13 - Prague1..doc

Prague

Prague is said to be the city lying right in the heart of Europe. Others call it "hundred-towered Prague". Prague is the capital and the largest city in the Czech Republic. It is the seat of the president, parliament, government and other highest state and political bodies of the Czech Republic. Moreover a large quantity of social, cultural, educational and scientific institutions operate here. Prague is also an important business and financial center.

Prague has a large number of monuments. The most famous are Hradčany, with Prague Castle which was founded in the ninth century. Prague became a center of European significance during the government of the king and emperor Charles IV who established the New Town and Charles University in 1348.

Prague Castle is a part of Hradčany. In the past it was the residence of the Czech kings and since 1918 it has become the residence of our presidents. If you visit Prague Castle you will not be disappointed by the late Gothic Vladislav hall of Saint Vitus Cathedral, where the tombs of the Czech kings are located and the crown jewels are housed. Prague Castle offers a beautiful view of The Lesser Quarter, the National Theatre, the Church of Saint Nicholas and other interesting parts of Prague.

The river Vltava flows through Prague, that is why large number of bridges has been built in the past. The most famous, and also the most beautiful, is Charles Bridge, which was built in 1357. A unique set of 31 sculptures of the bridge was added from the 17th to the 20th centuries.

Among the most frequently visited places in Prague is the Old Town Square where a large number of monuments are situated. In the middle is a monument to Master Jan Hus and at the edge is Týnský Church. The Old Town Hall was built in the 14th century. In the 15th century a horological clock, much admired by tourists, was added to the City Hall's Tower, in the second half of the 19th century circular calendar plaque by Josef Mánes was added to it.

Another frequented place is Wenceslas Square, which is the longest in the country (750 m). In its upper part is the statue of the Czech prince Saint Weceslas. Nearby is the National Museum. On Wenceslas Square we can find a large quantity of shops, restaurants, banks and exchange offices.

Old Prague is very beautiful and we can certainly say that it is really the most interesting part of our beautiful city. Unfortunately in other parts a lot of housing blocks and concrete-panel houses were built, which to some extent damage the whole city's reputation. There is now a modern underground, but traffic is still a problem.

Prague


Prague is the capital city of the Czech Republic, the seat of the President, government and parliament and the political, cultural and economic center of the country. It spreads out on both banks of the river Vltava in the center of Bohemia. It covers area about 500 km2 and it has 1.2 million inhabitants.
A legend connects the foundation of Prague with princess Libuše. In the 9th century Prince Bořivoj founded a castle above Vltava and it became the seat of princess. In next centuries Prague came the center of the country. Charles IV. (from Luxembourg dynasty) established an Archbishop, founded Charles university and during his reign it flourished and grew. He founded New Town and promoted the construction of Charles Bridge and St. Vitus Cathedral. In the 15th century Prague became the center of Hussite movement. In 1420 Jan Žižka defeated crusaders on Vítkov hill. At the end of the 16th century Prague regained its cosmopolitan character again when it became the seat Rudolf II. On November 8, 1620 the Czech estates rose up against the Habsburgs and were defeated in the Battle of the White mountain. A few month later, in 1621, 27 representatives of the uprising were executed in the Old Town Square. The Thirty Years War, re-catholicization and germanization followed. At the 18th century Prague became center of Czech cultural life when Czech scholars and writers began process of the national revival. In 1918 Prague was capital of the independent Czechoslovakia. In 1939 it was occupied by German troops and in 1942 severely persecuted after the assassination of the Nazi deputy protector Reinhard Heydrich. After the Prague Uprising against the fascists the town was liberated by the Russian on 9th May. The August occupation of Prague in 1968 stopped the democratic reforms in the country and began hte process of normalisation. On 17th November, 1989 the Velvet Revolution began democratic changes in our society. The whole process continued with the splitting of former federal Czechoslovakia into two independent states. Prague became the capital city of the Czech Republic.
The Prague castle is the seat of president. We can find there many gothic, renaissance and baroque houses and palaces. The monumental complex of the castle includes three courtyards and over 700 rooms with the late Gothic Vladislav Hall and the newly redecorated Spanish Hall and Rudolf Gallery.
The most impressive building at the castle is St. Vitus cathedral. It was completed in 1929, a thousand years after the foundation by Charles IV. The cathedral is projected by two big architects - Petr Parléř and Matyáš z Arrasu. Next impressive building in the Prague castle is Basilica of St. George. In the castle we can find many palaces with gardens too. One of famous is Schwarzenberg palace. The famous part of the castle is golden Lane. During reign of Rudolf II. in these small houses lived a lot of alchemist.
Near the Prague castle is situated hill Petřín with famous Observation Tower. On Petřín is the second biggest stadium of the world - Strahov. We can find there Strahov monastery too. It is seat of big library.
The Lesser Town is one of beatiful parts in Prague. If we go to Charles Bridge, we can go through Neruda street, in which was borned on of the biggest writer - Jan Neruda. Near this street is St. Nicholas churche. It was built in baroque style. One of the most famous part of Prague is the Old town square with astronomical clock. On this square is the House by Bell - it was built in gothic style. Next famous square is St. Wencezslav square - we call this square the centre of Prague. There is a lot of expensive and luxus hotels and shops. In Prague we can find many historical building and speaking about them would be very long.

