Accompanying Persons Program

Saturday, October 6, 2007

Departure from the Prague Congress Centre.
The Prague Castle, situated on a hill allows for a beautiful view of the city.
A castle was established on this site in the 9th century, and a Romanesque palace was erected in the 12th. In the 14th century, under the reign of Charles IV, it was rebuilt in the Gothic style. The final reconstruction of the Royal Palace took place under the Jagellons at the end of the 15th century, and at that time the builder Benedikt Rejt added the now-famous Vladislav Hall, also in Gothic style. The castle was enlarged in the 16th century, after a big fire in 1541. The Spanish Hall, in a new part of the castle, was added in the reign of Rudolf II and took its final form in the time of Empress Maria Theresa, under the direction of the architect M. Pacassi. After World War I the interior and gardens of the castle were renovated by the architect J. Plecnik. Today the Castle is the seat of the President of the Czech Republic and serves as the historical and political center of both city and state. The changing of the guard takes place every hour on the hour, from 5 a.m. to 11 p.m. Each day at noon there is also a solemn fanfare. 
Private visit of the Strahov Library that contains more than 14,000 volumes of historical books dating back to the 9th century. The library is not open to the public but we will have a unique opportunity to visit special rooms inside the library.
A visit to St. Vitus Cathedral, the Royal Palace, Golden Lane and the courts of Prague Castle is also included.

Sunday, October 7, 2007

Departure from the Prague Congress Centre.
Preferred town by the king Vaclav IV, it used to be the second most important town in the middle ages. The town grew up in the 13th century close to the silver mines and now it is the world heritage under the UNESCO protection.
Visit the church of St. Barbara built in the gothic period 14th century, the Italian court - a royal residence and the mint.
The original building of the Italian Court was reconstructed at the turn of the 15th century. Despite all transformations, the Italian Court is one of the most valuable monuments of Kutná Hora.
The tour will end with a visit of Bone house; According to estimates, bones of approximately 40,000 people were used to decorate the chapel, creating this unique ossuary – a reminder of the transience of human life and the inevitability of death.

Tours are based on a minimum participation of 15 persons.