David Cerny – Franz Kafka’s Head – Quadrio Shopping Centre
Prague City Walking Tour Basic Information – Private tour only
2.5 Hours Duration
Native English Presentation
Tram Ride and Tickets Included
Old Town, New Town, Lesser Town and Prague Castle
Can only be Taken Privately
The tour begins on the Old Town Square and ends at Prague Castle
What You’ll See
Even though we’ll meet on Prague’s iconic Old Town Square outside the Kinsky Palace there is no overlap with the Old Town and Jewish Quarter tour (completely different content). It’s a short walk to the start point where you’ll be introduced to the Sculptor David Cerny and from there you’ll see pieces of his work like the Hanging Man, Upside-down Horse, Kafka’s Head, Babies, the Pissing Men and of course you’ll learn the associated stories and inspirations. On the way we’ll explore Bethlehem Square/Chapel, the secret message from Jan Hus, the Franciscan Garden, Lucerna Passage, Tesla window, National Theatre, Dancing House, the Legion bridge (and why it has had so many names), riverside flood markers, the 9/11 Memorial and Kampa Park.
The route may be adapted but we aim to take a tram up to the back of the Castle to explore the courtyards and finish at the front of Prague Castle having learned about the historic buildings like St Vitus Cathedral, Old Royal Palace and Golden Lane (in the summer season we include the Imperial Gardens). You’ll get tips on how to beat the queues and how best to explore the buildings.
If you want more details about my competitive rates and availability feel free to Contact Me.
Here are a few pictures from the tour for what to expect:
Depending on the actual route you’ll see 6 examples of work by David Cerny, the upside-down horse is one of them.
During the tour we’ll pass close to the Bethlehem Chapel where I’ll tell you it’s history and decode a secret message.
By the time we’ve seen this plaque you’ll know the importance of the date, why the plaque is here and what the signs of the hands mean.
This is the same location as the above picture but this is what you’ll find it looks like on that day of the year. I remember I did an Old Town tour on November 17th for a couple and at the end I asked them if they wanted to come over to the commemoration where I was headed to take this picture. They knew nothing about it so it was a bonus.
It’s an option on the tour but if everybody agrees we can make a short detour down to the riverside.
The lady in the middle returned to do another tour with a friend the following year.
In the period April to October the parks and gardens are open. Wallenstein Gardens are part of the Senate complex so it can be closed for important visitors etc but if it is open I like to show it.
Usually I take the tram to the Castle rear entry. Another format of the tour is to take the rear Old Castle Steps. If it’s April to October and the South Gardens are open we take a look at the city views. If it’s the winter season or the South Gardens are closed we stay in ST Vitus cathedral and the courtyards.
In winter months we finish either at dusk or after dark so you get to see the ST Vitus Cathedral lit. The Castle complex is open until 10pm but I finish the tour outside the main entry with it’s great city view.
Since 2016 the old Castle Main Entry has been exit only. So you get this picture leaving the second courtyard going through the Matthias Gate.
