IN last years Prague has established itself as most popular among tourists in the cities of Central and Eastern Europe. The Russians are no exception.

Those who have not yet been lucky enough to visit this beautiful city will be interested to know where Prague is located, its history and features of the urban structure.

Prague on the world map, Europe and the Czech Republic

Prague, like the rest of the world, is located in Europe. Previously, most geographers classified the Czech Republic as Eastern Europe, however, in recent years it has become believed that the country and city are located in Central Europe.

What country is it currently the capital of?

Prague was the capital of Czechoslovakia for most of the 20th century. After the breakup single state, located in the Czech part of the country Prague became capital of the Czech Republic.

Prague is located in the center of the European continent on both banks of the Vltava River.

Geographical coordinates- 50 degrees north latitude and 14 degrees east longitude. The city is located in the center of the historical region of Bohemia, which includes the entire western part of the modern Czech Republic.

Timezone

Prague time zone - UTC+1, in the summer due to the clock change changing to UTC+2. Time difference with Moscow is:

• one hour in summer;
• two hours in winter.

Will help you understand how to properly apply for a visa to the Czech Republic.

Information about the “stone” city

Prague is one of oldest cities founded by the Slavs. Of the large cities, only Kiev is considered older than Prague, however, this information is also semi-legendary.

Story

Despite the fact that the sites of ancient man on the site of Prague are at least 6 thousand years, it is believed that the first Slavic settlement was erected here around the beginning of the 7th century AD. e.

For the first time, Prague was mentioned as a city only at the beginning of the 9th century in the Frankish source “Description of Cities and Regions North of the Danube.”

The favorable location in the center of the settlement of the Czech tribe allowed Prague to quickly become the capital of the ever-growing Czech state, which absorbed not only Bohemia (Western Bohemia), but then Moravia (East Bohemia). It was built in the 9th century Prague Castle, and a century later - Visegrad.

Prague Castle was the residence of Czech princes and then kings for centuries, and Vysehrad performed these functions in the 14th century, when Prague became capital of the Holy Roman Empire.

The powerful Czech kingdom was severely crippled by the Hussite Wars of the 15th century and the Thirty Years' War of the 17th century, which resulted in the country losing its independence and Prague being deprived of its capital functions. The city became a possession Habsburgs and gradually, like all of Bohemia and the Czech Republic as a whole, it became part of the Austrian Empire, in which Prague was one of the most developed cities along with Vienna.

However, at this time the main population of Prague were Germans and Jews, for example, the famous Franz Kafka. With the gradual resettlement of Czechs to the city, it again became Czech, and after the collapse of Austria-Hungary and the formation of Czechoslovakia, Prague regained its capital status. Now Prague is one of the most beautiful cities and cultural heritage of the whole world.

General information

Prague is big enough for foreign Europe city ​​with population about 1 million 250 thousand inhabitants. At the same time, about 6 million people visit Prague every year, so in high season the number of people on the streets noticeably exceeds the number of permanent residents.

The overwhelming number of local residents are Czechs, so the main language is also Czech. However, this does not mean that local residents do not know other languages; the following are common here: languages:

1. English;
2. German;
3. Russian.

City area- almost 500 km², it extends as much as possible from west to east - 26 km, from south to north - 22 km.

Like many others, Prague once consisted of individual cities, later united. Many historical quarters such as Vysehrad, Stare Mesto, Nove Mesto used to be independent and even at odds with each other.

The coordination and top management of Prague is carried out by magistrate headed by primator. The magistrate is responsible for the work of the citywide economy: public transport, police, fire department, maintenance of cultural and historical monuments.

Most of the powers in the city are held by lower-level municipalities.

Counties and districts

The modern administrative division of Prague is based not on historical quarters, but on modern zoning. Now the city is divided into 22 governed districts, in turn divided into 57 self-governing districts (urban parts).

The primary division cell is self-governing unit, united into districts for the convenience of providing municipal services (issuing passports, licenses, etc.). Urban self-governing units are responsible for social work, cultural and sports competitions, sale and management of municipal property, etc.

If the districts and urban parts are not distinguished by the sophistication of their names (for the most part they are called Prague 1, Prague 2, etc.), then the division into cadastral territories is more appropriate historical traditions. Cadastral territories bear the traditional names of old quarters, towns and towns that became part of the city.

The names of cadastral territories are much more often used in the everyday life of Prague residents than the dry names of districts and urban parts.

Climate

The climate of Prague differs little from other places in Central Europe and the Czech Republic itself. It is characterized by mild “European” winter with average temperature the coldest month of January is –1.5°C and the warmest month of July is +18.2°C.

So there is almost never an excessively hot summer or extreme cold here. But due to the activity of the Atlantic, it often happens in Prague cloudy, and in the summer it often rains. The average annual precipitation reaches 500 mm.

Trip to the capital of the Czech Republic

Due to the fact that Prague is traditionally considered a tourist city, especially popular among Russian tourists, getting to the Czech capital from Moscow and other cities of the Russian Federation is usually not difficult, even despite the fact that the distance from Moscow to Prague is almost 2 thousand km.

How to get there?

Russians planning a trip to Prague have a choice of several ways to get to the city:

You can find a suitable plane ticket using this search form. Enter cities of departure and arrival, date And number of passengers.

Route from the airport to the center

Airport named after Václav Havel is located less than 20 km from the city limits. Getting to Prague from the airport terminal can be done in several ways:

1. by taxi- travel time 20–25 minutes, cost - about 400–600 Czech crowns (approximately 1050-1580 rubles);
2. by express bus connecting the airport and the railway station;

The express bus schedule to Prague is every half hour, travel time is about 35 minutes.

3. by bus No. 100, No. 119, No. 191 and No. 510 (night), each bus route runs at intervals of 7–30 minutes, travel time is from 15 to 45 minutes, depending on the final stop.

More interesting information about Prague in the next video:

Princes, kings, emperors, famous magicians and beautiful ladies are real characters in the history of Prague. Even the very origin of Prague is shrouded in legends. It is considered more or less reliable that at the end of the 9th century. built by a prince from the Slavic tribe of Czechs and the Přemyslid family. Until 1306, when King Wenceslas III was assassinated, this dynasty ruled the Czech Republic.
Wenceslas's sister, Princess Eliska, had to flee Prague Castle in disguise in order to marry John of Luxembourg in 1310, who became the Czech king in 1311. Jan received the nickname “foreign king” in the Czech Republic, because during the 20 years of his reign he spent barely a year in the country. But the rest of Europe knew this hero-knight, who took part in many tournaments and battles. Already blind, Jan died in the Battle of Crecy (1346), ordering his squires to put him on a horse, give him a spear in his hand and point it towards the enemy army. Although the heroic lifestyle of the king greatly glorified the Czech Republic, the country almost went bankrupt under him.
But Jan became the father of the most beloved and famous Czech king, Charles, who was named Wenceslas at birth (1316-1378). Charles began to rule the Czech Republic in 1341, when his father became completely blind, and was enthroned in 1347 as Charles I.
In 1355, already under the name of Charles IV, the Czech king was crowned in Rome as Holy Roman Emperor. At the same time, Charles made Prague the capital of the empire. This monarch clearly cared more about the Czech kingdom than about the empire. Italian masters came to Prague and literally transformed the city. It was under Charles IV that rapid construction began - the stone Prague Castle, St. Vitus Cathedral, Charles Bridge - the legacy of this “golden age”. At the same time, the University of Prague was opened - the first in Central Europe.
The new “golden age” for Prague is associated with Emperor Rudolf II of Habsburg (1522-1612), who in 1583 moved the seat of the court from Vienna to Prague. This emperor, who was fond of astronomy and occult sciences, made Prague one of the cultural centers of Europe, inviting famous artists, architects and scientists to his court. At the same time, the term “Rudolfin art” arose, which is considered the predecessor of Baroque.
In the 20th century Prague had to endure fascist occupation from May 15, 1939 until May 9, 1945, when the Red Army liberated the city, which rebelled against the Nazis on May 5. Prague becomes the capital of socialist Czechoslovakia.
From January 5 to August 20, 1968, events called the Prague Spring took place in Prague. The country's leadership, led by Alexander Dubcek, announced the creation of “socialism with a human face” and advocated the democratization of public life. The Prague Spring ended with the introduction of troops from the Warsaw Pact countries into the country. 72 people died then.
The “Velvet Revolution,” which overthrew the communist regime in the fall of 1989, did not result in human casualties. After the division of the country into the Czech Republic and Slovakia, Prague became the capital of the Czech Republic on January 1, 1993.

