Seen all the main tourist sites in Prague? Try the following off the beaten path Prague destinations:
Hvezda (Star) Hunting Lodge
The Hvezda (Star) Hunting Lodge is located in Bila Hora (White Mountain) in a beautiful wooded park in the western part of Prague. The Renaissance-era lodge was constructed in the mid-1500’s in the shape of a star and was designed by the Archduke Ferdinand of Tyrol. The lodge is open to visitors, who can admire the stucco interior and historical art, furniture, and documents inside. If you visit, make sure to spend some time walking through the park.
Villa Muller
Prague’s Villa Muller was designed by renowned architect Adolf Loos (with Karel Lhota) for the Muller family in the 1920’s. Located in a residential neighborhood north-west of the city center, the villa is an important example of architectural Modernism. Loos used a layout called Raumplan, in which the interior space was fluid, but each room varied in height depending on its importance. He also designed the furniture for the Muller Villa, customizing each piece for the house. Tours of the house are by appointment.
Prague Zoo
Opened in the 1930’s, the Prague Zoo is located a few kilometers from the city center, but is easily accessible via metro and bus. Although the Prague Zoo suffered damage and lost many animals to the Prague floods in 2002, it has since recovered and is a great place for visitors. The Prague Zoo’s main attractions include the rare Red Panda, which looks somewhat like an orange raccoon.
Troja Palace
Located across the street from the Prague Zoo, the Troja Palace (also called Troja Chateau) is a beautiful example of 17th century baroque architecture. Designed by architect Jean-Baptiste Mathey, the palace includes a beautiful outdoor garden complete with sculptures and fountains. The interior of the Troja Palace is open to visitors and houses a collection of 19th century Czech art. Not to be missed is the Grand Hall with its huge murals depicting scenes from the Hapsburg Empire.
Zizkov TV Tower
The famous Zizkov TV Tower is visible from all over Prague. Built in the late 1980’s, the tower is best known for being an eyesore on the otherwise beautiful city landscape. The tower, which is located in Prague’s Zizkov neighborhood (hence the name), attracts visitors to is cafe, restaurant, and many observatories. Fans of modern art also head to the Zizkov TV Tower to see artist David Cerny’s crawling baby sculptures, which are located on the tower’s pillars.
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