Prague is the main tourist trump card of the Czech Republic. This ancient city is always beautiful - in winter and summer, in rain and snow. And yet, is there any specific time of the year that is most suitable for a visit to Prague? And there is! And there are several such seasons: September, December, April and May.

Let's look at each period separately.

Winter (December)

Gothic, a little fabulous architecture Prague seems to be made for snowy surroundings. Many tourists are attracted here by the images of the ancient winter roofs of medieval buildings covered with a thick layer of snow. We hasten to disappoint you - with snow in the Czech Republic, not everything is so simple. Winters here are quite mild and have little snow. Sometimes, right up to the beginning of December, fresh flowers are found here and there. But, thanks to local climatic features, you will have the greatest chance of getting covered in snow at the most ideal time imaginable - on Christmas Eve.

In winter, it is worth going to Prague for two things: to look at the classic Advent (the pre-Christmas period in Catholicism) and to catch the period of the biggest discounts in the Czech Republic.

The best time to travel is, no doubt, mid-December, when airfare prices have not yet had time to rise completely, but the city is already appearing in all its Christmas splendor. The average temperature this month during the day/night: +1/-2. In Prague, the Christmas season opens on the night of December 5-6 with the celebration of St. Mikulas (roughly speaking, this is the local Santa Claus, who also gives gifts to Czech children). On this day, on the streets of Prague, you can meet costumed Angels and Bishops distributing sweets. There are decorated Christmas trees all over the city, garlands are everywhere, merry Christmas fairs work on the main squares of the city, everything around sparkles with New Year's lights. The main city tree is set up on the Old Town Square, where the main fair opens with wonderful Christmas gifts and strange at first glance products like Christmas carp - the main gastronomic attribute of this holiday in the Czech Republic.

An important point: for Czechs, Christmas is a very family holiday, which is usually celebrated at home. Therefore, most public places in Prague (shops, restaurants, clubs, museums) do not function on December 24 and 25, even transport operates on a limited basis. But the New Year is celebrated here on a grand scale. And already in the first days of January, the city begins to acquire its usual appearance, as long New Year holidays in the Czech Republic is not provided, and holiday paraphernalia does not stay for a long time.

Another important plus of the winter holidays in Prague is the annual sales, which in the Czech Republic are called "Sleva". In total, there are 4 such sales per year, the largest of which is held in winter. All Czechs are looking forward to it, because the discounts at this time are not only the largest, but the season itself is very long - from mid-December to the end of February.

What to visit in winter:

· Old Town Square;

· Wenceslas Square;

· The Charles Bridge

Spring (April - May)

This time of year is beautiful in itself and not only in Prague. But here spring begins much earlier, and therefore lasts longer than, for example, here in Russia. While in Moscow we observe slush, mud and occasional snow, warm weather is already setting in Prague, and the awakening nature is fragrant with the aromas of blooming magnolia, cherry and lilac. In April, the temperature fluctuates on average from 10 to 20 degrees, in May - from 12 to 22.

It is worth explaining that March is somewhat inferior to April and May in terms of weather, but the prices for air tickets for this period are quite low.

Prague Spring This is the season of festivals and holidays:

• March is famous for the international auteur film festivals Febiofest and European Film Days.
• In early April, the whole city begins preparations for Easter. The streets are decorated with Easter decorations, the Old Town and Wenceslas Squares begin to work Easter fairs, festive events are held. Everything looks unusual and colorful.
• On the night of April 30 to May 1, Walpurgis Night takes place, which has transformed from the ancient custom of scaring away witches by burning their effigies into harmless, but very large-scale and colorful city festivities. Celebrations take place in the parks of Landronica and Kampe and are fun processions with stuffed witches, dances dressed in costumes of evil spirits, guests, performances, contests, concerts, and, of course, burning stuffed animals.
• On May 1, Labor Day is celebrated in Prague, large-scale processions and festivities are held.
• On the same day, May 1, the festival "Cherry Blossoms on Petrishina" takes place, the local day of lovers. Many couples on this day climb Petrin Hill to kiss in flowering bushes - then their love, according to local legend will bloom forever.
• In mid-May, Prague hosts the International Book Fair and international festival classical music"Prague Spring".
• At the end of May, the colorful gypsy festival Khamoro is traditionally held here for a week, but the entrance to the festival is paid - 200-500 crowns.
• The main spring festival event in Prague is held in mid-May. This is a three-week Czech beer festival. Every year, many Czech producers present more than a hundred different types of beer here. In fact, this is a less hyped version of Oktoberfest.

