Hluboká nad Vltavou is a monumental Romantic chateau; originally a Gothic castle, it was remodeled in the Baroque style during the first half of the 18th century. It underwent a significant transformation in the 19th century, when it was remodeled in the English Windsor-style Gothic and became the official seat of the Schwarzenberg dynasty. The complex includes a glassed-in winter garden, a riding hall, an English-style park (190 hectares) and a chapel. Sumptuously furnished period interiors feature unique woodcarvings and valuable collections.

An early baroque building from the 1611, rebuilt by the Carmelite order in 1634 – 1669. The church is world-famous thanks to the Prague Bambino - Infant Jesus wax figure (of the Spanish origin), which was presented to the church by Polyxena of Lobkowicz (1628).

Address:
Karmelitská 9
118 00 Praha 1 – Malá Strana
Phone: +420 257 533 646
E-mail:mail@pragjesu.info
Web:www.pragjesu.info

Opening hours: All the year round daily, the sightseeing possible outside the times of the divine services, the museum Mondays – Saturdays 9:30 – 17:30, Sundays 13:00 – 18:00

MUSEUM - Wardrobe of the Infant
Jesus of Prague, devotional items, and a video of the changing of the dress of the Infant Jesus statue; sale of religious art and souvenirs in the shop inside the monastery, open Mon-Sat 9 am-5 pm, Sun 1 pm-6 pm

Infant Jesus of Prague (Czech Pražské Jezulátko) is a famous statue of infant Jesus located in the Church of Our Lady Victorious in Malá Strana, Prague. Its history started in the beginning of the 17th century when a statue of the Infant Jesus was brought into Bohemia by a Spanish Princess. This princess had been given the statue as a wedding gift by her mother, Maria Manriquez de Lara of Spain, and the statue eventually was given to the Discalced Carmelites in Prague. The statue was set up in the oratory of the monastery, and twice a day, special devotions to Jesus were performed before it.

Disturbances in Bohemia due to the Thirty Years War brought an end to the special devotions, and on November 15, 1631, the army of King Gustavus Adolphus of Sweden took possession of the churches of the capital city of Bohemia. The Carmelite friary was plundered by the Lutheran Protestant Swedish, and the image of the Infant of Prague was thrown into a pile of rubbish behind the altar. Here it lay forgotten for seven years until it was found again in 1637. Since then, the statue has remained in Prague and has drawn many devotees worldwide to go and honor the Holy Child. Claims of blessings, favors and miraculous healings have been made by many who petitioned before the Infant Jesus.

The Infant Jesus of Prague as it appears during the Lenten season in Our Lady of Victory Church.The exact origin of the Infant Jesus statue was not truly known, but historical sources point to a small 28cm high sculpture of the Holy Child with a bird in his right hand carved in around the year 1340. Many other Infant Jesus sculptures were also carved by famous masters throughout Europe in the Middle Ages.

Today, thousands of pilgrims pay homage to the Infant of Prague each year. The tradition of the Infant Jesus procession and the coronation continues to this day. On May 27, 1995, a solemn procession of the Infant Jesus took place in the streets of Prague with Cardinal Sin of Manila (Philippines) and Cardinal Vlk of Prague leading the procession. This ceremony was the closing highlight of the annual Feast of the Infant Jesus in Prague.

The castle foundations date back to 1120, when it was one of the largest Benedictine monasteries in Central Europe. The original founder of this monastery was an abbot called "William" and it is from his name that the later castle and the village take its name of "Vilémov". The monks who lived in this monastery are known to have eaten their staple food source of fish and frogs.

In 1421 the Hussites destroyed the monastery, leaving only the foundations. From these ruins a fortress was constructed in the year 1578. Later the fortress was remodeled into a Renaissance castle.

In 1684, Vilémov was bought by Count Caretto de Millesimo, Marquis of Savona.

In 1746 the castle was enlarged, and the style was changed from Renaissance to Baroque. The Italian architect Francesco Caratti is known to have designed the building and architectural details were added by artisans brought in from Italy.

In 1852 the Caretto de Millesimo family died out, and the castle and property passed to the nearest blood relative, Francis Vaclav Baron Reisky de Dubnic. The Barons Reisky have owned the castle ever since but during the Second World War the castle was taken over by the Nazi's and the Reisky family expelled.

In 1945 Russian Army troops under General Malinowski were quartered in the castle, and later in that same year it was returned to the Reisky family.

In 1948 the castle was confiscated by the communist regime and was put to a variety of uses including an elementary school. All of the works of art and various other family keepsakes were removed or stolen during this period and in 1991 when the castle was once again returned to the Reisky family, the buildings were empty and in complete disrepair.

