The Prague section of the Zittau Way of St. James begins in Prosek at the Church of St. Wenceslas, where pilgrims enter the capital city. The route enters this district via Kbely, along Mladoboleslavská and Čakovická Streets, where the first and best-preserved of the Via Sancta pilgrimage route’s niche chapels is located – a Baroque monument commemorating the historic pilgrimage route from Prague to Stará Boleslav. The Romanesque Church of St. Wenceslas, founded in the 12th century, stands in old Prosek. The surrounding countryside was once wine-growing country, and this legacy is commemorated today by a vineyard column, where the route turns down through the park around Prosek Pond and the Jetelka and Kelerka estates to Vysočany railway station. There, it passes under the tracks of the renovated Vysočany station building and enters Podviní Park – a green oasis with a relaxation zone, through which the Rokytka stream flows. The pilgrimage route follows the Rokytka stream along a cycle path to its confluence with the Vltava River. In Libeň, it passes an old niche chapel, which local residents rescued through a modern construction. Libeň is an ancient place, first mentioned in 1363, and pilgrims will find several worthwhile stops here: the beautiful Art Nouveau Libeň Sokol Hall, the wooden Art Nouveau Church of St. Adalbert, and Libeň Chateau, which features three architectural styles – Renaissance, Baroque and Rococo. St. Wenceslas Church in Prosek | Photo credit: VitVit | Source: cs.wikipedia.org Not far away, on the grounds of the primary school named after writer Bohumil Hrabal, stands the Girl with a Bicycle Memorial – a quiet, poignant reminder of the courage of Jindřiška Nováková, the youngest woman executed at Mauthausen, whose fate was tragically linked to the assassination of Reinhard Heydrich. After this brief pause, the route returns to Elsnicovo náměstí Square on Libeňský Island via the new DOCK and DOCK Marina developments, heading under the Libeňský Bridge back to the river via Rohanský Island, then around Štvanice Island, and finally to the Štefánik Bridge. Convent of St. Agnes of Bohemia | Source: Prague City Tourism Here, the route leaves the river, crosses Revoluční Street and enters the historic heart of Prague – the Řásnovka district, where the Convent of St. Agnes of Bohemia is located. This monastery is one of the most important monuments of medieval Prague. It was founded even before 1234 by King Wenceslas I for the Poor Clares at the instigation of his sister, later Saint Agnes of Bohemia. From St. Agnes, the route continues across Haštalské náměstí Square, Rybná and Jakubská Streets to the Church of St. James the Greater in Prague’s Old Town. This monastery basilica was founded in 1232. The present Baroque appearance with rich stucco decor dates back to the turn of the 17th and 18th centuries. The compound includes a Minorite Monastery, which is open to the public and has preserved its Gothic features, recalling an era when important events took place here, such as the wedding banquet of King John of Luxembourg and Beatrice of Bourbon in 1337. Church of St. James is also the Prague terminus of the Zittau Way of St. James and an important point on the pilgrimage network leading further west – to pilgrimage sites in western Bohemia and on to the cathedral in Santiago de Compostela. Štvanice island Holešovice view National Gallery Prague — Convent of St Agnes of Bohemia Staré Město view Basilica of St James Staré Město view load the map Pilgrims who have enough time and want to explore other picturesque parts of Prague can take an optional detour to Troja. Past the confluence of the Rokytka and Vltava rivers, simply continue along the right bank, where the path leads through peaceful countryside alongside the navigation canal. The dominant feature of this area is the early Baroque Troja Chateau, built between 1679 and 1685 by Count Václav Vojtěch of Šternberk. Architect Jean Baptiste Mathey designed a summer residence that still stands out today for its painted ornamentation and garden architecture. After touring the chateau, cross the Vltava River via the Troja Bridge or the footbridge to Troja Island and enter the Stromovka Royal Game Reserve, whose origins date back to the reign of John of Luxembourg. On the hillside above the park stands the Governor’s Summer Palace, originally a hunting lodge from the time of Vladislav II of Hungary. Today, Stromovka serves as a large recreational park, ideal for relaxing during the pilgrimage. Photo: Prague-Troja Municipal District Office Walk through the park to Letná, then up Čechova Street to Milady Horákové Street and continue along Nad Štolou Street to Letenská pláň. Pass by the National Technical Museum and the National Agricultural Museum, and stop at Letenský zámeček Chateau to enjoy an iconic view of the historic centre of Prague. Descend from Letná and cross the Vltava River via the Štefánik Bridge. From there, continue past the Convent of St. Agnes of Bohemia at Na Františku, through Řásnovka, Haštalské náměstí, Rybná Street and Jakubská Street to the Church of St. James the Greater in Old Town, where the Zittau route ends and connects to the Všeruby and Iron routes. www.ultreia.cz/zitavska-trasa Church of St. Wenceslas in Prosek | Author of the cover photograph: VitVit | Source: en.wikipedia.org