PRAGUE

Prague is the capital of the Czech Republic and lies in the middle of Bohemia. It covers an area of nearly 500 sq kms and its population is about 1,300,000. Prague is divided into many boroughs. The historical centre is made up by the Old town, Josefov, the Lesser Quarter, Hradčeny, 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 Přemyslid dynasty who prophesied the future glory of Prague, which "would touch the stars". The oldest settlement of this region dates back 25,000 years. In the latter half of the 10th century St. Vitus Rotunda, the Prince s Palace and a convent 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. During his reign an archbishopric, Charles University, the New Town with the Horse Market and the Cattle Market were founded. He also promoted the construction of other important buildings such as St. Vitus Cathedral and the Charles Bridge.

In 1918 Prague became the capital of Czechoslovakia. In 1939 Prague was occupied by German troops and in 1942 strongly persecuted after the assassination of the Nazi deputy protector Heydrich. In May 1945 the Prague Uprising against the fascists culminated. Barricades were built in the streets and people resisted the attacks until 9th May when Prague was liberated by the Russians. On August 21, 1968 Prague was occupied (as well as the rest of the country) by the Warsaw Pact troops in order to stop democratic reform in the country, which had been taking place since Spring. After 40 years of totalitarian depression, on November 17, 1989 "the Velvet Revolution" started in Prague on Národní Street and huge demonstrations of up to a quarter million people woke up the whole nation.

Prague is the seat of our President, the Czech government, all important state ministries and the Czech Parliament.

It is also an important industrial and business centre and transport crossroad. And it is the industrial centre for engineering, food industries, ready-made garment, chemical, polygraphic industries, tourism etc.

Prague is a cultural centre of the republic and can offer many outstanding theatrical and musical performances. We find the theatres, galleries and museums here, such as:

the National Museum at the top of Wenceslas Square. You can find here the collections of animals, minerals, insects, sometimes exhibitions take place here.

the National Gallery which is spread out in various Prague spots: Gothic art in St. George Church at the Prague Castle, world art and French paintings of 19th and 20th centuries in Šternberk Palace on 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 the 19th 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 such as M. Aleš, F. Zeníšek, V. Hynais decorated the theatre. Here are mainly played the operas by Czech national composers like Smetana s Two Widows or The Bartered Bride and Dovřák s Waternymf.

Other important places of culture include the Smetana Theatre, the Palace of Culture, the Magic Lantern, the Reduta, the Lucerna Hall, the Tyl Theatre, the Vinohrady Theatre, the Semafor and many new clubs for young people and young art.

The most visited tourist sights include:

The Prague Castle - it was founded after 880 by the first Přemyslid Prince Bořivoj. Its greatest period was during the reign of Charles IV. In 1344 the construction of the St. Vitus Cathedral started. During the reign of Rudolf II the Castle became a famous centre of arts and culture. Famous sights in the 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 view-tower.

Old Town Square - portion 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 the Middle Ages by Master Hanuš. In the upper part of the horologe a procession of the Apostles can be seen every hour. The horologe is decorated by 12 outer medallions representing the course of village life, painted by famous Czech painter Josef Mánes. There are also 12 signs of the Zodiac. Besides the Old Town Hall with this horologe we can find on Old Town Square also the monument to Master John Huss. Worthy of attention in the square is the gothic church of Our Lady Before Týn, a gothic tower house called At the Bell and the baroque St. Nicholas Church designed by K. I. Diezenhofer.

Vyšehrad - formerly one of the Prague s towns and originally the castle of the Přemyslid in the latter half of the 11th century and the first half of the 12th century. Nowadays we can visit the National Cemetery here with the graves of outstanding personalities in the sphere of culture, science 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 a famous Gothic architect Petr Parléř. On both ends of the bridge there are Gothic Bridge Towers. It is the second oldest bridge in Central Europe. In the 18th century the bridge began to be 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 7th April 1348 as the first institution of this kind in Central Europe.

The Clementinum - the second largest building in Prague after the Prague Castle. It was built at the end of the 17th century. Now it serves as the largest branch of the 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 Vltava River flows through Prague and surrounds 7 islands. About 18 bridges stretch over the river.