PRAGUE
A fairy tale city steeped in culture and romance
PRAGUE
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rague is no longer one of Europe’s hidden gems but remains brilliant nonetheless, the city’s alluring architecture, culture and history having combined to create a romantic atmosphere which continues to draw increasing numbers at in ofthe tourists estuary year ofafter the Tagus year. An urban River,environment Prague is thesteeped westernin tradition, most its origins capital city dating in continental back more Europe than a millennium, and servesthe as Portugal’s Czech capital chief port, is mapped largest out and bycapital a mazecity, of cobbled and commercial, streets and fairy political tale-esque and tourist buildings centre. It was once considered by Europeans to be the furthest edge of the known world before it became basecamp for the renowned Portuguese explorers of the 15th and 16th centuries, Vasco da Gama being the most well-known. The city is defined geographically by seven hillsides which overlook the river, these vantage points being a highlight for anybody’s visit. Much of the architecture is defined by a huge earthquake that destroyed much of Prague in 1755, the rebuilding exercise that followed providing the template of what stands today. As well as being scenically spectacular, Prague is a crucial economic cen-
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which house everything from quaint cafes to the world’s largest LEGO museum. You might think this architectural prowess would be matched by an equally thriving traditional arts scene. And you would be correct. It’s the birthplace of Franz Kafka, an individual widely considered to be one of the key figures of 20th century literature. Further, an abundance of galleries and museums showcase an array of the city’s best artists – ideal attractions for visitors to relax and unwind.
Decimated by a cataclysmic series of earthquakes in 1755, Prague has been rebuilt into a national hub of economic and cultural activity on the Tagus River Writer: Tom Wadlow | Project Manager: Matt Cole-Wilkin
The city has a thriving business segment as well. 79 Czech firms rank on Deloitte’s overview of the top 500 largest central European companies, and many of these have a major footprint in Prague. Indeed, whether you’re looking tre and for the aesthetically lies on a strategic breath-taking, sea route. Its culturally magnificent or simply port is bustling with activity, handling a the hustle and bustle oftrade an urban large proportion of the between epicentre, Prague truly has itSpain. all. Portugal and neighbouring The city is also culturally one of the country’s most important hubs. Despite making up just three percent of Portugal’s landmass, the metropolitan area is home to more than a quarter of the nation’s population, owed much to the surge in migration from rural areas in the 1970s when industrial activity took off.
PRAGUE Home to a blossoming business environment and booming tourism industry, the Czech capital equally remains a fairy tale city steeped in culture and romance Writer: Jonathan Dyble | Project Manager: Joe Palliser
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FACTS & FIGURES
Languages: Czech Area: 496 km2² Population (2019): 1.3 million Currency: Czech Koruna Time zone: Central European Time Dialling code: +420 Internet TLD: .cz Climate: Continental Highest recorded temperature: 37.9°C
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New venue for your event
Multifunctional Cultural and Congress Centre
Universal Place. Unique Space.
New multifunctional centre O₂ universum was opened in Prague in September 2019. It will serve as a modern place especially for organizing large international congresses and corporate events. The complex is directly linked to the O₂ arena, the largest indoor venue in Czech Republic. O₂ universum offers 21 halls of different sizes at disposal with total capacity of 10 000 visitors and an area of 13 000 m² for exhibitions and commercial use on the four floors. The largest hall with a capacity of up to 4.5 thousand people will be used as a space for organizing mediumsized concerts, sporting events and international congresses.
“Thanks to the possibility of linking O₂ universum Prague with existing O₂ arena Prague on all floors, we have a space for up to 28 thousand visitors with plenty of exhibition space, restaurants and almost unlimited possibilities for client’s wishes. O₂ universum Prague will give possibility to host those events, which were unable to find a space in the Czech Republic before due to their size and space requirements. The name O₂ universum Prague perfectly reflects the essence and main characteristics of the object – universal, compact and very extensive space,” says Robert Schaffer, the chairman of board and CEO of Bestsport company and O₂ arena.
