boast
heritage
hub
northwest
reign
hews a threshold
spires
was settled
established settlements
prophetess
was founded
on the downside
a famine
ford
flourished
CZECH REPUBLIC
1/ BASIC INFORMATION
Prague is the capital city of the Czech Republic. It is also its largest city. It is one of Europe’s
best cities, boasting a rich cultural and Bohemian heritage, and being a political and
economic hub of central Europe. Prague is located northwest of the Vltava river.
Prague is a Czech name. It comes from the Slavic word “práh” meaning “ford” or “rapid”
which refers to the city’s origin at the Vltava river. Its name is also connected to the legend of
Princess Libuše, who was a prophetess and who is believed to have given the order for the
city “to be built where a man hews a threshold of his house”.
Prague is nicknamed “City of a Hundred Spires” based on the count made by 19th century
mathematician Bernard Bolzano. Other nicknames of Prague include the Heart of Europe,
the Golden City, and the Mother of Cities.
2/ HISTORY
prehistory - middle ages
Prague was settled as early as the Paleolithic period.
It was around the 5th and 4th century BC when a Celt tribe
appeared in the region where Prague is now, established
settlements, and named the region Bohemia meaning “home
of the Boii people”. The construction of what now is identified
as the Prague Castle began near the end of the 9th century.
Prague became the capital of the Kingdom of Bohemia.
It was the main residence of the Czech kings.
reign of Charles IV
During the reign of Charles IV from 1346 to 1378, Prague flourished.
Charles IV ordered the construction of the New Town neighboring with the Old Town as he
himself laid out the design. This new design birthed the iconic Charles Bridge of Prague.
In 1348 Charles University was founded, which is the oldest university in Central Europe.
He also began the construction of St. Vitus Cathedra. On the downside, poor people
increased in number. By the 1360s, a famine had started to spread in the city, which led
Charles IV to order the construction of the Hunger Wall, a fortification wall south of Mala
Strana, in order to employ workers and to help their families.
4/ ATTRACTIONS AND LANDMARKS
The Vltava River that runs through Prague is the longest river in the Czech Republic.
The Astronomical Clock which is the world’s third-oldest astronomical clock is one of
Prague’s most popular sights. It is located in front of the Old Town Hall.
Prague Castle is the biggest ancient castle in the whole world. In the Mala Strana quarter,
there is a wall with an image to commemorate John Lennon after his murder in 1980.
Prague’s tallest tower is the TV Tower, which stands 216 meters tall.