Capital of the Czech Republic

The Vltava River flows through the capital of the Czech Republic - Prague. Its length within the city limits is about 30 km, reaching a width of 300 m at its widest part. The cities that today have become part of Prague developed over centuries on both banks of the Vltava.
In Prague, each architectural style takes on a unique local flavor.

An architectural pearl of Europe, Prague surprises with the abundance of buildings in the Gothic style. In fact, most of the Prague Gothic, founded or built in the 14th century, subsequently underwent considerable changes. But apparently, the architects thought that Gothic style suited the city very well, and therefore, while modifying this style, they preserved it and even multiplied it.
One can only marvel at the talent and tenacity of the Czech craftsmen who built one of the main attractions of Prague and the Czech Republic, St. Vitus Cathedral. This amazing building (124 m in height!) was created over almost 600 years - from 1344 to 1929. In the cathedral, founded under Charles of Luxembourg (by 1344, who actually ruled the country), some of the stained glass windows in the 20th century. created by the famous Czech artist Alphonse Mucha. Today, the cathedral, which was returned to the Catholic Church in 2006, hosts the country's main religious services; many rulers of the Czech Republic are buried here and coronation regalia are kept. And if you climb 300 stone steps, then from the observation deck of the cathedral you can enjoy a beautiful view of Prague from Hradcany Square.
Golden Street in Prague Castle with two-story houses built into the arches of the former fortress wall, as if it came unchanged from the Middle Ages. One of the legends about its name is that alchemists lived here, who were supposed to discover a recipe for making gold.
The Vltava flows gracefully through Prague. The river runs right through the middle of the city. On its right bank there are Nove Mesto, Vysehrad, Josefov, on the left - Prague Castle, Hradcany and Mala Strana. These once independent cities officially united in 1784.
Until 1842, the Charles Bridge was the only bridge connecting the banks of the Vltava. The construction of this magnificent Gothic structure began in 1357, on July 9, at 5:31 am. Such an incomprehensible accuracy of the information that has reached us six centuries later is explained by the fact that this date was adopted on the advice of astrologers. The bridge, 515 m long and 10 m wide, was built over 100 years, and its construction is shrouded in legends. However, almost all historical buildings in Prague have their own legends.
At the end of the 17th - beginning of the 18th century. the bridge is decorated with statues of Catholic saints. True, most of the sculptures are now kept in the Lapidary of the National Museum, and there are copies of them on the bridge. The bronze sculpture of St. John of Nepomuk, standing next to the place where the saint was thrown into the water, is the most popular among tourists. According to legend, John of Nepomuk (1350-1393) died because he refused to tell the king the secret of his wife’s confession.
A feature of the architectural appearance of Prague has become eclecticism - a combination of features of different styles in one building. Thus, in Gothic cathedrals one can discern features of Baroque and Rococo, and even Prague managed to introduce lines of Art Nouveau into strict Cubism. To seriously get to know even the main attractions of Prague, you need to stay here for a long time. It is not for nothing that UNESCO included the entire 5 central historical districts of the city among the world cultural heritage sites, as an architectural and historical reserve (1993).

general information

Capital of the Czech Republic, until January 1, 1993 - the capital of the Czechoslovak Socialist Republic (Czechoslovak Socialist Republic).

Administrative division: administrative center of the Central Bohemian Region and two of its districts - Prague-East and Prague-West (not included in the region or in the districts); divided into 22 administrative districts.
Language: Czech (state), Slovak, German, Russian and English are also common.

Religion: according to the 2001 census, 67% of residents are atheists, 8% are undecided. Of the believers, about 70% are Catholics.

Currency unit: Czech crown.

International Airport: Ruzine.

Numbers

Area: 496 km2.

Population: 1,222,000 people (2008).
Population density: 2463.7 people/km 2 .

Economy

GDP per capita in Prague is twice the average for the Czech Republic. 21% of the national GDP is produced here. 60% of the city's total income comes from the tourism business.

Also developed: metallurgy, mechanical engineering, automotive industry; printing, chemical, textile, clothing and food industries.

Climate and weather

Moderate continental: mild winters and mostly sunny summers.

Average temperatures: in January: -1.7ºС, in July: + 18.3ºС.

Attractions

■ Prague Castle: St. Vitus Cathedral, Old Royal Palace, Golden Street;
■ Mala Strana Historic District: Small sharp tower, Liechtenstein Palace, St. Nicholas Church;
■ The Charles Bridge;
■ Stare Mesto: Church of the Virgin Mary before Tyn, Charles University, Old Town Hall;
■ Josefov: Jewish Town Hall, synagogues, Old Jewish Cemetery;
■ Vysehrad Fortress;
■ National Museum;
■ National Gallery in Prague.

Curious facts

■ In 1518, the first attempt was made to unite the cities on the Vltava - Stare Mesto and Nove Mesto were united. This attempt was supported by a royal decree of Louis II (Jagiellonian) in 1523. However, the unity then lasted only 10 years. Only the Austrian Emperor Joseph II in 1784 managed to finally make the former independent cities into quarters of a united Prague.
■ In 1526, in a battle with troops Turkish Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent killed the Czech and Hungarian king Louis of the Jagiellonian. After this, the Czech throne went to the Habsburg dynasty.
■ The most famous Czech composers and founders of the national Czech musical classics - Bedrich Smetana (1824-1884) and Antonin Dvorak (1841-1904) lived and worked in the 19th century. They communicated a lot, despite the difference in age, and it is believed that the work of the elder (Smetana) had a great influence on the music of the younger.
■ Creator of the most unusual literary works on German in the 20th century (“The Trial”, “Castle”, “America”) - Franz Kafka - was born in Prague (1883), where he was buried in 1924 at the New Jewish Cemetery. In 2003, a monument to Franz Kafka appeared in Prague next to the Spanish Synagogue. This surreal work by Czech sculptor Jaroslav Rona quickly gained popularity among citizens and guests of the city.
■ There is a well-known legend that it was in Prague that Rabbi Lev Ben Bezalel created and brought to life the clay giant Golem. In fact, Ben Bezalel was indeed the chief rabbi of Prague during the reign of the alchemist emperor Rudolf II, but the rabbi’s contemporaries wrote nothing about the Golem.

basic information

Prague is the capital of the Czech Republic, as well as one of the most interesting cities in the heart of Europe. Today, Prague is home to more than 1,250,000 people, it is the largest city in the country and a famous cultural, scientific, historical and administrative center.

Prague covers an area of ​​49,600 hectares and is located on both banks of the Vltava River. You can get to the other side of the Vltava via one of 18 bridges. The name of the city "Prague" apparently comes from the rapids on the Vltava, which were used to cross to the other side.

Various epithets are often associated with Prague: Golden Prague and Hundred-Towered Prague, stone Prague, mother of cities, pearl. The Arab merchant Ibrahim ibn Yaqub wrote about stone Prague - a city made of stone and limestone - in the tenth century. The gilding on the domes of Prague Castle during the time of Charles IV and the plaster of Prague houses and palaces, made with an admixture of sand from the Vltava, glistening in the sun - this is Golden Prague. According to reliable data, there are about 500 towers in Prague, which make up the picturesque panorama of hundred-towered Prague.

A visit to the Czech Republic is integrally connected with a visit to Prague. About three million tourists visit the capital of the Czech Republic every month.