It should be noted that what closer summer, the more rapidly the prices of air tickets, hotel accommodation and tourist services are creeping up. The peak falls on the May holidays (by the way, at this time there are especially many Russians here). To save on the trip, but still catch the beginning of May, it is best to go there in the last week of April with the capture of the first days of May.

What to visit in spring:

· Mala Strana area;

· The observation deck of the Petřín Tower (at this time, thanks to flowering plants, the panorama of the Czech capital acquires lilac-pink hues);

Complex Loreta;

· Strahov Monastery

Autumn (September)

With the advent of autumn, the velvet season begins in Prague. The main tourist flow subsides, the summer stuffiness is replaced by a comfortable temperature and the freshness of light autumn winds. According to many who are familiar with the climate of the Czech Republic, best weather in Prague it is set precisely at the beginning of autumn, the temperature is kept at the level of 15-22 degrees above zero. In addition, September is considered one of the sunniest months - if it rains, it is very short-lived, most of the day the bright sun shines.

There are many parks and greenery in Prague, by the end of September the whole city is covered with a golden blanket. The ideal time is coming for peaceful walks through the quiet city squares and alleys.

At the beginning of autumn, it is good to go on a day trip to the Prague suburbs or deep into the Czech Republic. Prague museums and attractions continue to be active before going on vacation until spring. During this period, it also activates theatrical life city, art lovers should visit local performances. And on September 28, the whole country celebrates the Day of Czech Statehood.

Another pleasant aspect of the autumn holiday in Prague is that at this time the prices are reduced, and sales of summer products begin in stores.

What to visit in autumn:

· Prague Castle;

urban observation decks;

the royal fortress of Vysehrad;

the island of Kampa;

· water excursion along the Vltava river;

· Jewish city;

· Old Town Square;

As you can see, we have not included the summer season in our list. In summer, Prague, of course, is no worse than at all other times. However, the Czech Republic, and its capital in particular, is perhaps the most popular tourist destination in Eastern Europe. Therefore, the city, which never suffers from a lack of tourists, is filled with them to the maximum in summer, which can please few people. However, in any case, Prague is always great!

The largest international music festival Prague Spring is the most prestigious and oldest classical music festival in the Czech Republic. Every year during the festival are given dozens of traditional and experimental concerts in the most beautiful halls of the capital. Many celebrities and world stars come to the Czech Republic for it every year. Festival starts May 12 “My Motherland” by Bedrich Smetana which will be performed Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Daniel Barenoim. This magnificent orchestra is often called the best orchestra in the world. Also at the festival in 2017, a number of concerts from Cycle “Spain and Latin America”. Many stars from Spain, Brazil, Mexico and Argentina will perform in Prague. First International Music Festival “Prague Spring” was held in 1946 in honor of the 50th anniversary of the Czech Philharmonic Orchestra. The traditional venue for festival concerts is the Rudolfinum, a significant part of the concerts are also held in the Smetana Hall of Prague public house. Also, every year, within the framework of the festival, a competition of young musicians in various specialties is held.

A music festival that rightfully bears the title major event in cultural life Czech Republic over the past 70 years.

The Prague Spring International Competition is the oldest and largest music festival in Czech Republic. This event is considered one of the most prestigious competitions for classical musicians around the world. Every year it gathers on its stages the most outstanding performers, orchestras and ensembles from all over the world.

