PRAGUE

Basic information:

Prague is the capital of the CR, the biggest, oldest and the most important city in the country. Prague has a population about one million. Prague is situated along both banks of the Vltava River and covering an area about 500 km sq. Prague lies in the middle of Bohemia, in the centre of Europe. It is political centre, there are seats of the president, government, ministries and parliament. Our president is Václav Klaus, who is elected for 4 years. Our prime minister is Jiří Paroubek.

History:

The city’s origin dates back to the 9 ^th century. Prague was founded by Princess Libuše of Premyslid dynasty. Charles IV. founded Charles University in 1348, Charles Bridge and many sights. In 1918 Prague became the capital city of Czechoslovakia. In 1939 Prague was occupated by German military. In 1968 it was occupated by Russian military. In  1989 was Velvet Revolution. In 1993 Prague became the capital city of Czech republic.

• Modern Prague is the political, administative, financial and commercial centre of the Czech Republic. It is also an industrial city, producing good ranging from machinery to foodstaffs.
• There are many theatres, rock clubs, cinemas, restaurants, pubs, museums, railway stations, bus stations, factories, companies etc.

Architecture:

Prague’s architecture features examples of all major styles of architecture, from early Romanesque to Gothic and Baroque. The old centre of Prague consists of five historical districts. The Old Town, The New Town and Josefov (Jewish ghetto) are on the eastern bank of the Vltava River. On the western bank are the Lesser Quarter and Hradčany, which surround Prague Castle.

• Prague Castle: probably the city’s best known sight, is over a thousand years old. It was founded in the 9^th Once the seat of kings, it is still the official residence of the president of the Republic. Prague Castle include: St. Vitus, the Royal Palace with Vladislav Hall, Spanish Hall, the Golden Lane. There is too Daliborka and St. George Basilika.
• Vitus Cathedral was built in French Gothic style. Its construction began in 1344 by order of emperor Charles IV. Its interior has stained – glass windows, frescoes and elaborate tombstones including that of St. Wenceslas, patron saint of the Czech lands. The Bohemian crown jewels are kept in a chamber in the cathedral.
• Vladislav Hall is still used for official ceremonies.
• The Golden Lane from 16^th century, is a tradesmans quarter of tiny houses built into the castle walls.
• Beneath Prague Castle lies Little Quarter, a picturesque district of Prague with Baroque palaces and gardens built in the 17^th and 18^th The Little Quarter is connected to the city centre by the famous Charles Bridge
• Charles Bridge from the 14^th century, It is second oldest bridge in Central Europel. It has Gothic structure lined with Baroque statues. Charles Bridge was established in 1357. On both ends of the bridge are Gothic Bridge Tower. In the 18^th century it was decorated by baroque statues made by Matyáš Braun and Jan Brokoff.
• The Old Town Square, the main attraction is the asronomical clock in The Old Town Hall. On the square are two churches, the Gothic Týn Church and the Baroque St. Nicholas Church.
• Wenceslas Square is not far form Old Town Square. In the upper part of the square stays an equestrian statue of St. Wenceslas. The statue was made by J. V. Myslbek and it’s a symbol of a free and independent republic. It is the longest square in our state, it is 750 metres On the top of this square is the National Museum.
• Vyšehrad Citadel – was originally the castle of Přemyslid
• Slavín Cemetery, is a place where many personalities are buried
• Petřín – it is near from Prague Castle and there are many mirror labyrinths.

Culture:

• In Prague, there are many theatres, for example Smetana Theatre, Magic Latern, the Reduta Hall, the Lucerna Hall, the Tyl Theatre, the Vinohrady Theatre, Divadlo na Zábradlí and National Theatre.

• National Theatre: after opening in 1881 it was damaged by fire and rebuilt in the next two years. The best artists as M. Aleš, F. Ženíšek and V. Hynais decorated the theatre.
• Many world known personalities live or spent some time in Prague, for example: Mozart, Beethoven, Descartes, Paganini, Kafka etc.

Traffic:

In Prague there is modern underground. The Prague Metro network consists of 3 lines, designated by letters and differentiated in colors: A – line is green, B – line is yellow and C – line is red. Underground is the fastest means of transport. Prague’s transport create – buses, cars, tram, trolleys or underground.