Prague has excellent air, bus and train connections not only with other cities of the Czech Republic, and any motorist can easily reach Prague by car via highways and highways. They connect Prague with Germany, Slovakia, Austria and Poland, as well as with all major centers of the country.

Prague is always happy to welcome guests and is ready to show them its riches. Since 1992, the historical parts of old Prague have been included in the UNESCO List of World Natural and Cultural Heritage. The total area of ​​the historical and cultural reserve is 866 hectares.

Prague is a must-see city!

History of Prague

It is reliably known that the territory of modern Prague was inhabited before our era. Later, the first Slavic settlements appeared on its territory. At the same time, the need arose to defend against attacks by enemy tribes. This is how the first Slavic settlements arose on the territory of Prague.

The foundation of Prague Castle around 870 is considered to be the year of the founding of Prague. It was here that the center of the Czech Principality was located. Around 926, the rotunda of St. Vitus was founded at Prague Castle. During the further development of Prague in the 10th century, Vysehrad and the Prague Bishopric were founded. In 965, the Arab merchant Ibrahim ibn Yaqub left the first written evidence of Prague. And finally, in 1085, the first Czech king, Vratislav I, chose Prague as his capital. It should be noted that at this time the royal title had not yet been inherited.

In 1198, the Czech Duchy received the status of a kingdom. Royal status and the right to inherit the royal title were confirmed in the Golden Sicilian Bull, which in 1212 the German king and future Holy Roman Emperor Frederick II of Hohenstaufen gave to the Czech king Otakar Přemysl I.

The city was significantly changed by the Czech king and Holy Roman Emperor Charles IV, increasing its importance. Under Charles IV, Prague became the capital of the kingdom, and the appearance of the city changed significantly. Undoubtedly, the period of the reign of Charles IV is the period of greatest prosperity for Prague: Charles IV founded Charles University, built the Charles Bridge and expanded the borders of the city. Charles University became the first university in Central Europe. At the same time, the settlements merged into the New Town (Novoe Mesto), and the construction of the town hall in the Old Town began. All these events signified the growing importance of the city.

In the 16th century, the Kingdom of Bohemia, together with its capital in Prague, was inherited by the Austrian Habsburg dynasty, and at the end of the 16th century, Rudolf II of Habsburg was crowned King of the Bohemia. During the period of Rudolf II, Prague became the capital of the Habsburg Empire, as well as an important center of cultural and social life. The reasons for the capital's move to Prague are related to frequent Turkish raids on Vienna. The period of Rudolf II's reign can be characterized as the flowering of art, culture and science. Rudolf II himself was a great connoisseur of art and collector. In addition, Rudolf II was interested in astrology and alchemy. Astrologers, alchemists and...various charlatans often visited the court of Rudolf II. In addition to them, famous European astronomers visited here. Tycho de Brahe was the court astronomer of Rudolf II, and after his death he was buried in Prague.

Although the Habsburg dynasty remained in power in the Czech Republic for almost the next 300 years, after the death of Rudolf II and the defeat of the uprising against the Habsburgs at the beginning of the 17th century, Prague never again became the capital of the Czech kings. The subsequent period is characterized by the decline of the Czech language and national identity, and with this the decline in the importance of Prague.

In 1784, four separate Prague settlements united and thus the greater Prague came into being.

As part of Austria-Hungary, after the death of Rudolf II, Prague lost its splendor and significance, gradually turning into a provincial city of the monarchy.

Yet the history of the Austrian Habsburg dynasty is closely connected with the Czech Republic and Prague. Not far from Prague, in Konopiste Castle, lived the last heir to the Habsburg throne, Franz Ferdinand I, who, together with his wife Czech Countess Zsofia Chotkova, was killed in Sarajevo in August 1914.

Prague acquired new significance during the period of industrial development, when numerous factories and manufactories were opened. The development of industry and trade contributed to the stratification of society and urban parts. The Czech population was predominantly engaged in crafts, while the German and Jewish population were predominantly engaged in trade and production.

Traditions in the occupation continued even after the proclamation of the Czechoslovak Republic in 1918. The street with the best shops, salons and cafes in Prague is today's Na Przikope Street. This part of Prague was predominantly German and ended approximately in the area of ​​what is now Narodní (National) Street. Beyond this line, mainly in the Czech part of Prague, there were many pubs and pubs.

During the Second World War, Prague was the capital of the Protectorate of Bohemia and Moravia. This ensured Prague suffered fewer losses compared to other cities.

Prague is also the birthplace of International Students' Day. This memorable day is celebrated in solidarity with Czech students who demonstrated in 1939 to protest the closure of Czech universities.

Another very important event of those times is connected with Prague. This is an attempt on the life of Protector Reinhard Heydrich in 1942 (in fact, Heydrich was Deputy Protector Konstantin von Neureuth, who was sent on leave for health reasons due to improper performance of his duties). Then a group of Czechoslovak paratroopers was thrown behind enemy lines and received the task of killing Heydrich. As a result of an unfortunate coincidence, when the weapon of one of the attackers failed, the paratroopers made a decision on the spot and threw a bomb at the car. Heydrich was wounded and subsequently died from his wounds. The paratroopers hid for some time in the Orthodox Cathedral of Cyril and Methodius, but were discovered after betrayal. The heroes did not give up: they died in battle or were shot, and the servants who helped them were shot. The cathedral is located in Prague 2, and currently houses a monument commemorating these events. Not far from Prague, on the site of a village burned by the Nazis in revenge, the Lidice memorial site is located. And at the site of the assassination attempt on paratroopers in the Prague 8 area, a monument was unveiled.

Despite the fact that Prague suffered less than other cities during the war, the consequences of the bombing remained visible here for a long time. On the embankment, on the site of one of the destroyed houses, there is now one of the most interesting buildings of modern architecture - the Dancing House. The house was designed by architects Vlado Milunić and Frank Gehry. There are office premises, shops and a restaurant here. The house symbolizes famous dancers Ginger Rogers and Fred Astaire. The unusual architecture of the building fits harmoniously into the surrounding buildings. This is a vivid example of a successful combination of different styles.

Another important event associated with Prague is the Prague Uprising of May 5-9, 1945. The uprising occurred on the wave of national upsurge after the transition of institutions to the Czech language (during the protectorate, communication was bilingual, in Czech and German). People removed German inscriptions and hung Czech flags. Some parts of the German occupation authorities ignored orders to transfer control and opened fire. Barricades began to be built in the city. Help for the rebels came from the army of General Vlasov, but later the army, even before the arrival of the Red Army, decided to leave Prague. The uprising ended with the liberation of Prague on May 9, 1945.

The post-war period in Prague, as well as in other cities of the country, is characterized by the expulsion of the German population from the country on the basis of the so-called Benes Decrees. The Germans, who previously constituted a significant cultural layer of the population, were deprived of citizenship, their property was confiscated and, finally, about three million Germans, Hungarians and representatives of other nationalities were expelled from the country.

Monuments and landmarks

Prague Castle is the most famous Prague landmark. This is the largest fortified building in Europe, consisting of a whole complex of buildings. The dominant feature of Prague Castle is St. Vitus Cathedral.

Although construction began in the Middle Ages, it was completed only in the twentieth century. The construction of the cathedral was interrupted many times due to wars, religious unrest and, mainly, due to the death of Charles IV, who invited the famous builder Peter Parler to build the cathedral. Parler survived the king by twenty years. Interest in the construction of the cathedral gradually decreased, and finally it was stopped.

The Catholic Cathedral of St. Vitus amazes with its grandeur and style. Many famous Czech kings are buried here, among them Charles IV; The tomb of St. Wenceslas is also located here. The chapel of the cathedral also houses Czech royal insignia, and a door with seven locks leads into the chapel. An interesting detail of the interior are the busts of Czech kings, bishops and builders. Obviously, the author was Parler himself.

In addition to St. Vitus Cathedral, there is a famous art gallery on the territory of Prague Castle.