Vilémov Castle has been restored during 1992 – 1997 by Professor Vladimír Reisky de Dubnic who returned from America and restituted the family estate. Today, the castle is a seat of the family business company and a seat of the Foundation for International Studies founded by Professor Reisky de Dubnic. With all its lodging and boarding facilities the castle and the adjacent park serve as an ideal location for conferences, seminars and other social events (concerts, weddings, celebrations etc.).

Probably a lot was written about this truly beautiful city and still reasons why Prague is so popular are quite simple. Strolling at cobblestone streets of the old town with great views at architecture buildings, churches and magnificent Castle make it believe. You can continue having a relatively cheap lunch or dinner at one of pubs accompanied with a world famous Czech beer. Later on cut the cost of an entrance ticket in a half to enjoy a classic music concert or for a younger crowd just clubbing and adoring beautiful Czech girls. When you get enough of tourist places just escape to peaceful leafy grounds of Vysehrad, Stromovka Park or take funicular railway to the Petrin Hill. Shopper lovers will not be left behind as often excellent and reasonably priced local goods swelling all the time. No matter if there is winter or summer, you will enjoy Prague at its best. You will fall in love with Prague, we promise!

Prague seldom visited by tourists until the 1989 is now one of the most popular visited destinations in Europe.  ‘Maticka’ Praha as we call it ‘little mother Prague’ is very beautiful city. It’s our capital, cradle of our culture where many famous writers, artists, athletes, sports players, models, film directors were born. This city was under communism for over 40 years. Then Velvet Revolution of 17th November 1989 changes everything (now Czech Republic public holiday). And from moment when freedom came to the streets, city started enjoying a huge economic boom, even more after Czech Republic joined the European Union in 2004. Prague has a great scale of architecture buildings. In 1992 the historical core of the city covering 866 hectares was listed in the UNESCO World Cultural and Natural Heritage Register. No matter where you will go there, you will discover some parts of that city multi-layered history dating from the Holy Roman Empire, the Habsburg Empire, the first Czechoslovak Republic (1918), the Nazi Protectorate of Bohemia and Moravia, the Communist Republic of Czechoslovakia to the now days of democratic Czech Republic. City undamaged by WWII can now offer unforgettable experience just walking through Baroque, Rococo and Art Nouveau redeveloped streets.
Prague is situated on a broken terrain on both banks of the Vltava (Moldau) river in central Bohemia.

Take a walk
Exquisite examples of long periods of European architecture are joined together on the twisting narrow streets of this city; just take a walk, enjoy local food, do some shopping, take a few romantic photos over Charles Bridge, stop for a coffee ...  and continue marvelling at the beauty of a thousand spires that has already attracted millions of tour groups.

Why is Prague so popular? There’s something magic about that city. We don’t know if it is Franz Kafka who’s attracting many Jewish to see Old Synagogue. We don’t know if it is a view from famous café Slavia over river and castle where former president used to go. We don’t know if it is inexpensive sort break offered in some travel agents shop. We don’t know if it is a desire to see post communist city witch has been barred from visitor for many decades. We don’t know if it is strolling over Charles Bride at dawn. Maybe this Prague guide ... We don’t know … but what we know, you will fall in love with Prague.

How long should I stay in Prague? We believe three days are minimum if you want to see what Prague has to offer. Of course if you have more time you will not be in rush and you can indulge yourself in Prague atmosphere even better.

Why go to Prague? Prague is a mixture of modern shops and ancient architecture, Gothic spires and Baroque facades. Absolutely fantastic place for leisure,  to explore architecture,  go shopping, taste European cousin, enjoy chilled Czech beer and see beautiful girls.

The Czech Republic becomes more westernized everyday, but still offers glimpses of what was once a truly distinct eastern Europe. This westernization comes with perks (everyone speaks English) and downfalls (insane inflation), but overall there is much charm to be found if one ventures even remotely off the beaten path. For the beer aficionado, however, things are changing for the worse all too rapidly. Small breweries are going out of business and even the mightly Pilsner Urquell has undergone vast changes that most views as for the worse. Still, there is no place better to drink a pilsner and there are some great beers to be found by the astute hunter. There are some sights to see along the way as well. But get there soon before it becomes just one more stops on the European itinerary of the college sophomore crowd.

Prague Index
Cup of coffee in the city centum: 35 Kc to 100Kc
McDonald meal around 100 CZK
Metro/tram ticket 26 CZK
Hostel dormitory average 400 CZK
3-star hotel lowest low season last-minute price 500 CZK
3-star hotel walk in top season rate 4500 CZK
Annual beer consumption 160L per head
Number of bars in Prague over 11,000
Number of churches in Prague over 150
Why coming to Prague? 40% - recommendations by friends and relatives, 30 % returning - a prior visit
Estimated average spend is 70 EUR per day on average
Population 1,184,000
Time zone GMT + 1 hour

Built in 1570, this palace houses an exquisite collection of Czech history. There is also a toy museum with the world second largest collection of toys that is stretching back to Ancient Greece.