Prague (2)
Prague is the Capital of the Czech Republic. It is situated in central Bohemia on the Vltava River. It has about 1.200.000 inhabitants. It is the centre of government, economics and culture.
History
Prague was founded in the 6th century by Slavs. This foundation is connected with Princess Libuše. In the 10th century Vyšehrad castle was built and it became the residence of Přemyslid dynasty. . In the 14th century Prague became the imperial residence of Charles IV. He founded the New Town and Charles University, which is the oldest university in the middle Europe and built the Charles Bridge. It is the second oldest bridge in our country. In the 15th century Prague was the centre of the Hussite movement. In the 16th century was Prague the seat of Rudolph II, who invited artists and scientists there.
Sightseeing
Prague Castle
It is the most famous building in Prague. It was founded by prince Borivoj in the 9th century. Now it is the seat of a president. The whole complex of the castle includes Vladislav Hall, Spanish Hall and Rudolf Gallery. In the gardens is also Singing Fountain.
Saint Vitus Catedral
It is next to the Prague Castle. Inside are the coronation jewels and the Royal Crypt with sarcophaguses of Czech kings and queens. Plans were made by Matyas from Arras and the gothic building was found in 1344 by Jan Lucembursky. The building was finished in 1929.
Charles Bridge
It is the oldest bridge over the Vltava river. It was build by Petr Parléř in 14th century and it is named by Charles IV. It is 520 m long and 10 m wide. There are two towers at both ends of the bridge- the Lesser Town Bridge Tower and the Old Town Bridge Tower. There are 30 statues of saints.
National Theatre
It was built in new renaissance style. It is comples for three artistic files- opera, drama and ballet. The first play was Libuse from Bedrich Smetana in 1881 but the same year the theatre burned. In 1883 was the theatre opened again because czech people helped with money for zhe building.
National Museum
It is the biggest and the oldest museum in the Czech Republic. We can find it in the upper end of Wenceslas square. It is a Neo- renaissance building and the architect was Josef Schulz. The museum contains parts from nature and history.
Powder Tower
It was built in 1475 in Gothic style in the edge of Old Town. It is one of the 13 original Prague’s gates. The 65 m tall Powder Tower was built as way to the Royal Route which leads through the Old Town over the Charles Bridge to the castle up the hill. In 1990 was Tower renovated.
Petrin Observation Tower
It is on the Petrin Hill, which is situated by the Castle. It is a free copy od the Eiffel Tower. There is also a labyrinth and the hill is the highest in the centre of Prague. It affords a magnificent view of the Prague.
Wenceslas Square
The centre of Prague with the National Museum in the upper end and bronze statue of Saint Wenceslas made by J. V. Myslbek. It’s favourite place for tourists and everything is expensive.
Old Town Square
In the middle of square there is a statue of John Huss, completed in 1915. He preached in Bethelem Chapel near the square. There is an Old Town Hall.
Old Town Hall
It was founded in 1338. There are the Astronomical clock from the beggining of the 15th century. Every hour you can see twelve Apostoles. In the lower part are 12 medaillons with the sign of zodiac, created by Josef Manes.
Living in Prague: advantages and disadvantages
In the Capital, you have more possibilities to find a job and you will probably earn more money than in a small town. On the other hand, life in Prague is hasty, and the cost of living is higher there.
Living in the centre of Prague is expensive. Nowadays, lots of young families buy houses in „satellite towns“ near Prague, but they sometimes have problems: there are no schools, no shops, no public transport.
Prague is a cosmopolitan city, so you can meet people from all over the world.
Transport in Prague
– public transport: you can use trams, city buses, the underground and funicular railway. The transport system covers both the city and its outskirts.
You can buy
-a single ticket (only for one type of transportation: e.g. only for tram, only for the underground, and it is only for short rides)
– a transfer ticket (you can change from tram to the underground, or to bus) – it is for long rides
– or you can buy passes: a pass for one day, for more days, a month or even the whole year
– there are two big railway stations: The Masaryk Station and the Wilson Station (the main station) which is set in a beautiful Art Nouveau building
– there is an airport in Ruzyně
Culture in Prague
– The National Theatre: it was built in the 19th century. People collected money for it. Inside it was decorated by the best artists, for example Mikoláš Aleš. You can visit ballet performances, opera or drama.
– there are lots of other theatres: Tyl Theatre, Vinohrady, Lucerna Hall, the music theatre in Karlín (classical musicals are played there), Broadway (modern musicals)
– State Opera
– National Gallery – at the Prague Castle; it is spread out in more buildings
– National Museum – with mineral, archeological and zoological collections