The Prague Spring Festival is the brainchild of the legendary Czech conductor Rafael Kubelik, who was noted as the head of such orchestras as Covent Garden and the New York Metropolitan Opera. Already the first festival, held in 1946, brought together the entire color of Western academic music, including the debut of the famous American pianist and composer Leonard Bernstein. One of the main sites musical holiday traditionally becomes the famous Rudolfinum. In total, about 17 stages are involved in the Prague Spring, where more than 50 concerts will take place with the participation of musicians from 22 countries.

Tickets for the Prague Spring Festival start from 350 CZK.

Festival "Pražské jaro" - greatest event in the world of classical music.

• In 2017, the Prague Spring will last three weeks - from May 12 to June 2.
• The program of the festival is available.

The festival begins with a procession from the grave of Bedrich Smetana, located at the local cemetery, near the ancient castle, to.

The history of the origin of the festival

Prague Spring is rightfully recognized as one of the grandest classical music festivals in all of Eastern Europe. For almost seven decades, this international cultural event has attracted the most outstanding musicians and opera singers from all over the planet. But one of the main features of this music festival is that young talented performers, for whom the Prague Spring is a kind of ticket to life, can also participate in it.

The idea of ​​creating the festival originated back in 1946, when Czechoslovakia and its capital Prague celebrated the first anniversary of the Victory in World War II. In the same spring, the Czech Philharmonic Orchestra celebrated its 50th anniversary. In honor of these two significant events on a national scale, the leader of the orchestra, Rafael Kubelik, with the support of his musicians and simply fans of classical music, decided to organize the Prague Spring Music Festival. This initiative was also supported by the then President of Czechoslovakia, Edvard Beneš, and the first musical event was held under his patronage. At that time, mainly Czech musicians participated in the festival, and the organizers did not even imagine that it would become so popular and gain worldwide fame.
In the first "Prague Spring" big interest the audience and other musicians were invited by performers from Russia: Lev Oborin, Evgeny Mravinsky and David Oistrakh. Igor Oistrakh, the son of David Oistrakh, later also performed at the festival.

Since 1947, as part of the Prague Spring, a special competition has been held in honor of one of the outstanding Czech musicians, in which young musicians of various specialties participate. For example, the 1947 competition was dedicated to Rafael Kubelik's father, the great Czech composer and violinist Jan Kubelik.

In 1952 was born new tradition: the opening of the "Prague Spring" from that time begins on May 12 - on the day of the death of the outstanding Czech pianist, composer and conductor Bedrich Smetana, and obligatory musical works on opening day symphonic poems Sour cream from the cycle "My Motherland".

For three weeks there are many concerts in the most the best halls Prague: in, in (in the hall named after Smetana), in, in, in and in the Church of St. Simon. More than 70 performers and 20 orchestras from all over the world manage to perform at the festival venues. Every year, about 50 concerts take place on average within the framework of the Prague Spring.

The festival gathers not only talented performers from all over the world, but also thousands of listeners, so during the days of the "Prague Spring" in the capital of the Czech Republic there is a special revival, and the beautiful old city is filled with an atmosphere of magical musical art.

In the program of the festival, in addition to the performance classical works worldwide famous composers, the performance of artists with musical compositions is provided contemporary authors which makes Prague Spring unique compared to similar festivals and events.

Participation in the Prague Spring festival is considered a high honor among true musicians, but only really talented artists who have repeatedly demonstrated the highest level of their skills have a chance to receive an invitation to this prestigious event. Every year before the festival is held international competition young performers, and the winners of this competition will take part in the Prague Spring.

Over the years in Czech music festival such world-famous stars as Herbert von Karoyan, Svyatoslav Richter, Mstislav Rostropovich and many others performed.

Today, Prague Spring is a large-scale festival that includes in its concert program chamber, symphonic and opera works, and a unique forum of performers of immortal classical music.