Your guide to Tram Line No 42
We will present you with more than 60 Prague monuments, parks and gardens, cultural institutions, famous businesses, important memorials and other interesting places. Wherever you get off, you won’t miss any of the biggest attractions the area has to offer.
After purchase, you have either free admission or great discounts at experiences marked with the Prague Visitor Pass card.
1. Dlabačov stop
Dlabačov terminal loop
○ the transport connection for Strahov Stadium, physically the largest stadium in the world
○ the tram terminal loop was transformed into a community space in 2022
○ it also houses a bistro in an iconic decommissioned T3 tram
Strahov Monastery
○ the oldest Premonstratensian monastery in Bohemia, housing the remains of St Norbert
○ the monastery library contains over 200 000 volumes, 1 500 of which are incunabula
○ the monastery picture gallery contains around 1 500 rare paintings dating from the 14th to the 19th century
Churches in the monastery grounds
○ W. A. Mozart improvised on the organ in the Basilica of the Assumption of Our Lady in 1787
○ the Church of St Roch was constructed by Emperor Rudolf II as thanks for the ending of the plague
2. Pohořelec stop
The Astronomers' Monument
○ a sculpture of Tycho Brahe and Johannes Kepler by Academic Sculptor Josef Vajce
○ this stands at the site of Kurz’s Villa, where both the astronomers lived in Prague
○ behind it is the Johannes Kepler grammar school, one of the best in the Czech Republic
Czernin Palace
○ one of the largest Baroque buildings in Prague and the seat of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
○ the site of the mysterious, still unexplained death of Minister of Foreign Affairs Jan Masaryk (1948)
○ in the garden, there is a Czech-Bavarian boundary stone, a symbol of the opening of the border (1990)
Loreto 
○ a set of Baroque buildings on Loretánské náměstí with the Loreto Chapel at its centre
○ the tower houses the largest historic church carillon in Europe, with 30 bells, of which 27 play
Max van der Stoel Park
○ this park bears the name of the first Western European politician (NL) to contact the Charter 77 movement
○ part of it is on the site of an abolished military cemetery and there are some tombstones set into the walls
3. Brusnice stop
City orphanage
○ this building, by architect Josef Rosipal, dates from 1913 and is in the geometric Art Nouveau style
○ it features a unique flat roof – a rare solution in its time and probably the first in Prague
○ today it houses the Ministry of Culture
Upper Lumbe Garden
○ part of the Prague Castle complex, formerly owned by the naturalist Josef Lumbe
○ the grassy area with trees offers a contrast to the decorative gardens
○ it is partially accessible from the picturesque locality called Nový Svět (New World)
Lower Lumbe Garden
○ a private garden for the Lumbe Villa, occupied by the president and his wife
○ 72 species of plant are grown here to decorate the castle during protocol events
○ Masaryk’s apiary designed by Josip Plečnik, still working, currently eight hives
4. Pražský hrad (Prague Castle) stop
Prague Castle 
○ the largest still-inhabited castle complex in the world, and the seat of the President of the Republic
○ Cathedral of St Vitus: the tomb of Czech kings, houses the crown jewels
○ Golden Lane – the unique residence of alchemists who served at the court of Emperor Rudolf II
Royal Garden
○ a Renaissance garden founded in 1534; open to the public in the summer
○ the garden houses the Prague Castle Ball Games Hall – a national cultural monument
○ the Royal Garden and Prague Castle are separated by a natural ravine called Jelení příkop (Deer Moat)
Marian Walls
○ part of the Baroque fortifications of Prague, the preserved fragments are protected
