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History & Evolution

Prague's story goes back to the distant days of the Celtic tribes, as early as 400BC. The city's real golden age commenced when Charles IV of Bohemia was elected Holy Roman Emperor in 1346. The ambitious Gothic building programme, including St Vitus Cathedral, Charles Bridge, the University, and the New Town (Nové Mesto), centred on Wenceslas Square and transformed the city into one of the greatest and most powerful in Europe.

The 20th century brought massive trauma for Czechoslovakia and Prague as the country was occupied by the Germans during World War II and then spent the best part of five decades subjugated under Soviet communist rule, with attempts to win greater democracy in the 1968's ‘Prague Spring' brutally crushed under the weight of Russian tanks. The Czech spirit remained undaunted and in 1989, as the Berlin Wall tumbled, the Czechs finally broke free of communism during the ‘Velvet Revolution', which was quickly followed by the ‘Velvet Divorce' as the Slovak portion of the old Czechoslovakia chose to go its own way.

With poet and president Vaclav Havel at the helm, Prague became the hub of the post-communist eastern European revival with expats flocking to the city in the 1990s, quickly developing a buzz that brought comparisons with 1920s Paris. This post Velvet Revolution buzz has faded to some extent and these days there are as many foreign as Czech voices on the streets with the city massively popular as a tourist destination (particularly for weekend breaks with a phalanx of budget airline routes now operating from all over Europe) and as a business hub. In May 2004, the Czech Republic joined the European Union, further cementing the city's importance and popularity.

Part of Prague's charm is that it is a rewarding place to visit at any time of year. Winters can be long, harsh and dark, but spring and autumn are often idyllic with summer bringing some very warm central European temperatures. Whether easing under Charles Bridge on a rowing boat on a balmy summer evening, or trudging across the crisp snow of the Old Town Square and enjoying a glass of mulled wine at the Christmas Market, the slick, but still deeply characterful Czech capital seldom disappoints.

Site-Seeing
Prague is the entertainment hub of the Czech Republic, and has a really lively nightlife- there are lots of pubs, nightclubs, cinemas and discotheques, so die-hard night birds will find plenty to amuse themselves with. For those looking for a cultural experience, there are a number of venues where performances of theatre, dance and music (both classical as well as contemporary and folk) are held regularly. The daily Prague Post carries listings of events- watch out for venues like the National Theatre (for opera, ballet and theatre). If you’re interested in attending one of these, you’d do well to pick up the official `Calendar of Events’, available in English, from the Cedok office; the booklet provides detailed information on what’s being held where.

In addition, Prague has a large number of museums and art galleries- among the best are the National Gallery, the Czech Museum of Fine Arts, and the Prague Wax Museum.

Old Town Square (Staromestské Námestí)
Prague Old Town from Tyn Church

The heart of the old city and the market place since the 11th century, the Old Town Square is Prague’s prettiest and most lively square with historical facades and a cobbled surface. It still hosts a variety of markets, especially the yearly Christmas market which is enchanting. In the centre is the odd Art Nouveau monument to the religious reformer, Jan Hus, a national symbol for the Czech people. The Old Town Hall features an ornate Gothic Astronomical clock showing three different times, in front of which throngs of people gather on the hour to watch the brief mechanical performance of apostles, Christ, a skeleton and a rooster. Tourists can climb the tower for a behind the scenes look at the mechanics as well as a view from the top. On opposite sides of the square are two magnificent churches: Prague’s greatest Baroque building, St Nicholas, with its distinctly visible dome, and the more striking Týn Church, a fabulous Gothic structure with its twin spires a noticeable feature on the Prague skyline.

Address: Staré Mesto;

Other:
he 12th-century Old Town Square is the focal point for tourists. Horse-drawn carriages and vintage cars await those wishing to take a tour of the historic centre. In summer, tables spill out from the restaurants, while in December, the square hosts the city's largest Christmas Market. The centre is dominated by the monumental memorial to the 14th-century religious reformer, Jan Hus. The Prague Meridian is also found here, designating kilometre zero, from which all distances in the city are measured. All of the palaces, churches and houses around the square are of major historical interest. The Gothic Staromestská Radnice (Old Town Hall) with its Astronomical Clock is a must for visitors. It strikes hourly (0900-2100), when the upper portion (dating to the early 15th century) reveals the Apostles at two windows. Beware the pickpockets who flock to the chimes as eagerly as the tourists. Just off the square, to the east, is the superb Gothic Chrám Matky Boží Pred Týnem (Tyn Church), where the tomb of the astronomer Tycho Brahe is found.

Charles Bridge (Karluv Most)
On Charles Bridge at dusk © Czech Tourism

The pedestrian Charles Bridge serves as the focal point for tourists and is the most photographed feature of the city. Construction began in 1357 replacing the earlier Judith Bridge of which the only remaining part is one of the towers at the Malá Strana gate that can be climbed for a view of the city. Up until 1841 this was the only bridge in the city. Throngs of people pick their way through the happy congestion caused by buskers, artists and musicians lining the bridge, positioned between the saintly sandstone statues that make this the most picturesque and lively of attractions.

Other:
Karluv Most (Charles Bridge)

The construction of Prague's most famous and most photographed location was begun in 1357, as part of Charles IV's monumental building programme that included the Castle, St Vitus Cathedral and the University. All were supervised by the Swabian architect Peter Parler (although the bridge construction is now known to have been begun by Master Otto). The bridge replaced the earlier Judita (Judith) bridge, the only surviving remnant of which is the plainer of the two towers on the Malá Strana gate. The bridge itself is rather drab and it is the later statues (Jesuit additions during the Counter-Reformation), which flank the bridge, that have made it so visually stunning. The first of these (the Crucifixion) was erected in 1657, followed soon after by the only bronze statue, that of St John of Nepomuk (who was martyred after being thrown from the bridge). Most of the other statues of the saints (carved from local sandstone by Josef Brokof and Matthias Braun) were added between 1706 and 1714 (the latest was not added until 1928). Due to pollution, most have been replaced and the originals are housed in the Lapidarium in Letná Park. Many tourists wonder about the wooden constructions at the base of the pilings on the upriver side - these protect against ice floes and logjams during the spring melt-off.

The fully pedestrianised bridge serves as a focal point for tourists. There are stalls of various artists and craftspeople lining the bridge, while buskers of all descriptions (from Dixieland jazz bands to puppeteers) provide a constant source of entertainment and often congestion. Strolling across as the sun comes down while a young violinist wafts music across the Vltava is one of the quintessential Prague experiences. Location: Staré Mesto (Old Town)

The Castle Panorama:
features just about all the historic architectural styles; it’s not an exaggeration to say that you are looking at 1,000 years’ worth of European architecture.