Prague is the capital of the Czech republic and lies in the middle of Bohemia. It cover an area of nearly 500sq
km and its population is about 1,200,000. Prague is divided into many boroughs. The historical centre is made
up by the Old Town, Josefov, the Lesser Quarter, Hradčany, the New Town and Vyšehrad. Together they make
a town preserve which is quite unique. On the other hand Prague is now surrounded by a ring of modern
housing estates serving as residential quarters.
A legend connects the founding of Prague with Princess Libuše of the Přemysl dynasty who prophesised the
future glory of Prague, which would “touch the stars”. The oldest settlements of this region dates 25,000 years
ago. In the latter half of the 10th century St. Vitus Rotunda, the Prince’s Palace and convert with a church were
built on Hradčany. Prague’s other castle – Vyšehrad – was built in the 11th century and for some time it was
the seat of Czech rulers.
Prague became the imperial residence of Charles IV (1346-1378). During reign of Charles IV there was founded
archbishopric (1344), Charles University (1348), the New Town with the Horse Market ( now Wenceslas Square
), the Cattle Market ( now Charles Square ) in Prague. Charles IV promoted the construction of other important
buildings such as St. Vitus Cathedral and the Charles Bridge.
In 1918 Prague became the capital of Czechoslovakia. Prague is the seat of our President, Czech government,
all important state ministries and the Czech Parliament.
Prague is also an important industrial and business centre and transport crossroad. It is the industrial centre of
engineering, food-industries, ready-made garment, chemical, polygraphic industries and tourism.
It is also a cultural centre of the republic and can offer many outstanding theatrical and musical performances (
e.g. the Prague Spring International Music Festival in May-June each year). We can find here the best theatres,
galleries and museums such as:
The National Museum at the top of Wenceslas Square.
The National Gallery which is spread out in various Prague spots: Gothic art in St. George Church at the Prague
Castle, Czech 19th century art in St. Agnes Monastery, sculpture collection in Zbraslav.
The National Theatre, built in late renaissance style from the public money collection of the people in the
second half of the19th century. Before its ceremonial opening in 1881 it was severely damaged by fire and was
rebuilt within the next two years. The best artists of the 19th century decorated the theatre ( M.Aleš, F.Ženíšek,
V.Hynais ).
Other important places of culture include the Smetana Theatre, the Palace of Culture, the Magic Latern, the
Lucerna Hall, the Tyl Theatre, The Vinohrady Thearte, the Semafor, the Viola, the Činoherní klub, Divadlo na
zábradlí and many new clubs for young people and young art e.g. Bunkr, Rock Café etc.
Many world known personalities lived or spent some time in Prague, e.g. Mozart, Beethoven, Einstein etc. And
many famous personalities visited Prague such as the Pope, George Busch Queen Elizabeth II. etc.
Prague is also important centre of sports. There are many stadiums, parks ( Letná, Stromovka, Kampa, Petřín)
and swimming pools. The biggest stadium is Strahov which was built by communists. In Prague there are many
sports clubs. The majority of Czech universities, colleges and student residences is in Prague.
The most visited tourist sights include:
The Prague Castle: It was founded 880 A.D. by the first Přemysl prince Bořivoj. Its greatest period was during
the reign of Charles IV. In 1344 the construction of the ST. Vitus Cathedral started. In the time of Rudolf II the
castel became a famous centre of science, arts and culture. Famous sights in Prague Castle include: St.Vitus
Cathedral, the Royal Palace with Vladislav Hall, Spanish Hall, the Golden Lane ( a legend connects it with Rudolf
II’s alchemists). The Prague Castle is surrounded by the Strahov Monastery and Petřín hill with its famous
watchtower.
Old Town Square – portions of Old Town Hall were hit by bombs in May 1945. The Astronomical Clock strikes
every 60 minutes and is controlled by a very complicated mechanism built in Middle Ages. In the upper part of
the horologe a procession of the Apostles can be seen every hour. The horologe is decorated by 12 outler
medallions representing the course of village life, painted by famous Czech painter J.Mánes. There are also 12
signs of the Zodiac. On the Old Town Square there is the monument of Master John Huss. Worthy of attention
in the square the gothic church of , a gothic tower house called At the Stone Bell and baroque St Nicholas
Church designed by K.I.Dienzenhofer.
