2. Maturitní téma - Prague

PRAGUE

• capital and the largest city in the Czech republic

• situated in the middle of Bohemia and it lies of the river Vltava

• 1.2 million inhabitants

• 14 largest city in the European Union

• it occupies the area of 500 sq. km

• historical, business and financial and industrial centre and a transport crossroad

• it´s a seat of the president, government and parliament

• 1918 - became the capital city of the independent Czechoslovak Republic

• Czechoslovakia split (rozdělit) into two independent states, so on 1st January 1993 Prague became the capital of the Czech Republic

• it´s sometimes called “the golden city of a hundred spires (věžička), the heart of Europe, or mother of towns”

• Charles IV established an Archbishopric, founded Charles University (in 1348) and the New Town, Charles Bridge and St. Vitus Cathedral.

• Prague Castle was founded in the 19 century by the Prince Bořivoj and it became the seat of the Přemyslid dynasty. In the past, it was the residence of the Czech kings and since 1918 it has become the residence of the Czech presidents.

• If you visit Prague Castle, you will not be disappointed by Spanish Hall, Rudolph Gallery and the Vladislav Hall, where the election (volby) of the President takes place. From the Castle, tourists can admire (obdivovat) the city below with the roofs of Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque houses and hundreds of church spires for which Prague is famous.

• The most impressive building at the Castle is St. Vitus Cathedral. It was completed in 1929. This is the work of two famous architects, Mathias of Arras and Petr Parléř.

• Lesser Town is a poetic quarter with crooked (zahnutý) streets, stylish taverns, old houses and palaces and romantic gardens. The jewel of Baroque architecture is St. Nicholas Temple in the Lesser Town Square.

• Charles Bridge over the river Vltava is the oldest bridge in Prague. It is decorated with Baroque statues and it´s the most famous and beautiful bridge. It is 10 m wide and 520 m long. Parts of the bridge are two bridge towers: one at the Old Town side and two at the Lesser Town side.

• In the Old Town Square are many memories, like the John Hus Monument, the Týn Church, the Old Town Hall with an astronomical clock.

• Prague boasts (chlubit se) many more places, for example: Charles University, the oldest university in Central and Eastern Europe, Jewish Town, the Powder Tower, Vyšehrad castle with the burial (pohřeb) of famous personalities of the Czech culture and political life, the National Theatre, Wenceslas Square, etc. There are many banks, department stores, boutiques, shops, hotels, restaurants, cafés, theatres and cinemas. In the upper part stands the St. Wenceslas Memorial and the National Museum.

• Prague is not only a historical city. Now residential areas have been built on the borders. It is an important road, rail, air (Václav Havel Airport) and river transport junction and industrial centre of the Czech Republic.

Places of interest

Petrin Tower

It is with a height of over 63.5 meters one of the most famous landmarks of Prague. Its base is located on Petrin Hill in Lesser Town, in Prague 1. Construction started in March 1891. Tower has 300 stairs and elevator. From the tower you can see the all of Prague, such as Prague Castle. Furthermore you can see the mountain Říp, České středohoří, Krkonoše and Brdy.