The basis of the collection visual arts consists of paintings collected by the Czech king and Holy Roman Emperor Rudolf II. The collection features Renaissance works by Italian, German and Dutch artists; as well as Mannerism and Dutch and Central European Baroque. The most famous works housed in the Prague Castle Picture Gallery are:

Collection of the Olympian Gods, Rubens

The Flagellation of Christ, Tintoretto

Toilet of a young woman, Titian,

as well as paintings by Frans Hals, Rembrandt, Aachen and other artists.

The Prague Castle Gallery, together with the National Gallery, organizes special exhibitions and commentated thematic viewings with the participation of art historians.

Since 2004, a permanent exhibition “The History of Prague Castle” has been opened on the grounds of Prague Castle. The exhibition was created under the patronage of former President Czech Republic Vaclav Klaus.

Various exhibitions are held in the premises of Prague Castle. Here, for example, in 2010 there was an exhibition of the famous jewelry company Cartier, and in 2013 an exhibition dedicated to Marilyn Monroe, which featured the actress’s clothes and shoes provided by couturier Salvatore Ferregamo.

On the same bank of the Vltava as Prague Castle is located part of the town of Lesser Town. Government buildings and the Parliament of the Czech Republic are located here. Of particular interest is Wallenstein Palace, which currently houses the Senate (upper house of Parliament) of the Czech Republic.

The palace was built by the famous Czech nobleman Albrecht Wallenstein (or Waldstein). Currently, the historical premises of Wallenstein Palace are available to everyone. The building of the Wallenstein Palace, together with the Wallenstein Manege and the Wallenstein Garden, form a single complex of buildings. The premises of the Wallenstein Manege are used for exhibitions by the National Gallery. The Wallenstein Garden, also accessible to everyone, was created simultaneously with the palace. On the territory of the garden there is a pond with colorful carps; a wall imitating stalactites, peacocks, an aviary with eagle owls and a pavilion with frescoes. Initially, the garden was decorated with works by the famous sculptor Adrian de Vries, which, however, were stolen by the Swedes during the Thirty Years' War. In 1912-1918. exact copies of the originals were installed in the garden.

Lesser Town is a collection of old streets leading from Prague Castle to different parts of the city. There are many restaurants, cafes and pubs, as well as shops with souvenirs and paintings.

The main attraction of Mala Strana and a must-see for every Catholic pilgrim is the Roman Catholic Church of the Virgin Mary Victorious and St. Anthony of Padua. Another famous landmark of Prague is kept here - the Prague Jezulatko (Infant Jesus of Prague). Prague Jezulatko is believed to be endowed with magical powers and is the main goal of many pilgrims and tourists. A small wooden figurine of the Child Jesus (its height is 48 cm), covered with fabric, covered with colored wax and dressed in rich clothes, was donated to the temple by Polixena Lobkowitz. The statuette of the Jezulat of Prague was received by the mother of Polixena Lobkowicz, a court lady of the Spanish Queen Maria Manrique de Lara, as a wedding gift for her wedding with Vratislav Pernstein. Polixena Lobkowitz herself was known for her deep Catholic faith and her support of Catholics during the Reformation.

The Prague Jezulatko, located in a richly decorated altar, holds a globe with a cross in his left hand - a symbol of the fact that our whole world is in his hands, and blesses with his right hand. Thousands of believers turn to the Jesulat of Prague with requests for health, peace and happiness, and the Child Jesus blesses everyone.

Perhaps the most interesting attraction of Mala Strana, created in the Baroque style, is the Church of St. Nicholas (St. Nicholas). The church is located on Malostranska Square and is famous for its rich interior decoration and frescoes characteristic of the architecture of the Baroque period. The organ that Mozart once played is also interesting.

One of the symbols of Prague and one of the main attractions of the city is the Charles Bridge. This is the oldest bridge across the Vltava still in operation today and the second oldest bridge in the Czech Republic, which connects Mala Strana and Stare Mesto (Old Town). The bridge was built on the site of the original Judith Bridge, which was destroyed during a flood in 1342. The founder and initiator of the construction of the stone bridge was Charles IV. The presence of the stone bridge brought Prague fame as a center of trade. The bridge is famous for its unique gallery of thirty open-air sculptures, mostly in the Baroque style. The 515.76 meter long bridge harmoniously connects medieval architecture and baroque sculptures.

A place of constant interest to tourists for many years is the Old Town Hall (Old Town Hall) and the medieval Orloj (chimes). The town hall is a complex that unites buildings intended for the needs of the town hall, and consisted of a merchant's house, bought by the townspeople, with a square tower; a Gothic chapel built by the famous builder Petr Parler, and medieval chimes attached to the town hall in the 15th century. Every hour, thousands of tourists gather in front of the Old Town Hall chimes to see the appearance of the apostles in the windows of Orloj and hear the rooster crow. Astronomical clocks show many different data, including sunrise and sunset times, dates, zodiac signs, etc.

The Rudolfinum gallery building, built in the neo-Renaissance style, is the next cultural and historical landmark of Prague. The building was built in 1876-1881. to the 50th anniversary of the founding of the Czech Sporzhitelny (savings bank) and named after the heir to the throne, Rudolf Habsburg. The gallery was intended and is used today as a multifunctional cultural institution. In one part of the building there is a philharmonic hall and concerts are held; the other part is used by the National Gallery. It is noteworthy that the Rudolfinum gallery does not have its own exhibition; separate exhibitions are held here.

The main architectural element, towering over the most famous square in Prague and the whole country, is undoubtedly the historical building of the largest museum - the National Museum. The building was built in 1818; Initially, the Patriotic Museum of the Czech Republic was located here. The museum was created with the goal of opening the Museum as a temple of science and culture. The museum's collections are also located in other buildings, such as the adjacent former Federal Assembly building, which later housed the editorial office of Radio Free Europe. The main building is currently undergoing reconstruction, the completion of which is planned to coincide with the 200th anniversary of the founding of the museum in 2018. Moreover, it is planned to connect the main building and the building of the former Federal Assembly, as well as the opening of an observation deck under the dome of the museum.

The Municipal House on Republic Square is one of the most beautiful buildings in the Art Nouveau style. The house was built on the site of the former royal chambers and today is used mainly for exhibitions and concerts. The nearby streets - Kralodvorskaya, Tseletnaya, U Prashnaya brana (near the Powder Gate) - remind us that the Royal Road once passed here. Famous Czech artists, for example, Mikolas Ales, Max Švabinsky, Alphonse Mucha and others, participated in the design of the Municipal House. The halls of the Municipal House host the traditional Prague Spring music festival, as well as classical music concerts. Some rooms in the building are rented out for representative events. On the ground floor of the building there is a French restaurant and cafe. The interior decoration of the building is made mostly in a patriotic style.

The Municipal House is not the only representative of Art Nouveau architecture in Prague. The Holešovice exhibition area was built for the Jubilee County Exhibition in 1891 and is adjacent to Stromovka Park. The main building of the entire area is the Industrial Palace. The building is constructed of a steel structure with large windows providing an abundance of light. On the territory of the area, among other objects, there are the famous singing Křížíkov fountains. The mesmerizing play of water in the light of reflective lighting is especially beautiful and effective in the evening hours. There is an amphitheater for spectators, from where you can watch interesting performances every day against the backdrop of the Křížíkov fountains.

Not far from the Exhibition area is the building of the Exhibition Palace, where the exhibitions of the National Gallery in Prague are located. Previously, the building was used for commercial purposes, there were also shops and cafes here. After a fire in the 70s of the last century, the National Gallery received the building. Mostly collections of contemporary art are presented here. The architecture of the building is made in the style of functionalism.

Most Czechs know the Exhibition Area as the site of the traditional Matvey pilgrimage festival. Although the tradition comes from the traditional pilgrimage to the Church of St. Matvey (Matthew), these days the Matej pilgrimage is an amusement park, a fair of trinkets, sweets and attractions.