○ the Blanka tunnel, the longest urban tunnel in Europe (5 502 m), leads under the walls
5. Královský letohrádek stop
Queen Anne’s Summer Palace
○ a perfect example of Renaissance architecture and unique outside Italy
○ Emperor Ferdinand I had it built for his wife Anne, whom he loved very much
○ it was also used by Tycho Brahe and Johannes Kepler for their astronomical observations
Singing Fountain
○ a Renaissance fountain designed by Italian master Francesco Terzio
○ as the water falls onto a bronze bowl it creates a sound close to concert pitch
○ if you put your ear against it from underneath, you can hear the distant ringing of all Prague’s bells
Bílek Villa 
○ an Art Nouveau building designed by Czech sculptor and mystic František Bílek
○ the entrance evokes a temple from Ancient Egypt, while its arched ground plan recalls the path of a scythe in a field
○ the villa is managed by Prague City Gallery; it is open every day except Monday
6. Malostranská (Lesser Town) stop
Kunsthalle Praha 
○ a multifunctional cultural space that includes a gallery and lecture and social halls
○ it is located inside the reconstructed Zenger transformer station; the building is a cultural monument
○ it holds international modern art exhibitions; it is currently putting together its own collection
Wallenstein Riding School
○ an Early Baroque riding school dating from 1630, a cultural monument of the Czech Republic
○ similar to the nearby Wallenstein Palace, it forms part of the seat of the Senate of the Parliament of the Czech Republic
○ the National Gallery uses it for short-term exhibitions under a long-term lease
Straka Academy
○ originally a Neo-Baroque student dormitory for the poor sons of Czech nobility
○ the seat of the Office of the Government of the Czech Republic (since 1993)
7. Právnická fakulta (Law Faculty) stop
Law Faculty
○ a Neo-Classicist building (1924-31); designed by Jan Kotěra, built by Ladislav Machoň
○ an imposing marble vestibule spanning three floors, often used by filmmakers
○ houses the Collegium Maximum lecture hall: capacity 560 people (100 more than the Charles University auditorium)
InterContinental
○ a supreme example of Brutalist architecture, main architect Karel Filsak
○ a preserved part of the set of wooden sculptures by Miroslav Hejný called Začarovaný les (Enchanted Forest)
○ one of the most luxurious hotels in Prague, also offers a presidential suite
Jewish Quarter
○ Jewish Museum – the most visited Jewish monument outside Israel 
○ Old New Synagogue – the oldest in Central Europe, still operating
○ Old Jewish Cemetery – the tomb of Rabbi Löw, the alleged creator of the golem
8. Čechův most (Svatopluk Čech Bridge) stop
Čech Bridge
○ the shortest of Prague’s bridges over the Vltava River (169 m)
○ the only steel arched bridge in Prague
○ the only Art Nouveau decorated bridge of its size in the Czech Republic, a technical monument
Prague Metronome
○ a mobile artefact by sculptor Vratislav Novák called Stroj času (Time Machine), known popularly as the Metronome
○ the height of the structure including the pendulum is 25 m, it weighs 7 tonnes, the pendulum swings through 60°
○ installed in 1991 on the site of the removed Stalin monument, the largest group sculpture in Europe
Letná Park
○ a large park on the raised bank of the Vltava River; unique views of Prague Castle
○ Hanavský Pavilion, a technical monument from the General Land Centennial Exhibition of 1891
○ The Letná Carousel, the oldest preserved carousel in Europe, a technical cultural monument
9. Dlouhá třída stop
New Mill Water Tower 
○ built in 1658, it supplied the lower part of the New Town with water from the Vltava River until 1877
○ there is an observation hall on the top floor – the first ever observation tower in Prague
○ today it houses an exhibition of Prague fires and firefighters entitled Prague on Fire!