Largest hall for more than 4 500 pax Other two halls with capacity above 1 000 pax Together 21 halls and rooms Adjacent exhibition floor space more than 10 000 sqm 10 000 seats in all rooms (as per configuration) Prague, Czech Republic Opening September 2019
Contact Marek Chmátal Business Development Director O₂ universum Českomoravská 2345/17 190 00 Praha 9, Czech Republic email chmatal@bestsport.cz o2universum@bestsport.cz
PRAGUE
The Business End
LIKE THE REST of the country, Prague’s economy is highly diversified. Much of the private sector is focussed on heavy industry, with anything from aircraft engineers and refined oil product specialists to the electronics and chemicals sectors thriving throughout the city. In fact, Prague is home to approximately one fifth of all national investments, much of this being attributed to world-leading research and development. Equally, in the last decade, business services industries such as finance, IT and consulting have begun to flourish across the region. Yet despite this diversity, tourism remains the city’s primary source of revenue, accounting for 60 percent of the capital’s income. 6 | Outlook Travel magazine
Of the 10.6 million internationals who travelled to the Czech Republic in 2018, 6.7 million of these visited Prague. Equally, according to Prague City Tourism, the number of tourist information centre queries rose to more than 1.6 million last year, up from the 1.129 million seen in 2017. This upward tourism-centred trajectory has already shown healthy signs of continuing through the first half of 2019, the city’s visitor numbers having increased one percent on the first six months of 2018 – something that has stirred up distinct optimism amongst tourism bodies, such as Prague City Tourism itself and other niche industry operators including the Prague Convention Bureau.
The Industrial Palace is a beautiful building in the art nouveau style. Built by Bedrich Münzberger in 1891, it is used for exhibition purposes, but also for various cultural events
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In Focus Central Business District THE PRAGUE CENTRAL Business District epitomises the city’s growing economic success and thriving business travel scene. A planned complex of multifunctional buildings is currently under construction in central Prague, this new hub set to stand in the vicinity of the Masaryk Railway Station and either side of the Prague Highway. Powered by the visionary design of Zaha Hadid Architects, the site aims to transform and revitalise what is currently a largely disused site while meeting the city’s demands for more office space in the face of its booming service and IT industries.
Spanning a land area of approximately 22,000 square metres and costing CZK 6.5 billion ($280 million) to build, it is anticipated that the district will provide jobs for up to 10,000 people once it is up and running, as well as housing, a commercial zone and green spaces. It will also connect the Prague 1 municipality with Karlín and Žižkov, bolstering the region’s overall mobility offering.
Main Point Karlin was awarded the best office and business development in 2012
The Dancing House – originally named after the famous dancers Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers by CanadianAmerican architect Frank Gehry
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Why Vienna House • •
• •
Rened cuisine and creative coffee breaks. Networking events and teambuilding activities to enjoy. Experienced event team and tailor-made conferences. Explorative city specials (including hidden secrets).
PRAGUE
Prague Convention Bureau HAVING HELPED TO increase revenue and stimulate economic growth for the local community, the Bureau is more positive now than ever before, coming off the back of what was a record-breaking 2018. A year on since we last spoke with Hana Krejbichová, the organisation’s Marketing & PR Manager, she again answers our questions, showcasing how the Czech capital’s blossoming leisure and business tourism offerings have continued to excel. Outlook Travel (EMEO): Over the past year, how has Prague Convention Bureau developed and progressed in terms of its key objectives and the messages it tries to get across? Hana Krejbichová HK: 2018 was again record-breaking for Prague. We wel-
Scenic spring sunset aerial view of the Old Town pier architecture and Charles Bridge over the Vltava river