If you visit the Holešovice Exhibition Grounds and walk through Stromovka Park, then crossing the bridge you can get to the Troy Castle. The castle was built in Baroque style and is surrounded by a park. In 1922, the castle, along with other objects on the territory, was donated to the Czechoslovak state by the last private owner, Alois Svoboda. His main condition was that the castle be used for cultural and educational purposes. Currently, it houses the fine art collections of the Prague City Gallery, predominantly Czech modernist, expressionist and neoclassical artists; interesting and valuable paintings by Antonin Slavichek (Czech Renoir), Antonin Hitussi (Czech Shishkin) and Vaclav Spala. The building houses a wine library, and not far from the castle is the vineyard of St. Clare. The castle is also adjacent to a zoo and a botanical garden.

Returning from Troy Castle to the Prague part of Holešovice, it is worth visiting the largest park in Prague, Stromovka. The park was founded in the 13th century as a Royal Reserve. The Royal Viceroy's Hunting Pavilion is located here. The park has been publicly accessible to visitors since 1804. On the territory of the park there is a pond, sports and children's playgrounds, as well as alleys and green spaces. Unfortunately, the park was heavily damaged by floods in 2002.

Not far from Stromovka, there is another park - Letensky Garden. The building of the Brussels Pavilion of Expo 58 is located on its territory. The park, located on the banks of the Vltava, offers a picturesque view of the entire hundred-towered Prague, Prague bridges, the television tower and Prague Castle. Taking a walk through the Letensky Garden, you can get to Prague Castle, which will take no more than one hour. On the way, you can stop at the Ganava Pavilion, relax with a cup of coffee and enjoy the panorama.

One more park is worth noting, although it is located a little outside of Prague. Pruhonice Park covers 250 hectares and was founded in 1885 by Count Arnošt Emanuel Silva Tarouca. The founder devoted most of his life to park work. He managed to create a unique composition of local flora and exotic plants. The park has special viewing platforms and tourist paths, and contains valuable dendrological exhibits. There is also a botanical garden here. The park is especially magnificent during the flowering period of rhododendrons.

In the opposite part of Prague is the Divokaja Sarka nature reserve. The park got its name from the name of the ancient settlement of Sharka, the remains of which can be found on the territory of the park. From Sharka you can take a walk to Stromovka Park. Sharka has been a national reserve since 1995 and is of interest both in summer and winter.

Prague is, of course, a famous cultural center. There are many small and large theaters of various genres and styles operating here. The main theater of the country is the National Theater. Being a historical heritage, the building of the National Theater was built in the neo-Renaissance style. The idea of ​​building the theater belongs to Czech patriots. For its construction, a fundraiser was announced, in which the public, city authorities, the Czech nobility, the Emperor of Austria-Hungary Franz Joseph and the Emperor widely participated Russian Empire. Famous Czech artists took part in the design of the theater. The theater was opened in 1881. Emperor Franz Joseph I also attended the premiere of Bedřich Smetana's opera Libuše and left an entry in a memorial book in Czech. However, literally two months after the premiere, the theater was significantly damaged during a fire. A fundraiser was again announced for the repairs, and in a very short time they managed to collect a million gold pieces. The theater was successfully renovated and reopened for the season in 1883.

Theatrical Prague is integrally connected with the name of the brilliant composer Mozart. It was here at the Estates Theater in 1787 that Mozart personally conducted the orchestra at the premiere of the opera Don Giovanni. The theater is one of the oldest theaters in Europe, but it became especially famous thanks to the opera Don Giovanni by Mozart. A building in the classicist style with a rich interior is located in the very center of Prague; the theater's repertoire is still predominantly classical.

The Estates Theater and the Opera are part of the National Theater. The opera building, unfortunately, is cut off from Wenceslas Square by the motorway. It is located near the building national museum and the main railway station. Previously, the building housed the New German Theater. Thanks to its neo-Rococo style interior, the Opera is one of the most beautiful theaters in Europe. On the stage opera house For example, Enrico Caruso and Richard Strauss performed. Every year the Opera Ball is held in the Opera building, where all the “cream of society” gather. Traditionally, on the last day of the year, December 31, the Opera gives bat. After the end of the performance, the spectators' ball and New Year's Eve begins.

Prague cafes

The life of not a single large city, not a single self-respecting capital, can do without cafes and without coffee.

Coffee was brought to Prague by Gerzman Chernin and Kryshtof Garant back in the 16th century, but the first coffee seller in Prague was in the 18th century a certain Arab Khatala from Damascus, known under the name Arab or Deodatus. At first he sold coffee right on the street, but soon opened the first Prague cafe, At the Golden Snake. Although Prague is the capital of the Czech Republic, the first cafe in the Czech Republic opened not in Prague at all, but in the capital of Moravia, Brno.

Today, the most popular way of making coffee in the Czech Republic is the so-called “Turk” or “Turkish coffee”. However, when you come to visit or look into a provincial restaurant, do not rush to order “Turk” for yourself. In fact this method coffee preparation has nothing in common with real coffee brewed “Turkish style”. In the Czech Republic, this simply means ground coffee filled with water. Times are changing, today coffee machines are available, and in a cafe you can safely order real Italian espresso

Coffee culture is intrinsically linked to the café tradition. The Prague cafes Slavia, Savoy, Imperial, Grand Café Orient and Myšak are interesting from the point of view of architecture and history.

Cafe Slavia is located in a corner building on National Street, close to the National Theater and Charles Bridge. The interior of this cafe is made in the functionalist style. Every evening you can enjoy playing the piano here. Café Slavia is a traditional meeting place for the Czech intelligentsia. What to try? Ice cream with parmesan and cognac jelly.

The Savoy Café also occupies a space in the historic building. Its neo-Renaissance style ceiling is interesting. It seems that here you can immerse yourself in the atmosphere of pre-war cafes. You can get similar pleasure in another cafe - Imperial. The luxurious interior and carefully composed menu have brought pleasure to all lovers of real Grand Cafes for more than a hundred years. What to try? Cakes and sweets prepared in the cafe.

Perhaps the menu of the Grand Cafe Orientosobonichem will not surprise you, but it is the only cafe in the world in the style of cubism. The cafe is located in the historical building House of the Black Mother of God, one of the most interesting buildings in the cubist style. The interior of the cafe is decorated in the same style. What to try? Just relax over a cup of coffee on the cafe terrace or listen to the piano playing. The cafe, located in the heart of the historical center of Prague, may be a welcome place for a little relaxation.

When traveling through Prague cafes, it is worth stopping at the Mysak cafe. In pre-war times, the confectioner Frantisek Myszak's company was located here. They say that no one prepared such pastries and cakes as pastry chef Myshak. The cafe is located in a historical building built in the Rondo-Cubist style. A few years ago, the tradition of confectioner Myshak was renewed: the cafe was opened after reconstruction, the interior was restored from old photographs. What to try? Ice cream, cakes, pastries prepared according to the recipes of the confectioner Myshak himself. After all, no one knows how to cook them better!

To try excellent coffee of various varieties or even find your favorite variety, you don’t need to look for stylish and expensive cafes. For example, the Ebel cafe chain offers the best coffee of various varieties. What to try? Mexican Altura coffee or coffee from Ethiopia. You can buy the type of coffee you like to take home.

Au Gourmand Café & Bistro may not be the most stylish café, but almost everything on offer here is of excellent quality. The first cafe was opened on Dlouga (Long) Street in a former butcher shop. The original style of the cafe's interior remained unchanged: tiles on the walls and mosaics on the floor. What to try? Foret Noir cake, chocolate mousse and real eclair.

Architecture and style

Prague is a city rich in architectural traditions. Different styles and eras are connected in a special way here. Speaking about architecture, it is especially necessary to highlight the styles of Art Nouveau, Functionalism and Cubism. Why exactly these - airy and sublime modernism next to rustic functionalism and sophisticated and rough forms of cubism? All this is a turning point of eras: the end of an old era and the beginning of a new one. The end of the monarchy and the beginning of the republic. One thing leads to another. Styles change, but their legacy remains.