Convent of St Agnes
○ a former double monastery housing the Order of Friars Minor and Clarisses
○ the original tomb of St Agnes; her remains were taken to an unknown destination during the Hussite Wars
○ the monastery houses the National Gallery exhibition Medieval Art in Bohemia and Central Europe
Kotva department store
○ built between 1970 and 1975 on a design by Věra and Vladimír Machonin
○ its unique ground plan of multiple connected hexagons recalls a honeycomb
○ a pearl of Brutalist architecture, and a protected cultural monument of the Czech Republic since 2019
10. Náměstí Republiky stop
Powder Gate Tower 
○ one of the most beautiful Gothic towers in Prague (1475)
○ the start of the Royal Route, the route coronation processions took on their way to Prague Castle
Municipal House
○ an Art Nouveau pearl in Prague
○ Alfons Mucha contributed to the decorations
○ guided tours of the interiors, a stylish restaurant, cafés
Workers’ Accident Insurance Company for the Kingdom of Bohemia
○ the German writer Franz Kafka worked here from 1908 to 1922
○ a Neo-Baroque building designed by Czech-German architect Alfons Wertmüller
Café Imperial
○ a luxurious café restaurant
○ an Art Deco building but with Cubist and Art Nouveau elements
○ a uniquely preserved interior with sculptures by Josef Drahoňovský
11. Masarykovo nádraží stop
Building No 11 in Havlíčkova Street
○ Franz Werfel, a representative of the Prague German literature scene, lived here (memorial plaque)
○ Austrian composer Alexander Zemlinsky lived here (memorial plaque)
Masaryk Railway Station
○ this railway station building presents an interesting combination of Empire and Neo-Renaissance elements
○ it was the first steam railway station in Prague
○ it is currently undergoing reconstruction using a design from the most famous female architect in the world, Zaha Hadid
Kavárna Arco café
○ a meeting place for famous people involved in Prague’s German literature scene: Kafka, Brod, Werfel
○ it had a reading room with dozens of art magazines, including foreign ones
12. Jindřišská věž stop
Jindřišská Tower
○ originally the Gothic bell tower for the nearby Church of St Henry and St Kunhuta
○ the tallest freestanding bell tower in Prague (65.7 m)
○ there is a restaurant and observation gallery 10 floors above ground, a unique carillon
Jerusalem Synagogue 
○ built in 1905/1906 in Moorish style
○ designed by Austrian Jewish architect Wilhelm Stiassny
○ the largest synagogue in Prague
Fountain with a sculptural group of Czech musicians
○ the author of the statues was the prominent Czech surrealist sculptor Anna Chromy
○ the figures also represent rivers: the Amazon, the Ganges, the Mississippi and the Danube
13. Václavské náměstí (Wenceslas Square) stop
Wenceslas Square
○ Prague’s main square, the second-largest in Prague and in the Czech Republic
○ the upper part is closed by the Neo-Renaissance historic National Museum building
○ monument to the patron saint of the Czech lands, St Wenceslas by Josef Václav Myslbek
The Lucerna Palace
○ the first arcade and one of the first reinforced concrete buildings in Prague
○ the centre of First Republic culture, social life and Czech film
○ it was built by Vácslav Havel, the grandfather of the later President Václav Havel
U Nováků house and arcade
○ an Art Nouveau building built between 1901 and 1904 according to a design by famous architect Osvald Polívka
○ a multifunctional commercial palace with an arcade, shops, offices, a casino and a theatre
○ during the First Republic, the address of Osvobozené divadlo or the Liberated Theatre (Voskovec, Werich, Ježek)
14. Vodičkova stop
High School for Girls
○ a Neo-Rennaisance building dating from 1867 according to a project by Vojtěch Ignác Ullmann
○ the site of the first public city continuation school for girls in the Czech lands
○ girls were accepted from Europe, Russia and America; graduates included Ema Destinnová
New Town Hall 
○ one of the most important Gothic buildings in the New Town
○ the site of the first Prague defenestration (1419) – the beginning of the Hussite revolution
○ built into a wall is the ‘pražský loket’ (Prague cubit) – an old unit of length (used by the Prague markets)
Charles Square
○ the largest square in Prague and indeed the Czech Republic, and one of the largest squares in Europe
○ on the corner of Ječná Street, the Early Baroque Basilica of St Ignatius of Loyola, administered by the Jesuits
○ Faustův dům (Faust’s House) is on the southern side; it was owned by the alchemist Edward Kelly in the late 16th century
15. Lazarská stop
Diamond Building
○ a unique Cubist apartment building built between 1912 and 1913
○ the project’s architect was most probably the famous Cubist architect Emil Králíček
○ the interior features preserved Cubist elements: chandeliers, lamps, railings, doors, etched windows
Church of the Holy Trinity
○ a High Baroque triple-nave church dating from 1713 designed by Italian architect Octavio Broggio
○ it forms part of the former Trinitarian monastery that ransomed Christians from Turkish captivity
○ imaginatively connected to the neighbouring Diamand building with a Cubist arch above a statue of St John of Nepomuk
