Prague, like a grand old lady weathered by time and former neglect, shines with elegance and beauty through the peeling paint and crumbling cornices of the former royal capital. It is a city in which the Gothic blends with the Renaissance and Baroque in a seemless mix of spires, vaults, and domes. The rich urban fabric of the city invites exploring on foot. The unity of the arts is beautifully evident with sculpture, painting, and architecture interweaving throughout the city. This is revealed from the many churches to the famous bridges of the city. Prague allows a rare window into what a Gothic city would have looked like, as it has important examples of civic architecture, not merely Gothic churches. Perhaps none is more spectacular than Vladislav Hall in Prague Castle. The city represents traditional architecture and urbanism at its best, as layers of history unfold in the hierarchy of the city.