Art Nouveau (Art Nouveau or Art Nouveau) pleasantly changed and enlivened the appearance of the Prague center. Among the dark and monumental buildings of the late Baroque era, airy buildings in the Art Nouveau style appeared. They are still impressive today: the Municipal House, the Industrial Palace on the territory of the Exhibition Grounds, the Paris Hotel and other buildings. Fans of the Art Nouveau style should also visit the Alphonse Mucha Museum, one of the prominent representatives of this style. He is also the author of one of the stained glass windows in St. Vitus Cathedral at Prague Castle.

Although cubism did not last long in Europe, this style was and remains quite popular in the Czech Republic. The exclusivity of Czech Cubism lies in its expansion into the field of architecture. Prague is perhaps the only city where you can find numerous buildings in the Cubist style. On the embankment, in the center, in the historical part of the city you can find villas and houses in the style of cubism, as well as its variety - rondocubism. The most outstanding building in this style is the House of the Black Lady in the Old Town. There was also a Cubism Museum here. The influence of Cubism is still noticeable today. Almost every Czech admires geometric shapes and patterns. It doesn't matter whether it's a chair or a painting.

Cubism and Art Nouveau prepared the necessary ground for functionalism. The simplified style met the requirements of the new era. Almost every modern building is somehow connected with functionalism. Of particular note is the building of the National Gallery in Prague - the Exhibition Palace, the department store Bilaja Labut (White Swan) or the National Technical Museum. In some parts of Prague, entire neighborhoods are built in the functionalist style. Czechs love and welcome this style because of its simplicity and lack of frills.

Jewish Prague

The Prague Jewish settlement was located between Charles Bridge and Old Town Square. Traditionally, the Jewish population settled separately. At one time, the Prague ghetto was one of the largest in Europe. The period of Rudolf II's reign coincides with the heyday of the Prague Jewish ghetto. At this time, numerous synagogues were built. In addition, the legend of the Prague Golem and its founder, Rabbi Leo, is associated with the reign of Rudolf II. The end of the 17th century brought an epidemic of pestilence and fire to the Jewish ghetto.

Life was not always good for the inhabitants of the Jewish ghetto in Prague. During the reign of Empress Maria Theresa, Jews were expelled from the city. Their rights were restored only during the period of national upsurge in 1848. Jews were allowed to settle at their own discretion. However, the ghetto gradually fell into decay. The part of Prague where the ghetto was located later received the name Josefov. In the 19th century, city authorities decided to rehabilitate the ghetto area. Unfortunately, as a result of the demolition of buildings, a famous Prague landmark has disappeared.

The existence of the Jewish Museum is connected with the history of the Prague Jewish ghetto. The museum was founded in 1906; notably, it survived the Nazi occupation and communist regime. One of the most outstanding attractions of Jewish Prague is the old Jewish cemetery. The creator of the Golem, Rabbi Lev, is buried here. It is estimated that there are about 12,000 tombstones in the cemetery, which has been expanded several times throughout its history. Burials had to be made in several layers to compensate for the lack of space.

The modern Jewish history of Prague is connected with the life of Franz Kafka. His museum is located in Prague. Interestingly, Kafka is known as a Prague Jewish writer who wrote in his native... German language. During his lifetime, his books were practically unknown.

Entertainment

Prague lives not only with history. Every lover of art and music will find a lot of interesting things here. Prague hosts several music festivals every year: Prague Spring, Prague Autumn, Prague Proms, as well as open-air theater festivals. Although the provincial towns and surrounding areas of Prague are alive with contemporary or alternative music, Prague favors predominantly classical music. Classical lovers usually gather in historical concert halls: Rudolfinum, Municipal House and others.

Modern genres are given, for example, to the stadium building on the territory of the Exhibition Grounds or the Sports Arena.

In Prague, like any other big city, can't help but have its own zoo. The zoo has repeatedly been highly rated in the world and is included in the top ten best zoos. The zoo's territory covers 58 hectares, and visitors can visit 12 pavilions. The zoo is home to 4,158 inhabitants of 645 species. The zoo is a great place for a family outing.

Not far from the zoo is the Prague Botanical Garden. The Fata Morgana pavilion is unique, in which they grow different kinds tropical plants. Once a year, the pavilion hosts an exhibition of butterflies, and in the territory of the St. Clare's vineyard you can try local wine varieties, and not only.

No modern city is complete without shopping-style entertainment. Prague is no exception. Shopping and entertainment centers located on the outskirts and in the very center of Prague await shopping lovers and avid fashionistas.

The urban population had special types of urban entertainment before. A special type and typical entertainment is beer halls. They say that the Prague part of Žižkov is a city within a city, with its own culture and traditions. First of all, Žižkov is a city of beer halls, where workers from nearby factories and factories went. After hard work, they wanted to relax in a pub, drink a glass or two of beer, talk with friends, play cards. Many factories are long gone, but the Žižkov pubs remain. The names of the pubs may evoke particular interest and a smile: U Kulatý Báby (At the Round Lady), Bar Žumpa (Bar Trash), U Vystřelenýho oka (At the Shot Eye), Známá firma (Famous Bird) or Sedm vlků (Seven Wolves). Of course, there are beer gardens in other parts of Prague, but Žižkov has a special atmosphere and a special city. Anyone who has not been to Žižkov has not been to Prague!

Industry

Like any other European city, the period of industrialization and industrial development did not bypass Prague.

The well-known company ChKD was founded back in 1871 and was one of the largest machine-building enterprises of the pre-war period and the second half of the 19th century. The company carried out deliveries to such objects as, for example, the Observation Tower on Petřín, or the Industrial Palace on the territory of the Exhibition Grounds. Later the company produced rail vehicles (trams) and Prague cars. During the Second World War, weapons for the Wehrmacht were produced here, and after the war, locomotives and other engineering equipment. After the collapse of the CMEA, the company found itself on the verge of bankruptcy. Currently, the company is divided into several different companies, some of them rent out old facilities (for example, for filming), some were bought by Siemens, and some are engaged in the production of various equipment.

The Prague company Letov has been producing aircraft since 1918. Some types of military aircraft have received well-deserved recognition in the international arena. During wartime, the plant was used to repair German aircraft and was part of the Junkers concern. After the war, the production of gliders and training aircraft was established here. The company currently supplies components for Airbus aircraft.

Not only engineering companies were located in Prague, but also food industry enterprises. For example, the Orion company, founded in 1896 by the Marshnerovs. Initially, the company was called the Factory for the Production of Oriental Sweets, A. Marshner. The demand for products in Austria-Hungary was constantly growing, and the couple managed to build a chocolate production plant. Since 1897, the production of traditional Christmas chocolate figures began here. They can still be bought today. Currently, Orion is part of the Nestle company.

Prague has also always boasted its own breweries. One of the largest breweries in Prague is Staropramen. It was founded in 1869, and is currently the second largest brewery in the country. The first beer from the Staropramen brewery went on sale on July 15, 1871. The brewery was located in the industrial part of the city, which ensured the beer wide popularity and demand. The Staropramen brewery was considered primarily a Czech brewery that brews Czech beer. During the period of national revival this was a particularly important circumstance. Throughout the history of the plant, beer production grew, and already in 1960 it exceeded 1,000,000 hectoliters of beer per year. The company is currently doing a lot to improve the beer sales culture; opened her own chain of restaurants, Potrefená Husa, as well as the Vinograd Parliament beer hall. The goal is to improve the beer consumption culture and support our own beer varieties.

There are quite a few in Prague a large number of small breweries, but not every brewery actually brews beer. Probably the most famous breweries are located in the Strahov monastery, Břevnov. The First Novomestsky Brewery is also known, which continues the traditions of medieval brewing.

