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

 

National Museum

-          the upper end of the square is closed by the Neo-Renaissance building of the National Museum from the end of the 19th century which contains historical and natural history collections

 

Vocabulary:

prophesied - věštit

establish - založit

troops - vojska

sovereign - nejvyšší, panovník

shrine - svatyně

crooked - křivolaký

masterpiece - mistrovské dílo

monastery - klášter