| Ask tourists their favorite destination in all of Europe. | | | | stunning mural, The Spiritual Development of Mankind, |
| You may be surprised to learn that a growing number | | | | covers the entire ceiling here. |
| are pointing to Prague. There's a reason for this, | | | | Another popular stop for sightseers is St. Nicholas's |
| though: The many Prague tourist attractions offer | | | | Church, commissioned by the Jesuit Order during the |
| visitors a mix of history, magic and, of course, stunning | | | | earliest years of the 18th Century, with construction |
| beauty. | | | | finally completed in 1756. Visitors flock to this |
| Praig has done a marvelous job of preserving its | | | | architectural marvel daily. Most of them stop at the |
| historic buildings. City planners have made sure that | | | | large statue of St. Cyril, depicted in the act of stabbing |
| their cathedrals, castles, museums and shrines are all | | | | a devil with his pastoral staff. |
| protected. The tourists have responded, with more | | | | The church's pulpit is incredible, too. It is decorated with |
| than 4.5 million flocking to the Czech Republic's capital | | | | playful angels and cherubs. Tourists should make sure |
| city every year. | | | | to stop by the church's impressive Baroque organ, too. |
| One of the most popular of the many Prague tourist | | | | Mozart actually played it in 1787. It's a wonder standing |
| attractions is the Sternberg Palace. Again, there's good | | | | next to such greatness. |
| reason for this: The palace, which was built from 1698 | | | | St. Vitus's Cathedral has also been drawing tourists for |
| to 1707, is now one of the top art museums in the | | | | years. Construction on this church began in 1344, so it's |
| world. Visitors here can find works from such greats | | | | a rather stunning example of classic Gothic |
| as Pieter Brueghel, Jan Gossaert and Lucas Cranach. | | | | architecture. The Golden Portal is a highlight thanks to |
| No stop in the palace, though, is complete without a | | | | the mosaic of the last judgment that graces it. This |
| long look at Feast of the Rose Garlands, an amazing | | | | mosaic, which has been carefully restored, has marked |
| work of art painted by Albrecht Durer in 1506. The | | | | the Golden Portal since 1370. |
| painting has been preserved in all its glory, and is a | | | | It's impossible to list all the Prague tourist attractions |
| sight to behold. | | | | that rank as must-sees. There is simply no end to the |
| Another of the more impressive Prague tourist | | | | many historical attractions that are sure to capture the |
| attractions is the Strahov Monastery. This ancient | | | | imagination of visitors from around the globe. Tourists |
| edifice has stood proudly in Prague since the 12th | | | | planning a trip to the Golden City that is Prague will |
| Century. Tourists can find the true highlight here in the | | | | never have to suffer an uninspiring moment. |
| monastery's Philosophical Hall. Franz Maulbertsch's | | | | |