Conclusion

Prague is a modern and historical city, cultural and Entertainment Center, offering different walking routes. Every history buff will undoubtedly be glad to have the opportunity not only to get acquainted with the history of the city, attend a concert or theater, or stroll along the old streets. Every part of Prague, every corner of it is a combination of tradition and modernity and different eras. Prague is a magical city, each of us will find the part of Prague that he likes best. It doesn't matter where exactly the tour starts. Prague is a variety of objects, eras that make up a single whole and develop further. Prague is endowed with a special genius of the place, so everyone who has been here before wants to return, and whoever has not been yet dreams of plunging into the indescribable atmosphere of the magical city called Prague...

Birth of a city
There is an old legend that connects the history of the founding of Prague with the name of Princess Libuše. According to this legend, one day the princess, standing on the high bank of the Vltava, prophetically exclaimed: “I see a high city, its glory will rise to the stars!” The prophecy came true, and soon the beautiful city of Prague grew here. Princess Libuše began to reign there, choosing as her husband a simple plowman named Přemysl (many believe that this is how the dynasty of the Přemyslid princes began).
However, this is just a legend, and the princess-prophetess is a mythical character. Historical facts indicate that the foundation of the city of Prague dates back to the end of the 9th century, when Prince Přemyslovich-Borzhevoy from the Slavic Czech tribe built a wooden castle Prague Castle on a cape overlooking the Vltava. Somewhat later, in the first half of the 10th century, another castle, Vysehrad, was built on the other bank of the Vltava. Between these two castles the city gradually began to grow. Traders, merchants and artisans began to settle here.
On the site of the current Old Town Square there was the core of all settlements - the large Market Square. Not far from it, the princely court of Tyn was founded, which served as a customs point. Until the middle of the 13th century, new architectural monuments arose on the territory of Prague Castle: the Basilica of St. Vitus (unfortunately, it has not survived to this day, but its remains were discovered under the Chapel of St. Wenceslas in St. Vitus Cathedral), the Basilica of St. George (George) with a Benedictine monastery, Sobeslav's palace and stone fortress walls with three towers. A princely palace appeared in Vyšehrad, and the Strahov Monastery appeared in Petřín.
At the beginning of the 13th century, the Czech king Wenceslas I turned the merchant settlement near Tyn into a separate privileged City of Prague. Soon after this, in the place where the Fruit Market, Coal Market and Havelska Street are now located, another city appears, with the central church of St. Havel. In a short period of time, the City of Prague and the Havel City are united into one territorial whole - the Old Town (Stare Mesto). It was surrounded by a wall with thirteen towers, of which only one has survived to our times - Porokhovaya. On Havel Street you can see arches with ribbed cross vaults - this is all that remains of the Havel city.
During the reign of the next Czech king, Přemysl Otakar II, a third city was founded, the Lesser Town of Prague (Lesser Town), where settlers from Northern Germany lived.
The transformation of former merchant settlements into cities was accompanied by active construction, especially of churches. It was during this period that the Gothic Old New Synagogue was built (it is currently the oldest in Europe).
By the end of the 13th century, Prague became the largest city in the Czech Republic. King Wenceslas II called it “the capital of the kingdom, towering above other cities.” In 1321, another Prague city, Hradcany, was founded.

Golden Age of Prague
New era in Prague urban planning begins with the ascension to the throne of Charles IV. The political power of this king, who was also the Holy Roman Emperor, made it possible to turn Prague into one of the most beautiful capitals in Europe. Karl considered the old Přemyslid Palace to be outdated and not majestic enough, so he erected it next to it new palace on the model of the French.
It was under Charles that the construction of the city’s largest cathedral, St. Vitus, began. For this purpose, the king invited the young architect Peter Parlez, who had no recommendations other than being from a German family of builders and sculptors. However, Palerge justified the emperor’s trust and embodied in stone the monarch’s idea of ​​power. By the way, “Palerge Gothic” became a role model in Europe. St. Vitus Cathedral took more than 600 years to build, but most of what we see now is the fruit of the brilliant imagination of a German architect.
In addition, Charles expanded the territory of Prague by uniting and rebuilding the old Romanesque villages on the right bank of the Vltava. This is how another district appeared - New Town, or Nove Mesto. To decorate the New Town, a number of buildings were built here: the town hall, the Church of Mary of the Snows, etc.
Subsequently, Karl ordered to enclose the entire city with a single wall, of which only a part has survived to this day, located on the slope of Petrin Hill (the so-called Hungry Wall).
Among the indisputable merits of Charles are the founding of the first university in Central Europe, as well as the approval of the archbishop's see, which increased the status of Prague. It was under Charles that a new bridge was built on the site of the old Judith Bridge washed away by the flood, which received its name in honor of the king.

The period before and after the Hussite Wars
From 1419 to 1437, the Czech Republic was engulfed in the Hussite Wars, which were the result of a religious conflict between the Hussites, who preached the idea of ​​​​transferring church property to secular authorities, and the Roman Catholic Church. At this time, many historical monuments were destroyed, and Prague Castle fell into decay.
Despite certain economic difficulties, by the end of the 15th century, construction in Prague resumed: the Lesser Town Bridge Tower was built, the construction of the church in Tyn was completed, and at the end of the century (1490) the famous chiming clock was installed at the Old Town Hall. In addition, the work of the talented architect Benedict Wright dates back to this period in the history of Prague urban planning. The pinnacle of his creativity is considered to be the creation of a number of structures on the territory of Prague Castle: Vladislavsky Hall and the adjacent staircase for horsemen (knightly tournaments were held in Vladislavsky Hall), the northern and southern wings of the Royal Palace.

The era of Habsburg rule
After the tragic death of the young King Louis, Archduke Ferdinand I of Habsburg ascended to the Czech throne. For Prague, this expansion had a positive rather than a negative effect. Settlers from other European countries, in particular from Italy, begin to arrive here. It was the Italian masters who began to build buildings in the Renaissance style - the Belvedere summer palace and the ball game pavilion in the Royal Park; many new houses appeared in Mala Strana, the territory of the Czech Castle and Hradcany.
Finally, during the reign of the famous mystic king Rudolf II, the second “Golden Age” of Prague begins. After Charles IV, this is the second Czech ruler who managed to make the city one of the largest centers of world politics and culture. Outstanding figures of art and science of that time gather at the royal court: artists Barlomie Sprander and Hans von Aachen, sculptors Adrian de Vries and Giovanni Batista Quadri, jewelers Anton Schweinberger and Jan Vermeen, poetess Elisabeth Westonia, outstanding astronomers Jan Kepler and Tycho Brahe, English alchemist Edward Kelly.
In addition, Rudolf II was involved in collecting art. For this purpose, by his order, two large halls in the Royal Palace (the Spanish Hall and the Rudolf Gallery) were decorated.
The death of Rudolf II in 1612 brought an end great era in the history of the development of Prague. The royal court quickly disintegrated, the new king Matthias moved the capital of the empire from Prague to Vienna, and most of Rudolf’s collection went there. Soon after these events, an uprising of the Czech nobility occurred, which became the beginning of the Thirty Years' War. During it, Prague was captured and subsequently plundered several times, first by French, and then by Prussian and Swedish troops. Life in the city became quiet for a long time.