U Fleků Brewery
○ the first written mention of this building as a place for malting dates from 1499
○ one of only a few breweries in Central Europe where beer has been brewed without interruption for 500 years
○ a restaurant with its own unique beer, a cabaret and the U Fleků Brewery Museum
16. Národní třída stop
Máj department store
○ one of the most important buildings of modern Czech architecture in the 1970s
○ designed by architects from the Liberec-based SIAL studio, which also designed the Ještěd hotel
○ the building was declared a cultural monument of the Czech Republic in 2007
Commemorative plaque of the Velvet Revolution
○ a bronze plaque with eight hands raised in a gesture of victory or showing an empty palm
○ the authors were O. Příhoda and M. Krátký; it commemorates the demonstrations on Národní třída in November 1989
○ the plaque was originally in the passage, now closed; it was transferred to the façade in 2016
Topič Salon
○ this building from 1894 was originally the seat and exhibition hall of the Fr. Topič publishing house
○ the greatest artists of their time, such as Alfons Mucha and Toulouse-Lautrec, exhibited their works here
○ Topič Salon was the longest operating private gallery in Prague (55 years, 1894 to 1949)
17. Národní divadlo (National Theatre) stop
National Theatre
○ the most famous theatre in the Czech Republic, a symbol of the Czech national revival
○ it was built with money raised through public collections; it burnt down two months after opening, and was rebuilt from the ruins two years later
○ it is next to the New Stage: a Post-Modern building with elements of Brutalism, a cultural monument
Slavia Café
○ one of the most famous Prague cafés, its history stretches back 140 years
○ the traditional meeting place for artists: actors, filmmakers, writers, painters and musicians
○ the interior features a famous picture by Viktor Oliva “Absinthe Drinker”, better known as the “Green Fairy”
Legion Bridge
○ a granite bridge with nine arches and four towers; they were originally used for toll collection
○ it provides access to Střelecký Island, the site of the first All-Sokol Meeting in 1882
○ the ceremonial opening of the bridge was attended by the emperor, resulting in the famous photograph “A Walk on the Bridge”
18. Újezd stop
Petřín Hill
○ a hill in the centre of Prague (327 m above sea level), where marlstone was quarried to build Prague’s churches
○ in the central part of the Petřín Park, there is a monument to the most famous Czech poet, K. H. Mácha
○ several paths and also a funicular lead to the top 
Petřín Lookout Tower 
○ a steel tower dating from 1891 at the top of Petřín with an observation terrace 20 m above ground
○ a copy of the Eiffel Tower but one-fifth the size; the tops of both towers are at the same height above sea level
○ the Mirror Maze is nearby, located in a unique wooden building that is 130 years old
Josef Sudek’s studio
○ Josef Sudek – an important Czech photographer and an artist of European significance
○ the studio in the courtyard of the house at No 432 was the last garden photo studio from the end of the 19th century
○ today’s building is a faithful replica of the original studio, which burned down in 1985; it is now a gallery
19. Hellichova stop
Infant Jesus of Prague
○ the statue of the Infant Jesus comes from Spain; it is known around the world as the Bambini di Praga
○ the Infant Jesus of Prague has two crowns and around 50 outfits; he is clothed according to the liturgical norms
○ the statue is stored in the Church of Our Lady Victorious, administered by the Discalced Carmelites
Lennon Wall
○ an iconic wall that has featured inscriptions and messages since the 1960s
○ since the death of John Lennon (1980), it has been associated with his human rights and peace legacy
○ it was a place for anti-regime protest rallies in the last decade of totalitarianism
Kampa Island
○ one of the most romantic places in Prague; separated from the Malá Strana (Lesser Town) by the Čertovka Canal
○ Velkopřevorský mill, the last preserved Renaissance mill dating from the 16th century on Kampa
○ cruises on the Čertovka Canal are provided by the Prague Venice company 
20. Malostranské náměstí stop
St Nicholas Bell Tower 
○ a Baroque building dating from 1752; originally owned by the city, it was also used as a fire reporting station
○ regular tours, alone or guided; the only accessible black kitchen in Prague
○ the “Kajka” observation post used by the secret police operated in the tower from the 1950s to the fall of totalitarianism
Nerudova ulice Street
○ one of the most attractive streets in Prague; a large number of house signs
○ the last stage of the Royal Route used by coronation processions on their way to the castle
○ the brilliant architect Jan Blažej Santini-Aichel lived in Valkounský House (No 14/211)
Lesser Town Bridge Tower
○ the youngest part of Charles Bridge, built in 1464 on a model of the Old Town Bridge Tower
○ it is 43.5 m high, and its gallery is 26 m above ground; open to the public
○ joined by a Gothic gate to its neighbour, the Judith Tower, together they form the entrance to the Lesser Town