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Mandated to strengthen positive awareness of Prague, the Convention Bureau continues to propel the city’s standing as a crucial destination for conventions, congresses and business meetings comed the highest number of events in the history of Czech Statistical Office’s monitoring: 4,534. That is 2.2 percent more than in the record year of 2016 and 3.3 percent more than in 2017. Prague’s meetings industry was very successful last year not only on the local level, but also in the international comparison. In the ICCA
(International Congress and Convention Association) global ranking, which rates destinations based on the number of association congresses and conferences held, Prague ranks ninth. It has maintained its position in the world’s top 10 most popular meeting destinations, where it ranked eighth in the previous year. At the Prague Convention Bureau, we are also focused on developing our Ambassador Program – a strategic programme focused on the promotion of the Congress Ambassadors – local representatives of international professional associations in Prague and the Czech Republic. Within the Program, we annually hold the Ambassador Awards Evening. It is an occasion when doctors, scientists and other leading specialists who repre-
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Charles Bridge
sent the Czech Republic and Prague in international professional associations, and those who have significantly contributed to expert events being held in the Czech capital, are awarded. In April 2019, we organised the 10th awards ceremony. Since 2010, when the initiative was first introduced, more than 40 congress ambassadors have been awarded. At the occasion of the Ambassador Awards Evening’s 10th anniversary, the new Ambassador Program website was launched. EMEO: How would you say Prague has developed in recent years as a business travel hub and what are the key reasons behind its growing appeal? HK: The key players of Prague’s meetings industry have focused especially
“THE CITY IS ALSO VERY WELL LOCATED AND THUS EASILY ACCESSIBLE BY PLANE AND, FOR EUROPE-BASED TRAVELLERS, BY TRAINS OR CARS” on the renovation and enlargement of their properties in recent years. Around 15 large conference hotels have been renovated in the last two years and there are more projects planned for the upcoming months. In autumn 2019, another multifunctional venue for up to 10,000 delegates will be opened in Prague and we hope that we will be able to host not only larger conferences, but also more events concurrently thanks to this new venue. The combination of rich history together with all these improvements
is definitely one of the most appealing reasons for event organisers to hold their events in Prague. The city is also very well located and thus easily accessible by plane and, for Europe-based travellers, by trains or cars. EMEO: Why, in your opinion, should someone visit Prague? HK: There are many reasons why we would recommend someone to visit the Czech Republic’s capital. The main one is undoubtedly the preserved history present in the city, including Outlook Travel magazine | 11
PRAGUE
the number of historical monuments which you can not only see but also visit. The world’s oldest astronomical clock or world’s largest ancient castle area – these you can find only in Prague. But there are many other good reasons to visit – to taste Czech cuisine in Michelin Star restaurants or explore Prague’s hipster quarters and cafés. Even to taste Prague wine, as there are also seven vineyards in the city. Prague, where 57 percent of its area is green, is the world’s greenest city, and its gardens are really something any visitor shouldn’t miss. If you are a transportation geek, you can try and use the world’s fifth best transportation system. And still, all of these come at very reasonable, affordable prices, suiting those travelling on a budget. EMEO: Are there any specific attractions, landmarks or places to eat and drink that you would recommend? HK: Definitely, but this depends a lot on whether you are a first-time visitor,
Old Town of Cesky Krumlov is a UNESCO World Culture Heritage site
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“WE ARE OPTIMISTIC ABOUT THE FUTURE OF BUSINESS TOURISM IN PRAGUE. AS STATIS TICAL DATA SHOWS, PRAGUE IS STILL VERY POPULAR AMONG EVENT PLANNERS, AND THE NUMBER OF EVENTS HERE IS ON THE RISE” or if you have already been to Prague many times. First time visitors should head to the Prague Castle area, the Old Town, taste local cuisine and explore the city centre. For those who want to avoid the crowds in the high season, Prague City Tourism regularly updates its guide brochures focusing on the lesser known yet recommended Prague quarters that are sought by locals for their unique atmosphere.