Revival of the city
Immediately after the end of the war, vigorous construction began, mainly of church buildings and luxurious palaces in the Baroque style (Czernin Palace in Hradcany, Lobkowitz Palace, Wallenstein Palace). The Czech nobility seemed to want to show that they were in no way inferior in their greatness to the Austrian ones.
In the second half of the 18th century, under the influence of Vienna, the Rococo style with its curved lines, soft tones, intricate elegant decorations and bas-reliefs began to spread in Prague. From a medieval fortified city, Prague is turning into a secular European capital: pedestrian streets are being built in place of the defensive walls between the Old and New Towns; the first embankment along the Vltava appears (now Smetana embankment); the second bridge Chain is being built, followed by other bridges of Prague: the Franz Josef Bridge (replaced in 1949-1951 by the Schwerma Bridge), the Iron Shop Bridge (in its place is now the Manes Bridge), Railroad bridge and the Palacky Bridge, the construction of St. Vitus Cathedral is finally completed.
In addition, a number of technical improvements are taking place on Wenceslas Square: the first horse-drawn horse was launched here, and large gas candelabra with elegant caryatids were placed in the center.
However, we should not forget the fact that the Czech Republic was still under Habsburg rule and, along with the construction of magnificent buildings of different styles, the gradual Germanization of the country was taking place. It all started with the fact that all the Czech nobility living in the capital, and after them the intelligentsia, began to consider German as the spoken language, and looked down on their native Czech. Such a situation could have led to the fact that over time the Czech language had ceased to exist altogether if the first theater had not been built in 1701. It was called Shporkovsky and was first located on Gibernskaya Street, and in 1725 it moved to Porzychi. The fact is that the theater, in which performances were held in Czech, was very popular among the public. The latter fact was the main impetus for the fact that the issue of reviving the Czech language became a serious public problem, and the government finally realized what a threat the Germanization policy posed.

Prague capital of an independent state
The year 1918 was significant in the history of the Czech Republic: the Austro-Hungarian Empire collapsed, and Prague became the capital of independent Czechoslovakia. Prague Castle became the residence of the first president of the new state, Tomas Garik Masaryk. At the same time, ties between Prague and Paris intensified; under the influence of the then fashionable Art Nouveau style, the so-called Prague Secession arose - a mixture of European Art Nouveau with national motifs of Czech art. The best example of the Prague Secession is the building of the Municipal House on Republic Square.
A little later, buildings belonging to the constructivist and functionalist movements appeared. They say that even the famous French architect Le Corbusier was jealous of the talent of Prague functionalist architects.

Prague during and after World War II
During 1939–1945, Prague was occupied by the troops of Nazi Germany, the Prague Jewish community was virtually destroyed (most of the Jews were killed, many were repressed to concentration camps). The end of World War II was brought about by the Prague Uprising and the introduction of Soviet army forces into the country.
After the coup d'etat on February 25, 1948, the Communist Party seizes power in Prague.
1968. "Prague Spring": in response to the secretary's attempt Communist Party Alexander Dubcek to create “socialism with a human face”, the troops of the Warsaw Pact countries bring tanks into the territory of Prague and the “Prague Spring” is defeated.
On November 17, 1989, the “Velvet Revolution” begins; in the following days, huge masses of people gather at Wenceslas Square in Prague. The result of the “Velvet Revolution” was the overthrow of the communist regime.
After the division of Czechoslovakia (January 1, 1993) into two independent states Czech Republic and Slovakia Prague becomes the capital of the Czech Republic.
In 2000, Prague was declared the European Capital of Culture.

20.11.2017

Prague is the capital of the Czech Republic, a city that has long been included in the list of the most beautiful and has become one of the most visited cities in the world. Having visited Prague once, many tourists want to return back and we were no exception. Prague left its indelible imprint on us, and we still fondly remember our trip to the Czech Republic, especially Prague.

For most tourists who decide to spend their holidays in the Czech Republic, their acquaintance with the country begins with Prague. First of all, because it is convenient to get to Prague and it becomes the starting point for many trips around the country.

28.08.2017

The Museum of Love in Prague is a museum with an erotic theme located in the heart of Prague.

Despite its rather small size, this museum is quite extraordinary. The museum presents an exhibition consisting of more than 300 exhibits dedicated to love and eroticism.

Among the exhibits: photographs, paintings and sculptures of erotic content, wooden...

25.08.2017

How can you get acquainted with the mysteries of Prague and enjoy the charm of this fabulous city? By attending excursions, of course!

Unusual excursions from local residents are the best option to get acquainted with the beauty and history of the city.

Among the excursions in Prague and beyond, we have prepared for you: sightseeing tours, unusual routes, acquaintance with the history and architecture of the city, gastronomic and beer excursions, as well as trips outside the city, for example, to Cesky Krumlov, Karlovy Vary, Teplice and visits to ancient locks All excursions are very varied and exciting; you can choose excursions on foot, by car, bus, bicycle and even by private plane.

03.02.2017

Republic Square, one of the main squares of the Czech capital, Prague.

Republic Square is always crowded. Tourists are attracted by the square, primarily because it is from here that most excursions around Old Prague originate. And for good reason, because this particular square is located, as it were, on the border of the Old and New Towns, embodying the unity of old and modern Prague.

The dominant feature of the square, a striking, powerful structure, is the Powder Tower with the Powder Gate of the same name. Even from a distance, before reaching the square, these gates stand out against the background of other, more modern buildings in the square. It is behind these gates that the historical center of Prague, the Old Town, begins.

31.01.2017

The main part of Prague's attractions is located in the historical center, the old part of the city. It is this part of the city that is riddled with secrets and mysteries. It is here that the most striking architectural buildings are located, absorbing history and different destinies.

You can walk around this part of Prague endlessly, constantly discovering something new and unknown.

30.07.2017

From every country I want to bring something original, memorable and unique to that country. Something that can only be purchased there and nowhere else!

The Czech Republic has surpassed many countries in the world in this regard! The Czech Republic, especially its capital, Prague, delights its guests with a generous selection of unique souvenirs and gifts that you will not find anywhere else in the world. So, going for Czech souvenirs can also be an excellent shopping experience.

28.07.2017

Prague Castle (Prazsky hrad) has been a symbol and outstanding pearl of the Czech Republic for more than a thousand years. Currently, Prague Castle is one of the largest fortified complexes in the world, founded in the 9th century.

For centuries, Prague Castle was the residence of Czech kings and then presidents. The total area of ​​the complex is 45 hectares, which house towers, picturesque narrow streets and gardens, as well as palace, service, fortification and religious buildings, most of which currently house various museums and exhibitions.

24.07.2017

No walk around Prague is complete without visiting the main square of the city - Wenceslas Square. Wherever you go in Prague, one way or another, go to Wenceslas Square.

Wenceslas Square is the largest and most famous square not only in the Czech capital, but also one of the largest squares in the world. This square does not look like a square, in the usual sense of the word; it rather resembles a boulevard, in the center of which there is a walking area, and on both sides there are roadways and sidewalks.

20.07.2017

Probably, no city in the world can be imagined without green parks, and Prague even more so. The Czech capital has always attracted visitors with its hills, where beautiful gardens and many attractions are located. On one of these hills, in the very heart of Prague, is the legendary Letná Park, better known as the Letná Gardens.

The Leten Gardens are located on the left bank of the Vltava River, opposite Prague’s historical Stare Mesto district, near the Prague bridges. The attractive thing about this park is that it is located on a hill (hill) and by going up to the park, you can admire the beautiful panorama of the right bank of Prague, the Vltava River and Prague bridges, completely free of charge, unlike observation platforms in the city, including seeing the Charles Bridge in in all its glory.

15.07.2017

Petrin Hill or Petrin is located in the very center of Prague on the left bank of the Vltava River and is not only the highest hill of the Czech capital, but also one of the main attractions of Prague, which no tourist can ignore. So we didn’t pass by and looked at Petrin.

The main attractions of the hill are its famous green gardens stretching over a considerable distance and the Petrin Tower, which is a small copy of the Eiffel Tower. At the very top of the tower is Observation deck, which offers a beautiful panorama of almost the whole of Prague.

13.07.2017

Having visited the beautiful Czech city of Prague, we naturally could not ignore such a historical landmark as the Klementinum. And we were attracted to Clementinum, first of all, by one of the most beautiful libraries in the world.

While still sitting at home and preparing for the trip, we looked at photographs of this baroque library hall, admired it, and we so wanted to see with our own eyes the most beautiful library in the world.

11.07.2017

In Prague, embankments stretch along the Vltava River, which interconnect to form a long promenade of the city. However, there are two of the most picturesque Prague embankments, they are also one of the brightest streets of Prague - these are the Masaryk or Masaryk and Rašinova embankments.