Prague

Prague
GENERAL INFORMATION
It is the biggest city and the capital city od the Czech republic.
It is located in Central Bohemia on both banks of the Vltava river.
Its population is 1,2 million people.
Prague is a cosmopolitan city because there are many different nationalities.
It’s a popular tourist destination.
It’s an important political, cultural and economic centre. It’s a seat of many political institutions such as: government, Chamber of Deputies and Senate. Also many cultural and educational institutions such as: National museum, National theatre, State opera house, Estates theatre, the Jewish museum, National gallery, National technical museum and Charles university.
Prague is known as “the Golden city” and “the City of 100 Spires”.
HISTORY
The city was founded in the 9th century.A legend connects the founding of Prague with Pricess Libuše of Přemyslid dynasty who predicted the future glory of Prague.In the latter of the 10th ventury was built St. Vitus Rotunda, the Prince´s Palace and o convent with church on Hradčany. In the 11th century was built castle Vyšehrad.

One of the most important rulers of Bohemia was Charles IV. (1316-1378). He founded Charles university, St. Vitus cathedral, Charles bridge and the New Town. During his reign, Prague was capital of the Holy Roman Emperor.

Then the Habsburg dynasty ruled in Czech countries until the year 1918 when Prague became the capital of Czechoslovakia.

In 1939 Prague was occupied by German troops and in 1968 by Warsaw Pact troops. In 1989 the Velvet Revolution started in Prague on Národní Street.

Another historic personality connected to Prague was a religious reformer Jan Hus who was burnt at the stake on 6th July 1415, because he criticised religious moral decay of the Catholic Church.

MUSEUMS, THEATRES, GALLERIES:

• We have many theatres, galleries and museums there.

• The National Museum at the top of Wenceslas Square. Famous for its precious stones, huge whale skeleton or archaeological findings.

• The National Technical Museum is famous for old trams, cars, locomotives or planes.

• The Military Museum has a few buildings in Prague and it shows equipment of Czech Army.

• The National Gallery which is spread out in various Prague spots, but the most famous one is on Hradčany.

• The National Theatre in Prague was built in 1881 in late renaissance style from the public money collection of the people. Before its ceremonial opening it was damaged by fire and it was rebuilt. The designers were Vojtěch Hynais, Josef Mánes and František Ženíšek.

• Other theatres in Prague are the Estate Theatre (Old Town), the Semafor or Na zábradlí theatre.

• Sports centres – O2 Arena (used for different sports and cultural events), Letná Stadium (football)

HISTORICAL CENTRE:

Vyšehrad

• It was built probably in the 10th century. It became the seat of Czech Princess of Přemyslid dynasty. At the Vyšehrad Cemetery are buried famous people from Czech history (Bedřich Smetana, Karel Čapek, Antonín Dvořák). There is also the Church of St. Peter and St. Paul and Rotunda of St. Martin.