EMEO: What trends are transforming the tourism industry in Prague at present? How are you responding to these trends? HK: Prague is experiencing record-breaking numbers of tourists lately. Our airport is planning an extensive enlargement in the near future and Prague City Tourism, responsible for the leisure tourism in Prague, has already prepared numerous guidebooks to showcase other parts of Prague to tourists in order to avoid over tourism in the city centre. Another goal is to increase the number of visitors returning to Prague regularly, as the majority of tourists are first-time visitors so far. EMEO: How do you see technology helping to transform Prague’s tourism offering in the coming years? HK: Many initiatives focusing on AI have emerged in Prague and the Czech Republic in recent years, and not only in the science arena. Virtual
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Cityscape view on the clock tower and Tyn Cathedral on the Old Square
reality and robots slowly found their place in Prague hotels or other venues. This is one of the trends that our partners and service providers follow nowadays, and we are expecting even broader use of these technologies in the near future. EMEO: Can you detail any examples of AI in action? HK: Many of our partners already use robots to help customers with airport navigation, bookings, or travel tips in the hotels. Did you know that the word “robot” originated from the Czech language? It was first used in one of the novels written by Czech author Karel Čapek. From a science perspective, the Prague.AI initiative was introduced in May 2019 by the Czech Academy of
Sciences, Charles University in Prague, Czech Technical University in Prague and City of Prague with the aim of establishing Prague as an AI hub within five years. Prague is also the home city of the first ever computer programme that outplays human professionals at heads-up no-limit hold’em poker called DeepStack. EMEO: How do you see Prague developing as a business travel hub over the next year to two years? HK: We hope Prague will support the meetings industry as an ideal option of how to face and partially also prevent leisure over tourism in the city. With new openings and refurbishments, we hope that Prague will increasingly get on the lists of event planners that were not considering the Czech capital
previously due to capacity limitations. We are optimistic about the future of business tourism in Prague. As statistical data shows, Prague is still very popular among event planners, and the number of events here is on the rise. We hope this trend will continue in the coming years, and we are trying to get the best support possible from the City of Prague to attract the organisers of congresses and conferences from all around the world through grants, administrative support, flight ticket discounts and/or free public transportation tickets.
For further information please visit: www.pragueconvention.cz
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THE PRAGUE CONGRESS CENTRE IS YOUR PATH TO A FLOURISHING EVENT Being the largest congress centre in the Czech Republic, the Prague Congress Centre (PCC) stands out among competitors for its prestige. Its size, tradition and business success puts it on the list of Europe’s top congress venues. PCC’s brilliant architecture together with a sense of a flexible interior allows clients to hold various events simultaneously. The PCC is therefore an ideal place for large congresses, conferences and events for up to 10 000 people, who don’t like to settle for the average but want to take advantage of the VIP boardrooms and noble foyers which offer beautiful views of the Prague city panorama, the Prague Castle and the Old Town. Built with the best available materials such as marble, steel and a generous approach, the building with its futuristic design and art genius loci hides many artistic glass chandeliers, oil and graphic paintings and tapestries. Uncovering its secrets of preserved art and functional architecture, many world-renowned artists turn its halls and stages into hubs for unforgettable moments. Apart from global conventions, the Congress Hall hosted different
Contemporary Home, Karel Souček
types of performers from classical music to rock, musicals, ballet and magic shows such as Mireille Mathieu, Ringo Star, Mamma Mia musical, Stomp or the Illusionists to name few. Focusing on delivering the best for its visitors, the Prague Congress Centre has gone through a major modernisation of its interior premises, such as the refurbishment of the halls, meeting rooms and corridors. Guests can currently enjoy their favourite show from perfectly comfortable chairs with individual air condition ensuring optimal conditions and air flow throughout the whole event. On top of that they can choose from the exclusive catering offer and have a glass of champagne during the break. In order to enhance services for performers and speakers, the PCC has also introduced newly renovated dressing rooms and backstage support rooms, that include modern toilets, showers and storage. It does not matter what kind of an event you are organising, whether a scientific conference, a motivational seminar or a symphonic concert, you will always feel like a star with the PCC.
The Sun, Vladimír Procházka
Over 200 art pieces
Over 250 events annually
Variable premises – 20 halls and 50 meeting rooms
More than 1400 years of our team expertise
Excellent acoustics
615m2 of stage area
Comfortable and individually airconditioned chairs
Excellent transport accessibility
A Woman With a Dove, Stanislav Libenský and Jaroslava Brychtová
A glass chandelier in South Boardroom 2, Vladimír Procházka
PRAGUE
Outlook Recommends “Prague is the equal of Paris in terms of beauty. Its history goes back a millennium. And the beer? The best in Europe” - Lonely Planet
HOTE L S & HOS P ITA L I TY
Vienna House We serve all your meetings and events here at Vienna House in Prague, Czech Republic. Do you like the homey atmosphere and prefer to meet in a friendly way, even if the meetings are important and serious ones? Hold your meetings at Vienna House in Prague, in the heart of Europe, with our creative coffee breaks and accompanying programme. Do you need to increase the sales, integrity, creativity, or team spirit of your organisation? Join the special teambuilding activities that Vienna House has prepared for you to support your company’s needs! Create and blend your individual fragrance, bean around the world with coffee, test how you tune together in an orchestra simulation, beat the unknown counting down box or build a railway in Mexico – all of this in a comfortable Vienna House meeting room, in the hotel’s courtyard or rooftop terrace.
