Prague

Prague is the capital of the Czech Republic and one of the most beautiful cities in Europe. The city is incredibly popular with tourists who go to admire its unique architecture, learn about Czech culture and traditions, taste delicious local cuisine and, of course, drink the famous beer.

The city is located in the northwestern part of Bohemia, almost in the center of the historical region of Bohemia, and is divided into two by the Vltava River. The landscape around the city is hilly – it lies on nine hills with small drops in elevation and picturesque panoramas. The Vltava River on the territory of Prague is 31 km long and 330 m wide at its widest point. The peculiarity of the river in Prague is that it forms many islands and bends with romantic corners, which will not leave anyone indifferent.

Along with Athens, Rome, Paris and London, Prague is one of the oldest metropolitan cities in Europe. Historically this city was located at the crossroads of the most important trade routes – amber and salt. Its old center with an area of 866 hectares was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1992 because of the great number of perfectly preserved historical monuments of different styles – from Romanesque to Gothic, from Baroque to Renaissance, from Classicism to Modern, Secession and Cubism. There are many palaces and castles, bridges, towers, mansions, etc. With all this diversity, Prague appears as a harmonious whole – a work of architectural art.

Over the centuries, Prague has been called the “Golden Prague”, the “Pearl of Cities”, the “Stone Dream”, the “Lordship of Bohemia” and the “Heart of Europe”. It was admired by famous musicians, writers and artists: such outstanding personalities as Mozart, Beethoven, Rodin, Tchaikovsky, Kafka and many others lived and worked here.

Prague is one of nine European cities bearing the honorary title of European Capital of Culture. It has earned this title thanks to its many museums and galleries with unique collections, several dozen theater stages and concert halls, which host the touring stars of world magnificence.

Today Prague is a dynamic, modern city – with trendy stores, fashionable hotels, well-developed public transport and a large number of cultural events throughout the year. Read about it all in our guide to Prague.

For tourists, Prague is attractive because it is convenient to travel throughout the Czech Republic. The city is also a must-see for anyone planning a big trip to Central or Eastern Europe.

Whatever tourists choose in Prague – cozy walks through the ancient streets, visiting museums and galleries, exploring architecture, culinary arts or just a beer tour – the city will welcome them with all the hospitality all year round: the Czech capital is beautiful in any season.

It is believed that every self-respecting tourist must visit Prague, and he who went once, usually dreams to return. And we agree – it’s impossible not to fall in love with Prague!

History
The first settlements on the site of modern Prague date back to the VI century. The oldest part of the city is Prague Castle, located on the left bank of the Vltava River – it began to be built in the VIII century, and in the X century, Prague became the capital of the Czech state.

Medieval Prague
In the 10th century, the second castle – Vysehrad – was built on the right bank of the Vltava River. That is how the area of the future city was marked out. In the valley between the two “cities” and along the river villages arose: in the 10th century – Staré Mesto, in the 12th century – Malá Strana, founded by German merchants, and in the 14th century – Hradčany and Nové Mesto. All these trading settlements had an independent municipal status and until the 18th century they were not a single city – Prague. Trade in those times was carried out by means of the crossing, located on the site of today’s Charles Bridge. The fortification walls around the stone buildings appeared in the XIII century.

Since X century Prague was under the rule of the Holy Roman Empire. In the mid 14th century, when Emperor Charles IV decided to move the capital to Prague, the city began to be rebuilt, which, however, did not disturb the isolation of its various parts. Actually, it was Charles IV who preserved the appearance of Prague to this day, and most of the emblematic sights: Charles Bridge, the castle, St. Vitus Cathedral and the university – one of the oldest in Europe.

Bohemia and the Hussites
At the University in Prague in the early 15th century the famous theologian and priest Jan Hus worked, calling for the reformation of the Catholic Church. In 1415, Huss was burned at the stake for these sermons, but his ideas became so popular in Bohemia that they provoked fifteen years of Hussite wars between his followers and supporters of the pope. In the end, the Hussites were defeated, their ideas were not destined to be realized, but Bohemia allowed itself some religious liberties for another two hundred years.

At about the same time, namely in 1419, Prague held its first defenestration, an act that became traditional in the city: unwanted political opponents were dealt with by throwing them out of windows. The first victim was the mayor who did not support the Hussites. Almost two hundred years later, in 1618, Protestants did the same to the regents who imposed Catholicism, which marked the beginning of the Thirty Years’ War.

In the sixteenth century, Prague lived relatively peacefully, despite the fact that Hussite ideas had taken the form of an independent Protestant religion through the efforts of Martin Luther. But Catholics and Protestants lived in peace, which was actively promoted by Emperor Rudolph II, whose residence was Prague for almost forty years. After his death the two confessions again quarreled and fought for 30 years: the Protestants lost that war.

The capital of the empire gradually moved to Vienna, and Prague experienced some decline, which was replaced by active economic growth only in the XVIII century. In 1784, the scattered settlements of Hradčany, Malá Strana, Staré, and Nové Mesto were united and a single city of Prague appeared on the maps. The surrounding, newer towns, such as Žižkov and Vinohrady, became part of Prague only in the 20th century. Thus, the history of Prague before 1784 is the history of the individual cities that are today its quarters.

New time and modernity
As a part of Austria-Hungary at the beginning of World War I, Prague was the third most important city in Europe after Vienna and Budapest. In 1919, the city became the capital of the new Czechoslovakia, which was occupied by Germany in 1939. The liberation of Prague from the German invaders in May 1945 was the final episode on the western front of World War II.

Since 1948 and for 40 years Czechoslovakia was a communist state. An attempt to overthrow this system occurred in 1968, but was suppressed, but succeeded the next time with the Velvet Revolution of 1989. In 1993 Czechoslovakia was divided into two parts – Czech Republic and Slovakia, and Prague remained the capital of the Czech Republic.

In this century, Prague is actively developing tourism, thousands of travelers from all over the world tend to see this city. The picturesque streets and historic squares, unique architecture, rich history and excellent Czech beer, Franz Kafka and brave soldier Schweik, who became the symbols of Prague, – all this contributes to the enduring tourist attraction of the Czech capital.