Czechia: Art, Gardens, and Memorials in Prague

In visiting a city, we’re often searching for things to see to maintain some level of interest in a teenager and preteen, which means

• Snacks, drinks, more snacks
• Whenever possible, outside is better
• If you want them to learn something, try to make it visual and keep it short

Luckily, there’s tons to see in Prague that interests adults and kids alike, and we didn’t even come close to seeing it all.

The Velvet Revolution & Other Memorials

Olbram Zoubek’s Memorial to the Victims of Communism at the base of Petřín Hill was a great opportunity to discuss a bit about the history of communism in the Czech Republic.

Another monument to see is the Velvet Revolution Monument Plague, a memorial to the 1989 non-violent student uprising leading to the downfall of communism. The outstretched hands represent the students who faced off against riot police on the 50th anniversary of when the Nazis stormed Prague in 1939. In 1989, students were attacked by police as well, sparking a series of protests against the government and eventually to the fall of the communist government.

Following John Lennon’s death in 1980, this wall was transformed from ordinary into a place of art and graffiti mourning the musician. Quickly, it transitioned into a silent protest against the communist government, a symbolic call for freedom. Even with the end of communism, the John Lennon Wall has remained, constantly painted and graffitied.

Art Outside

Prague has some really fun sculptures to discover – do you love penguins, scary babies with coin-slot faces? Then this city is the place for you!

Provocative and rebellious, Czech sculptor David Cerny is behind many of these compelling and sometimes controversial artworks. Kurt Gebauer’s bright and glowing heart sculpture in the plaza of the National Theatre is in memory of former president and playwright Václav Havel. Kafka is showcased in a few artworks. The sculptures we saw weren’t even the half of what’s worth seeing in Prague. Here’s a great list covering many others.

Municipal Library of Prague

City Gardens

Wandering through the city from garden to ice cream to sculpture, to a new garden, then lunch.., works great in keeping everyone interested and engaged.

The Vrtba Garden

Wallenstein Palace & Valdstejnska zahrada

Constructed in the 1620s, the Wallenstein Palace is well known for its geometric gardens and the Dripstone Wall which, from a distance, appears like dripping skulls. Some believe that the Dripstone Wall itself could contain secret passageways, but we didn’t find any secret doors, just one regular door. 

Food & Drink

The iconic Trdelník, or chimney cake, was one we were all on board to try. Its a dessert made from rolled dough, wrapped around a stick, then cooked over a flame and topped with sugar and walnut mix. In our case, at a little spot called Café U Kajetána, it was then filled with either ice cream, fruit, or whipped cream. It definitely did not disappoint.

We also made sure to order švestkové knedlíky, or plum dumplings, a dessert we make at home and that I learned to make from my best friend’s family while we were growing up. We ordered multiple types of dumplings, some sweet and some savory, throughout the trip, and here’s a great list of many popular types.