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AS VALUABLE AS A GOOD FRIEND 5 hotels 1200 guest rooms 29 meeting rooms IN THE CITY CENTER OF PRAGUE
www.le-hotels.cz
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Outlook Recommends HOTE L S & HOS P ITA L I TY
Le Hotels Group Le Hotels Group is home to five of Prague’s most esteemed hotels. From Elite Hotel, Majestic Plaza Prague and Grandium Prague found south of the Old Town to Grand Majestic Plaza and Grandiour Hotel Prague to the north, each of these hospitality venues are in immediate walking distance of all the city centre’s major attractions. This is not all, however. If you’re looking for fine dining, relaxation and/or meetings and conferencing space, then you need to look no further than the interior walls of each of these hotels themselves.
Hilton Prague Situated ideally between Prague’s historical Old Town and the city’s thriving business district, the Hilton Prague hotel is perfectly suited to business and leisure travellers alike. Home to delicious cuisine, stylish guest rooms, a health club and meeting facilities, there’s something for everyone at this prestigious venue. Highlights:
- Central location, 25 minutes from Václav Havel Airport Prague. - Named a top hotel for events in Europe by Cvent. - Three restaurants and two bars. - 2,000-square-metre LivingWell Health Club & Spa. - 38 meeting rooms, Congress Hall and a Grand Ballroom. - All rooms to be fully renovated by Q1 2020
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The Place for Big Imaginations
Newly renovated Hilton Prague is a stylish and spacious hotel with a unique combination of size and location on the banks of the Vltava river. An integral part of the Prague’s city centre, Hilton Prague’s newly refurbished premises combine excellent services, facilities and events with a trademark flexibility and creativity all under its transparent pyramid glass roof.
Location Hilton Prague is conveniently located in a stylish, vibrant quarter, right next to the city centre, which can be reached by a short walk. That way, you can enjoy the historical sites and the beauty of the Czech capital whenever you feel like it. Meetings, Conferences, Events At Hilton Prague, named #1 for meetings and events in Europe by Cvent for second year in a row, we have the space, means and creativity to provide you with an unforgettable experience. The size doesn’t matter. From small meetings with an intimate atmosphere to grand events for up to 1500 people, our flexibility, expertise and unparalleled food and beverage will make it happen. Hilton Prague offers a wide choice of conference and meeting rooms and facilities as well as dedicated event management team that will be at your side from the start to the finish. The unique Atrium Lobby is an ideal venue for welcome receptions while the Congress Hall can accommodate up to 1.350 people in theatre style. Latest AV technologies including branded video mapping on the indoor façade or even on the tables during gala dinners will definitely wow the delegates.
Accommodation Hilton Prague offers 791 newly refurbished guest rooms, including two Executive floors, suites, and apartments. The rooms are tastefully decorated in a contemporary style and are equipped with 55-inch flat TVs, high-speed internet and Wi-Fi, mini bars, laptop-size safes, bedside USB chargers, individually controlled AC and much more. Eat and drink At Hilton Prague, you can choose from five different outlets including the 24/7 Café & Bistro or the Atrium Restaurant serving breakfast and group lunches and dinners for up to 450 delegates. Special tip One of the unique venues meeting organizers always appreciate is the rooftop Cloud 9 Sky Bar & Lounge located 40 metres above the Vltava river with two outdoor terraces and glorious views of Prague. Its matchless chic urban lounge ambiance and the breath-taking city views make Cloud 9 an ideal venue for parties and welcome receptions. Hilton Prague, Pobrezni 1, 188 00 Prague 8, Czech Republic
prague.hilton.com WWW.EMEOUTLOOKMAG.COM
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Outlook Recommends MI CE VENU ES
O2 Universum Set to open with a concert performance from Czech band Kábat on September 26, 2019, the O2 Universum Arena will become one of Prague’s leading modern multifunctional centres. Offering up to 24 halls of various sizes, the facility will be capable of welcoming 10,000 visitors at any one time, its largest hall able to hold up to 4,500 people. Currently, it is gearing up to host performances including Beethoven’s 9th Symphony orchestra and National Geographic’s Symphony For Our World, alongside a concert from The Neighbourhood.
