Prague

Prague (Czech. Praha)- the capital and largest city of the Czech Republic, located in the north-western part of the country, on the Vltava River, is 496 km sq. The city is inhabited by 1.2 million people (1.9 million metropolis).

Prague is the most popular among tourists city in Central Europe, by many considered to be the most beautiful city of the old continent, is also in the top six most visited cities in Europe. Every year the city is visited more than 4 million people. The large popularity of the city is primarily due to a very small amount of devastation after World War II, the low cost of stay compared to Western European cities, also has a very good flight and train connections from all major cities of the region.

Prague is an administrative, industrial, commercial and service, academic, tourist and cultural center of international importance. It is the seat of most Czech central offices (including the parliament, president and government), religious associations operating in the Czech Republic, as well as numerous companies, associations, organisations and universities. Is the most important in the country by road and rail junction, also it has an international airport and subway network.

According to tradition, the original name of the Czech city of Prague comes from the Czech word práh - doorstep and is associated with a princess Libushe. The etymology of the name of a city built on the doorstep or weir - ferry the river comes from the historical name of the crossing of the Vltava river in the area of today's Charles Bridge.

The city has to offer dozens of museums and galleries, from which everyone can choose something for themselves. The biggest museums are the National Museum, Jewish Museum (it consists of objects in the district Josevov) and museums Prague Castle.

Visiting the city is quite simple, most of the monuments, museums and attractions is located near the center, in the districts of Old Town, Mala Strana, Josevov, Hradczan, New Town. Quick movement between them facilitates efficient urban transport system, which includes 3 metro lines, buses and trams.

The first inhabitants of areas on the Vltava River, were resettling here from approx. 500 years BC, Celtic tribes. They were gradually displaced by inflowing between ninth and sixth centuries BC Germanic people or Marcomanni. The first Slavic tribes arrived in the area approx. 500 years. Struggle for dominance resulted in approx. 800 years to power Přemyslid dynasty, who founded a city. They built two fortified settlements: Prague Castle and Vysehrad. From 973 years Prague was the seat of the first bishopric in these areas, subordinate to the metropolis of Mainz. Special evolution city reached during the reign of Charles IV. Here he founded the first university in Central Europe - Carolinum. Prague after the founding of the New Town in 1348, became the largest city in Europe north of the Alps. In 1344, the Prague bishopric was raised in the church hierarchy to the rank of archbishopric. In 1419 in the city there was a famous Catholics (Hussite Wars), and in 1618 a similar event (thrown out the window deputy of Emperor) was the direct cause of the Thirty Years War. As a result of the defeat of Czech Protestants on the White Mountain in 1620 in Prague as the capital of the Kingdom of Bohemia and the whole Czech crown he lost its importance and for many years remained in the shadow of Vienna. At that time German-speaking community has played a dominant role in the city, it began to change only in the nineteenth century, during the Czech National Revival.

Prague was founded in 1784. with the merger of five previously independent but interrelated organisms whose origins date back to the Middle Ages: the Old Town, New Town, Josefov, Mala Strana and Prague Castle.

At the end of the nineteenth century it was built many representative buildings; followed by a slow recovery of significant city in the Habsburg monarchy. At that time, Prague was already bilingual, Czechs and Germans functioned virtually in parallel. At the turn of the century as part of the Prague it made total reconstruction Josefova and Podskalí, destroying many valuable historical objects.

In 1918, Prague became the capital of newly formed Czechoslovakia. In the years 1939-1945 occupied by the Third Reich, released in 1945. In 1968, he was the main arena of the Prague Spring. In 1993, after the split of Czechoslovakia, the city became the capital of the Czech Republic. The current motto of Prague to Prague Caput Rei Publicae (previously 1927: Prague caput regni, and in the years 1927-1991 Prague mater urbium - Praha mother měst).

In 1992. The historic center of Prague has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Prague is considered one of the most attractive cities in Europe, therefore annually visited by numerous tourists. The town has more than 20 museums and almost 100 galleries. Some of the tourist attractions are:


    Hradcany castle and the Gothic cathedral of St. Vitus, St. Wenceslas and St. Wojciech (St. Adalbert);

    Golden Lane;

    Malá Strana - full of churches, palaces and gardens and picturesque streets;

    the baroque church. Nicholas from the eighteenth century on Malostranské náměstí;

    Loreta;

    The Old Town on the right bank of the Vltava river;

    Old Town Hall (XIV century) with the famous Astronomical Clock Astronomical Clock on Old Town Square;

    Tynsky Chrám - Church of Our Lady before Tyn, once the center of Hussitism;

    Town Hall, New Town (XV century);

    various places related to Franz Kafka;

    Charles Bridge;

    Lennon Wall;

    Jewish quarter Josefov;

    Hill Visegrad;

    Petrin Hill;

    Prague metronome;

    Municipal House;

    TV tower with a viewing platform in the Zizkov district;

    National Gallery of European Art (collections of European painting);

    National Gallery in Prague;

    numerous historic pubs for example. U Fleků, U Kocoura or U sv. TOMAS;

    "Dancing House" on the Vltava river;

    Prague National Theatre;

    Strahov Stadium;

    Synagogue of Prague;

    Zoo;

    botanical gardens;

    Powder;

    Main station;

    Masaryk Station.