Prague

Basic information

Prague, the capital, is situated right in the heart of the Czech Republic (comprising Bohemia, Moravia and Silesia) and we can also say in the heart of Europe. It is called "the City of hundred spires", the "Golden City" or the "Mother of Cities".  Since the 9th century, it has been the focal point of Bohemia, the residential town of the Přemyslid princes, home to all Bohemian kings of Luxembourg and Jagellon dynasties, through the Habsburg emperors, since 1918 the capital of Czechoslovakia and since 1993 the capital of the Czech Republic.

Prague has 1,202,600 inhabitants and covers an area of 497 square kilometers. Like Rome, it is built on seven hills, along the banks of river Vltava, and is divided into 10 districts. The whole inner city is a protected area with many historical buildings - there are over 1,700 cultural monuments, hundreds of ancient houses, palaces and churches, old lanes and beautiful gardens. The most important period in the development of the city was the reign of Charles IV, King of Bohemia and Emperor of the Holy Roman Empire.

Its most famous landmark is the monumental complex of the Prague Castle - the symbol of the history of the Czech nation. All dynasties contributed to its construction in all styles, starting from the Romanesque and passing through the Gothic, the Renaissance and the Baroque down to the modern styles. The splendid position of the Castle on a hill sloping steeply down  presents an unforgettable sight when viewed from the city. Among the 17 bridges linking the two banks of the Vltava river, the most famous is the unique, 600-years-old Charles Bridge with Gothic towers and Baroque statues.

The Old Town - life in this area revolves around the Old Town Square, one of the most popular tourist attractions. Here you can find the Old Town Hall with its astronomical clock, St. Nicolas' Church, Týn Church, the Bethlehem Chapel (where the Czech reformer Jan Hus preached), the Estates Theatre, the Charles University, the Powder Tower and the Klementinum (originally a Jesuit college). Especially precious is the old Jewish Town with its well-preserved Jewish cemetery, synagogues and museums. 

The New Town - this is the modern district of theatres, museums, hotels and shops and also the commercial centre of the city. The Wenceslas Square - the hub of the whole city - is with its hotels, shops, restaurants and night-clubs more a bustling boulevard than a regular square. The National Museum stands at the beginning of the square and in front of it the statue of St. Wenceslas, the saint patron of Bohemia, is rising. In this area you can also find the National Theatre and Charles Square where the New Town Hall is situated.

The city centre is to a large extent a pedestrian zone. The Prague metro connects the peripheral districts with the town centre quickly and comfortably.

Prague is an important cultural centre in Europe. It has more than 20 theatres, 50 art galleries and exhibition halls, 35 museums, dozens of concert halls, libraries, cultural and other centres.

Prague bridges

Charles Bridge at dusk