European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - May 28, 1992, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Prague a group of musicians strikes up a song on Charles Bridge. Hrad Cany Castle District a Castle / old a Quot old jewish cemetery in cd tend town hell old town Wene Esles Square net tonal museums amps Peter Jaeger the Cathedral of St. Vitus sits on the site of a town dating from the ninth Century. Wenceslas Square prices can drop rather remarkably away from the thoroughfare. A Complete dinner including salad and drinks can be found for less than $6 at restaurants in the Side streets away from the Square. Certainly not to be missed is a tour of the monumental Prague Castle across the River via the Charles Bridge. It is said that the growth of the state of Bohemia began there in the late ninth Century. This rambling romanesque Structure appears to have been built to accommodate horses much More so than the medieval castles found in Central Europe. Inside the Castle Complex is the Cathedral of St. Vitus which was started in 1344 and finished nearly 600 years later. It has massive stained Glass windows a collection of impressive tombs and next to the altar a Large work of Christ and four Angels done in glistening Silver. Unless you re planning to stay in Prague for a Long time Don t bother wasting an afternoon on a Side trip to Karlstein Castle. It was built by Charles in to House Royal jewels and holy relics but today Little is left of the fortress which lies about 20 Miles Southwest of Prague. With so few antique furnishings dating Back to the Castle s origins still in the rooms one has to View a doll House sized replica to see How the rooms looked. The Chapel of the holy Cross one of the Castle s main Points of interest is closed due to construction until next year. As far As Side trips go an interesting one is to Terem a world War ii concentration Camp for jews that was described by Adolf Hitler As a jewish ghetto Complete with a Park and outdoor swimming Pool. About 35,000 jews died at this Camp which was mainly a deportation Camp for inmates who were bound for extermination As part of the nazis a final  sunlight brightens the Interior of St. Vitus. Travellers tips Prague is about a seven hour drive East of Frankfurt Germany. One Good route is to take autobahn 6 East to Amberg Germany and then b-85 toward Cham. Near Bruck about 10 Miles Southeast of Schoandorf is the last Esso in Germany on this route. From Cham take b-20 Northeast through Furth in Wald and on to Czechoslovakia. Klat Ovy is an excellent Stop for a break in Czechoslovakia. The arduous climb up the City Tower is Worth the Effort and the Friendly attendant at the top is always willing to Point out the City s interesting sights. She Speaks German but not English. From there drive North and then take e-50 to Prague. Another Way to Prague from Germany is to take b-299 North from Amberg until it intersects with b-14, which is also called e-50 and runs straight to Prague. From the South follow a-93 from Regensburg Germany until it intersects with b-14. In Prague the Price of lodging goes for As Low As $5 a night at a pension. For the less expensive accommodations try walking around the main train station and someone will invariably make a legitimate offer to you Complete with directions. Otherwise try the Prague information service Pis at 2-544444 or the czechoslovak travel Agency Cedon at 2-261892. A Good place to Stop is the american hospitality Center at male Amesti 14, just behind the old town Hall. The Center has information including czech newspapers in English. It also has City maps a Money changing service and reservation assistance a although its rooms May be More expensive than ones you la find on your own. It also has restaurants serving american food. Its Telephone number is 2-2367486. All numbers Are for Calls within Czechoslovakia if calling from outside the country be sure to add the country code. Another excellent place with a wealth of information in English is the american express office located on Wenceslas Square. These people can be very helpful and they speak fluent English. An Olympia guide on Prague in English is available at most bookstores in the City and lists just about everything needed to know about the City. For More information in English Stop at a news stand and Purchase a Prague prognosis newspaper and its visitor s guide. English is not widely spoken in Prague but German is. Dinners can be quite inexpensive at most restaurants. Even ordering the most expensive entry on the menu the Price can be under $6. As a barometer for prices a big Mac Small Fries and Small Milkshake at the local Mcdonald s costs less than $3. There Are Many Black marketeers in Prague and most Are located around Wenceslas Square. As far As exchanging Money goes find a Bank. Otherwise you la be dishing out Money for a commission. There s no reason to Exchange Money even at the czechoslovakian Border a whether your first Stop is at Karloy vary Klat Ovy Pulzen or Prague you can find a Bank open five and six Days a week. If the Banks Are closed then use one of the Many Exchange offices open daily. Many Prague locals warn that crime is on the upswing these Days. Take care to keep your Wallet or purse in a Safe place. A Ron Mckinney May 28, 1992 stripes Magazine 9