancient castle in the world, Prague Castle displays every architectural style from the last millennium and inside the grounds, there are several palaces, beautiful gardens and even a defence tower. The modern day castle is home to the head of state of the Czech Republic in Prague, as well as the Old Royal Palace, St. George's Basilica. Visitors can also feast their eyes on the National Gallery's collection of art, learn about Czech history, or catch a show at the Summer Shakespeare Festival that takes place each year in the courtyard of Burgrave Palace. Visiting Prague Castle Perched on a hilltop overlooking the city, for most visitors Prague Castle is something you first see from a distance. The castle is open daily for visitors, and opening hours to the main attractions are typically from 9-5, making it easy to stop by even on a busy schedule. There is also an information centre inside the castle itself to help guide you through everything inside and outside the palace walls.

There are two parts to the National Museum in Prague: The main building (pictured), the interior of which is closed for renovation until June 2015. And the New Building of the National Museum - the dark building to the left of the main building as you face it from Wenceslas Square - which remains open. Prior to its closure, the main building was the oldest and the largest museum in the Czech Republic. It is the foremost attraction in Wenceslas Square, set in a commanding position at its top, behind the statue of St. Wenceslas on his horse. The National Museum is a monumental neo-renaissance building, designed by Josef Schultz as an architectural symbol of the Czech National Revival. Construction lasted from 1818-1891. The National Museum is built on the site of the former Horse Gate, so named because Wenceslas Square once served as the main Prague horse market. The entrance hall of the National Museum is very grand, with sweeping staircases and intricate stonework. There are also beautiful frescos on the ceilings. The exhibition rooms, which were looking tired, will be the main beneficiary of the restoration works. Before joining the National Museum, the New Building served as the parliament of Czechoslovakia during the communist era. And more recently, it was home to Radio Free Europe. The New Building presents a programme of temporary exhibitions.

A classic landmark in Prague, the Charles Bridge is the beautiful gothic link connecting Prague's old town with Malá Strana and Prague castle. Walk along the Charles Bridge and experience the city from a new vantage point when you gaze out over the water and see the fairytale views that draw tourists from around the world. The history of Prague on the Charles Bridge Once known as the Stone Bridge, Prague's iconic landmark was renamed and rebuilt in 1375 after Holy Roman Emperor Charles IV and has been a testament to the city's unique architecture ever since. Architect and close friend of the King, Peter Parler built a functional bridge named after Charles, but it was not until the 17th century that the bridge was ornamented with an additional 30 statues. Today, there are 75 statues along the Charles Bridge including the famous St. John of Nepomuk. Travellers are encouraged to touch the statue's bronze plates, rumoured to bring good luck and ensure visitors return to Prague

The National Theatre (Czech: Národní divadlo) in Prague is known as the Alma Mater of Czech opera, and as the national monument of Czech history and art. The National Theatre belongs to the most important Czech cultural institutions, with a rich artistic tradition which was created and maintained by the most distinguished personalities in Czech society. This tradition helped to preserve and develop the most important features of the nation–the Czech language and a sense for a Czech musical and dramatic way of thinking. Today the National Theatre consists of three artistic ensembles–opera, ballet and drama–which alternate in their performances in the historic building of the National Theatre, in the Theatre of the Estates and in the Kolowrat Theatre. All three artistic ensembles select their repertoire not only from the rich classical heritage, but in addition to local authors they focus their attention on modern world output.

Wenceslas Square is one of the main city squares and the centre of the business and cultural communities in the New Town of Prague. Many historical events occurred there, and it is a traditional setting for demonstrations, celebrations, and other public gatherings. The square is named after Saint Wenceslas, the patron saint of Bohemia. It is part of the historic centre of Prague, a World Heritage Site. Less a square than a boulevard, Wenceslas Square has the shape of a very long (750 m, total area 45,000 m²) rectangle, in a northwest–southeast direction. The street slopes upward to the southeast side. At that end, the street is dominated by the grand neoclassical Czech National Museum. The northwest end runs up against the border between the New Town and the Old Town.