Prague: ARTĚL Style

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to travel back in time and stroll through a grand 17th - century castle? What if you could do it at night, and without the noise and commotion of other tourists?

Not far from Prague Castle, on a scenic ridge overlooking the glorious panorama of the Czech capital, lies the 12th century Strahov Monastery. Its library houses an extensive collection of rare volumes—nestled among gilded wood-carved shelves—that are contained in two halls, remarkable for their stunning frescoed ceilings. The library is, not surprisingly, considered one of the world ’s most beautiful.

Despite its cosmopolitan feel, those of us who live in the Czech capital do not want for green spaces and wooded escapes. Historically home to a number of royal hunting grounds and game preserves, the Bohemian tradition of hunting was for many years alive and well in what is today modern Prague. These forest parks are easily accessible from the city center and worth a visit especially in the autumn when the foliage is ablaze (tips for refreshment included)!

This museum houses the private art collection of Jan and Meda Mládek, who collected work by a wide range of Eastern European and Czech artists while living abroad in the US during the 1950s and 60s. The collection includes works by such heavyhitters as František Kupka, often thought of as the father of abstract painting...

This Neo-Classical structure dating from 1871-1874 boasts a wonderful and extraordinarily large atrium in the main lobby that I encourage you to check out, regardless of your interest in sending postcards or collecting stamps. Also of interest are the wall paintings by Karel Vítězslav Mašek...