Prague Congress Centre Formerly known as the Palace of Culture Prague, Prague Congress Centre is one of the capital’s largest neofunctionalist facilities. Able to house up to 2,764 people in one room, and 10,000 people in total across 13,000 square metres of exhibition space, it readily hosts musicals, meetings, festivals and concerts as well as congresses. Landmark events it has entertained in the past include the 55th IMF and World Bank meeting, NATO Summit (2002), European Conference on Housing and Sustainable Urban Development (2016) and Congress of the International Congress and Convention Association (2017).
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3,700 m
2
conference and exhibition area
Choose your own lighting colour
1,700 pax
Multipurpose Venue For Your Events
capacity
CUBISM
1,000 pax
interiors inspired by Czech cubist architecture
main hall capacity
www.cubexcentrum.cz
MI CE VENU ES
R E STAUR A N T S
M USEUM S
Cubex Centrum Praha
The Eatery
The Museum of Decorative Arts Národní Muzeum Jewish Museum
Sad Man’s Tongue Bar & Bistro
Grand Cru Restaurant Outlook Travel magazine | 21
PRAGUE
Transport Links THE CZECH CAPITAL is the eighth most visited city in Europe, its world renowned Václav Havel Airport acting as a key transit hub for not only the city but the entire continent. Owed to its four terminals operating direct connections to major cities around the world, from Moscow to Dubai to London, 17 million passengers passed through the airport in 2018 – a figure that’s expected to rise to 18 million this year.
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Upon arrival, a short 15-minute (nine kilometre) taxi ride or 30-minute metro journey will take you to the city centre, where getting around is relatively simple for one of Europe’s major capital cities. “Although it may not seem so at first, it’s a very small and compact city,” Krejbichová states, “making walking the best way of navigating the centre. Some take bikes, but as Prague is paved with cobblestones, its not always the easiest. “For longer distances, public transportation is the best choice. The Prague system was ranked as being the fifth best in the world and the journey from the city centre to the outskirts takes only 30 minutes by metro.”
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Landmark Attractions PRAGUE CASTLE
CHARLES BRIDGE “Charles Bridge is a 14th century stone bridge linking the two side of Prague. This magnificent structure, one of the city’s finest attractions, is the main pedestrian route connecting the Old Town with the Lesser Tower and Prague Castle” – Prague Experience
“Prague is one of those places that seems like it was pulled straight from a fairy tale. Head to Prague Castle, specifically, and you’ll see what we mean. Professionally, it’s the official home of the President of the Czech Republic. But for obvious reasons, it’s become a popular tourist spot, and a hotspot for stand-out Instagram photos” – Travel+Leisure
PRAGUE ASTRONOMICAL CLOCK “The Prague Astronomical Clock, which for 600 years has been one of the greatest treasures of the city, still amazes people with its procession of Apostles, moving statues and visualization of time like no other instrument in the world” – Czech Tourism
STATUE OF FRANZ KAFKA “The 42 mobile tiers of this 11-metre-tall sculpture align to form the face of the famous Czech writer Franz Kafka. This 39-tonne bust by artist David Černý dates from November 2014 and stands just by the Quadrio business centre, directly above the Národní třída metro station” – Prague.eu
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joe.palliser@outlookpublishing.com Tel: +44 (0) 1603 959 676 jordan.levey@outlookpublishing.com Tel: +44 (0) 1603 959 668 krisha.canlas@outlookpublishing.com Tel: +44 (0) 1603 959 682 matt.cole-wilkin@outlookpublishing.com Tel: +44 (0) 1603 959 669 w w w. o u t l o o k t r a ve l m a g . c o m