Vyšehrad – formerly one of the Prague’s towns and originally the castle of the Přemysl in the latter half of the
11th century and first half of the 12th century. Nowdays we can visit the National Cemetery here with graves of
outstanding Czech personalities in cultural sphere, scientists and politics. The original Romanesque Church of
Saints Peter and Paul now has a neo-gothic appearance.
The Charles Bridge – commissioned by Charles IV in 1357 and built by famous Gothic architect Petr Parléř. On
both ends of the bridge there are Gothic Bridge Towers. It is the second oldest stone bridge in Central Europe.
It is 520 m long and 10 m wide. In the 18th century the bridge began decorated by baroque statues by Matyáš
Braun and Jan Brokoff. The bridge gradually became one of the lively centres of Prague life. During summer it is
always full of tourists, souvenir stalls and street artists.
The Powder Tower – a monument of the Czech late gothic period, stands at the end of Prague’s new
pedestrian zone called King’s Road.
The Carolinum - the oldest building of Charles University founded on 4th April 1348 as the first institution of
this kind in Central Europe.
The Clementinum – the second largest building in Prague ( after Prague Castle ), was built at the 17th century.
Now it serves as the largest branch of state library.
Wenceslas Square – the centre of the city. It is about 750 m long and 60 m wide. The statue of the Czech
patron – St.Wenceslas – made by J.V.Myslbek is a symbol of a free and independent republic. People usually
gather here in troublesome moments of Czech history.
The River Vltava ( which inspired Smetana to compose his unforgattable music ) flows through Prague and
surrounds 7 islands. About 18 bridges stretch over the river.
King’s road
The name of the King’s road comes from the times, when the way was used by the kings of Bohemia at their
coronation. It starts at the POWDER TOWER a monument of the Czech late gothic which was built during the
reign of Vladislav Jagellonský at the end of the 15th century. It was rebuilt in the 18th century by Matyáš
Rejsek.
Next to the Powder tower we can see the MUNICIPAL HOUSE. An example of the secession style of the
beginning of our century. In the 14th century it was the manor house of bohemian kings.
Passing through the Powder tower we enter CRLETNA STREET. In the 13th century the street was named
according special kind of bread which was baked there. There are a lot of houses in different styles. The most
interesting one is the cubist House at the Black God’s Mother. Some houses are decorated by signs which were
used instead of numbers.
Celetna street lead to the OLD TOWN SQUARE. An old intersection of trade roads and a market place which
became a square in the 12th century. Above the arcades of the Latin school with gables in Venetian
Renaissance style, raises one of the dominants of the square – spires of the TÝN CHURCH. It is a fine example of
gothic from the 14th century.
Another interesting architecture monument is the HOUSE AT THE STONE BELL. After removing the baroque
facade we can see the original gothic architecture from the 14th century. The biggest house in the square is the
KINSKÝ PALACE built in the rococo style. Our attention is also attracted by the baroque Church of the ST.
Nicholas built in the 18th century by Kilian Dienzenhofer.
But the most important building at the square is the OLD TOWN HALL dating back to the 14th century when Jan
Lucemburský allowed Old Town burgesses establish their own administration.
Behind the Old Town Square there is Little square with renaissance fountain.
Another interesting monument is the PALACE OF CLAM-GALLAS on the corner of the KARLOVA STREET. It leads
passed the Clementinum to the Charles Bridge.
The Clementinum was the jesuit collage founded in the 16th century. In the 17th century it became the seat of
the Charles University and now it is used as national library.
Before entering Charles Bridge we cross Little Square with two baroque churches of St.Frances and St.Salvator
which is a part of the Clementinum
Charles Bridge is guarded by three towers. The Old Town Tower is the oldest but the wall of the Lesser Town
Towers comes from the 12th century when there was a wooden bridge.
Mostecká street leads to the LESSER TOWN SQUARE. There is dominate the baroque church of St.Nicolas built
by father and son Dienzenhofer.
NERUDOVA STREET contains some of the fines Prague baroque houses and palaces. It was named after Jan
Neruda, famous Czech writer and poet who lived in the 19th century in the House of Two Suns. The Nerudova
street is the border between two part of Prague, Hradčany and Lesser Town. Before an entrance to the Castle
our sight is captured first by the panoramic view of Prague.