PRAGUE

-          it is the capital of the Czech Republic, the seat of the President, government and parliament and the political, cultural and economic centre of the country

-          it spreads out on both banks of the river Vltava in the centre of Bohemia

-          it covers an area of almost 500km2 and it has 1,2 million inhabitants

-          the whole city consists of 10 administrative districts

History

A legend connects the foundation of Prague with Princess Libuše of the Přemyslid dynasty who prophesied the future glory of Prague which "would touch the stars". The Slavs came to the Prague valley in the 6th century. In the 9th century Prince Bořivoj founded a castle on a headland above the Vltava valley and it became the seat of princes of the Přemyslid dynasty.

Prague became the imperial residence of Charles IV. and during his reign it flourish and grew. Charles IV. established an Archbishopric (1344), founded Charles University (1348) and the New Town, and promoted the construction of Charles Bridge and St. Vitus Cathedral.

In the 15th century Prague was the centre of the Hussite movement. At the end of the 16th century Prague regained its cosmopolitan character again when it became the seat of Rudolph II., who invited artists and scientists there. At the end of the 18th century it became the centre of Czech natural life.

In 1918 Prague was the capital of the independent Czechoslovak Republic. In 1939 it was occupied by German troops. After the Prague Uprising against the fascists the town was liberated by the Russians on 9th May 1945. On 1st January 1993, Prague became the capital of the Czech Republic.

Prague Castle

-          the seat of the President and it is the dominant of the city

-          more than one thousand years old; from the 9th century to 1918 it was the official seat and place of coronation of Czech sovereigns and since 1918 it has been the seat of the Presidents

-          the monumental complex of the castle includes three courtyards and over 700 rooms among which the late Gothic Vladislav Hall, and the newly redecorated Spanish Hall and Rudolph Gallery are the most renowned

-          the Vladislav Hall is one of the most memorable places at the Castle since it has always been the scene of the most significant acts of state

The Cathedral of St. Vitus

-          is the most impressive building at the Castle

-          the biggest of Prague's churches; it is the mausoleum of the Kings of Bohemia and the shrine of the symbols of State sovereignty - the royal crown and the other coronation jewels

-          the present cathedral is the result of the work of two famous architects - Matthias of Arras and Petr Parléř

The Lesser Town

-          a poetic quarter with picturesque crooked streets, stylish taverns, ancient houses and places and romantic gardens

-          the jewel of Baroque architecture is St. Nicholas Church in Lesser Town Square, the masterpiece of Dientzenhofer and Lurago

On the left side of the river Vltava is also Strahov Monastery - founded in the 12th century, it is now a Museum of Czech literature and Petřín Observation Tower - it was built for the Jubilee Exhibition in 1891 as a free copy of the Eiffel Tower

Charles Bridge

-          the oldest and most charming bridge in Prague

-          it has become a favourite place for walks and tourist attraction

-          it is 520 m long and is decorated with 30 sculptures and groups of statues by the best-known artists (M.B. Brown, J. Brokoff, F. Maxmilian)

Old Town Square

-          surrounded by buildings of every Czech architectural period; the centre of the Square is beautified by the John Huss Monument

-          in the 11th - 12th century it was the interesting point of trade routes and most important town market-place; in 1621, 27 representatives of the uprising were executed here

-          the best known building in the square is the Old Town Hal, tourists come to see a horologe with statues of the Apostles on the tower

-          near this square is the huge Týn Church, the dominant building of the Old Town

Old Jewish cemetery

-          one of the most important in the Jewish world

-          almost 20,000 Jews are buried in this one small space, one atop the other

-          there is also the Old-New Synagogue

Wenceslas Square

-          the modern centre of Prague, the main boulevard and a shopping, cultural and social centre; the seat of hotels, restaurants, banks, shops and entertainment

-          this square, originally called the Horse Market, was the biggest market-place in the New Town; in 1786 there was built a wooden theatre, called Bouda, where performances were given up to 1789 - it was the 1st permanent Czech theatre

-          the square acquired its present name in 1848

-          the St. Wenceslas Monument is a work of Josef Václav Myslbek, it is a symbol of the Republic

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