History
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Prague is the capital of the Czech Republic and it is a political, cultural and economy center. It is also the biggest city of the country and because of its location and character it is often called The Heart of Europe, City of Hundred Spires, The Mother of Cities or The Golden City. Czech Republic has about 10 milion inhabitants and thereout ca 1.3 million people live in Prague. Across from Prague flows river Vltava.
The historical Prague center (866 hectares) was in 1992 listed in the UNESCO World Cultural and Natural Heritrage Register!
o Area of the contemporary Czech Republic was from 6th century settled by Slavs.
o Prague itself was founded in ca. 880 when Prague Castle was estabilished by prince Borivoj. So it happened that the Prague Castle became a center of Czech country and a seat of monarch.
o In 10th century are laid foundations of St. Vitus Cathedral by building churches and chapels on the Prague Catle. At that time was founded also Vysehrad Castle.
o 1172 was laid a foundation-stone of the 1st stone bridge over Vltava. It was Judith´s Bridge (Juditin most). But you would be looking for it to no purpose because in 1342 it was destryed by a flood. Though, even if it was replaced by Charles Bridge a bit later, so far there are visible relics of Judith´s Bridge around.
o Old Town (Stare mesto) and Lesser Town (Mala strana) were estabilished in 13th century.
o 14th century is Prague´s Golden Age. Probably it is because of Charles IV. – the most beloved Czech king and a Roman Emperor. He did a lot for prosperity of Prague and the whole central Europe. At that time begins the construction of St. Vitus Cathedral and the New Town is founded. Charles estabilishes also the Charles University which is the 3rd oldest University in Europe. It is also a start of constructing the Charles Bridge.
o 15th century is a reformation time full of religious conflicts between Hussits and the Roman Catholic Church. Because of wars many historical monuments were destroyed.
o Thank to Rudolph II. Prague passes through Second Golden Age in 16the century. Rudplph is from dynasty of Habsburgs and he is a Holy Roman emperor as well. Under his control Prague becomes a center of science and alchemy and get a nick name “Magic Prague”. Many famous historical personalities as Johannes Kepler or Tycho de Brahe acts in Prague.
o Second Golden Age is in 17th century changed by so called Dark Age which starts by the Battle of the White Mountain in 1620. Protestants are defeated and Prague loses its importance… It is under the rule of Habsburgs and a Roman Curch what makes itself felt in culture very much.
o No wnonder that “Dark Age” must by changed by people again. In the end of 18th century begins a Czech nationalist movement called the National Revival (Narodni obrozeni) which have an aim to bring Czech culture, especially language and national identity back to life. This was supported also by the contemporary ruler Joseph II. by issuing Edict of Tolerance for political and religious minorities.
o In 19th century begins the Industrial revolution. National Theatre and National Museum are in context of it opened.
o In 1918 becomes Prague a capital city of an independent Czechoslovakia after the fall of Austro-Hungarian empire. Prague castle becomes a seat of our 1st president Tomas Garrique Masaryk. Then the World Wars come… During the second one Prague and the Czech republic is occupied by German Nazis and in the end of it Prague is liberated by Soviet Red Army what is only a start of an increasing power of a Communist Party. Even when there were efforts to make a communism “with human face” (they were called “Prague Spring”), Prague and the Czechoslovakia did not manage to face the situation so it happened that in 1968 we were invaded by countries of Warsaw Pact. However, the Velvet Revolution started on 17th November 1989, knocked down the rule of communism and brought an independent Czechoslovakia with famous Vaclav Havel as a president. In 1993 Czechoslowakia devided in Czech republic and Slovakia. We joined NATO in 1999 and entered EU in 2004.
o Prague itself was founded in ca. 880 when Prague Castle was estabilished by prince Borivoj. So it happened that the Prague Castle became a center of Czech country and a seat of monarch.
o In 10th century are laid foundations of St. Vitus Cathedral by building churches and chapels on the Prague Catle. At that time was founded also Vysehrad Castle.
o 1172 was laid a foundation-stone of the 1st stone bridge over Vltava. It was Judith´s Bridge (Juditin most). But you would be looking for it to no purpose because in 1342 it was destryed by a flood. Though, even if it was replaced by Charles Bridge a bit later, so far there are visible relics of Judith´s Bridge around.
o Old Town (Stare mesto) and Lesser Town (Mala strana) were estabilished in 13th century.
o 14th century is Prague´s Golden Age. Probably it is because of Charles IV. – the most beloved Czech king and a Roman Emperor. He did a lot for prosperity of Prague and the whole central Europe. At that time begins the construction of St. Vitus Cathedral and the New Town is founded. Charles estabilishes also the Charles University which is the 3rd oldest University in Europe. It is also a start of constructing the Charles Bridge.
o 15th century is a reformation time full of religious conflicts between Hussits and the Roman Catholic Church. Because of wars many historical monuments were destroyed.
o Thank to Rudolph II. Prague passes through Second Golden Age in 16the century. Rudplph is from dynasty of Habsburgs and he is a Holy Roman emperor as well. Under his control Prague becomes a center of science and alchemy and get a nick name “Magic Prague”. Many famous historical personalities as Johannes Kepler or Tycho de Brahe acts in Prague.
o Second Golden Age is in 17th century changed by so called Dark Age which starts by the Battle of the White Mountain in 1620. Protestants are defeated and Prague loses its importance… It is under the rule of Habsburgs and a Roman Curch what makes itself felt in culture very much.
o No wnonder that “Dark Age” must by changed by people again. In the end of 18th century begins a Czech nationalist movement called the National Revival (Narodni obrozeni) which have an aim to bring Czech culture, especially language and national identity back to life. This was supported also by the contemporary ruler Joseph II. by issuing Edict of Tolerance for political and religious minorities.
o In 19th century begins the Industrial revolution. National Theatre and National Museum are in context of it opened.
o In 1918 becomes Prague a capital city of an independent Czechoslovakia after the fall of Austro-Hungarian empire. Prague castle becomes a seat of our 1st president Tomas Garrique Masaryk. Then the World Wars come… During the second one Prague and the Czech republic is occupied by German Nazis and in the end of it Prague is liberated by Soviet Red Army what is only a start of an increasing power of a Communist Party. Even when there were efforts to make a communism “with human face” (they were called “Prague Spring”), Prague and the Czechoslovakia did not manage to face the situation so it happened that in 1968 we were invaded by countries of Warsaw Pact. However, the Velvet Revolution started on 17th November 1989, knocked down the rule of communism and brought an independent Czechoslovakia with famous Vaclav Havel as a president. In 1993 Czechoslowakia devided in Czech republic and Slovakia. We joined NATO in 1999 and entered EU in 2004.
Maria Theresia Taler used to be a very important currency in the world trade since 1753.
Going Prague Suggestions and Tips:Would you like to find out more? Visit Wikipedia to learn more about Prague History
Available books (Amazon U.K.) or here (Amazon U.S.) regarding Prague History.
Available books (Amazon U.K.) or here (Amazon U.S.) regarding Prague History.
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21-11-2008
Temperature: 4°C
Humidity: 81%
Wind: 19km/h
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Humidity: 81%
Wind: 19km/h
Visibility: 10km
forecast
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