Prague Czech Republic is one of the most beautiful cities not only in the Czech Republic, but in the world, and is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. After a visit to this city you will surely see why it has been called the "Mother of Cities", "the City of a Hundred Spires", and "the Golden City". With annual visitor numbers totalling several million, Prague Czech Republic is one of Europe’s most visited cities. The capital has been the political, cultural and economic centre of the Czech lands for more than 1100 years and today is home to 1.2 million people.

Almost in the middle of this capital is located Wenceslas square (Václavské náměstí) from which you can get to the Old Town Square (Staroměstské náměstí) with its world famous Astronomical Clock. Along this walk you will pass through the famous Powder Tower (Prašná brána). As a next priority while in Prague you should not miss Charles Bridge (Karlův most) as well as the original castle settlement of ancient Czech kings called Vyšehrad. And for the romantics we can recommend Petrin hill (Petřín), where everyone can find their own best way through the wonderfully calming nature to the Petrin watchtower.

Archaeological finds show that the area was first settled in the Palaeolithic era. Several thousands of years ago, a very important route connecting Northern and Southern Europe ran through Prague. Around 500 BC, Germanic tribes called Bois settled here. They gave a name to the territory where the city was located –

Bohemia

– and to the river which runs through the city – Vltava.
The Přemyslid royal dynasty was important not only for Prague but for the whole nation. According to legend, young Princess Libuše, the country’s first and last female ruler, fell into a trance and prophesied: “I see a great city, whose glory will touch the stars!“ And what she foretold came true. Libuše married a ploughman called Přemysl, thus giving his name to the Přemyslid dynasty, which ruled over Bohemia for several centuries.

In the sixth century the first settlement of Slavic tribes was established here, on a hill called Žiži or Sizi, where Prince Bořivoj built a small church in the 9th century. It was a very significant site, and the church was the second Slavic place of worship in the Czech lands. The church was dedicated to the Virgin Mary. Bořivoj’s son, Spytihněv I, built a royal palace there at the beginning of the 10th century. Prague Castle was later built on the same site, which during the 10th century became an important trade centre. Another significant medieval building in Prague was Vyšehrad fortress, which was for a long time the seat of the ancient Kings of Bohemia.

In the Middle Ages Prague enjoyed its biggest boom during the reign of Charles IV; in the 14th century an archbishopric was established in the city, and in 1348 Charles University, the first university in Central Europe, was openned. In the same year Prague's New Town was founded. Charles IV rebuilt Prague Castle and Vyšehrad and began the construction of the most beautiful bridge in Europe – Charles Bridge. He raised the status of the city, making it the centre of the Holy Roman Empire. The most important buildings in Prague Czech Republic were constructed in a particular Gothic style known as the Bohemian School. During the reign of Charles IV the Czech lands were among the most powerful countries in Europe.

At the beginning of the 15th century Minister Jan Hus lived in Prague Czech Republic. He was rector of Charles University and also a preacher at the Bethlehem Chapel (Betlémská kaple). Jan Hus was tried for his Protestant beliefs, and after he refused to recant he was burnt at the stake as a heretic in 1415. His death sparked the Hussite Wars, a rebellion that spread through the whole country.
The third Prague defenestration in 1618 was the beginning of the Battle of White Mountain, which was fought in the city. It ended with the execution of 27 Czechs – the leaders of the revolt of Bohemian Estates – on Old Town Square

During the 15th century a large Jewish community srung up in Prague, which was also the largest in Central Europe. Maybe this is a reason why this period in Prague’s history is called the Golden Era of Jewish Prague. The community numbered more than 15,000 citizens, which was almost 30% of Prague‘s population. When Empress Maria Theresa came to the throne, the Jewish community in Prague was victimised as a result of the belief that the Jews had collaborated with the Prussian army. From then on the Jewish population in Prague endured constant persecution.

At the beginning of 19th century there was a huge technological boom, and in 1842 the first railway line to Prague was built.
When the First World War ended the free and independent state of Czechoslovakia was declared, with Prague as its capital. The city was home to many minorities, especially German speakers.

During the Second World War, Prague suffered aerial bombardment, and many buildings were destroyed. A lot of Prague citizens were killed or sent to concentration camps, and the war was catastrophic for Prague’s Jewish community. On 5 May, 1945, the people of Prague, with the help of the Soviet Army, rose in revolt against the Nazis, and this day is commemorated as the end of the war.
After 1948 Prague became the centre of communist political power in Czechoslovakia and also the centre of the national resistance against it. The Prague Spring (1967-1968) showed that the anti-communist movement might be able to win its fight for freedom. The subsequent occupation of Czechoslovakia by the Soviet Army showed the enormous power of the Soviet Union.

In 1989 the desire of Czechs and Slovaks for liberation was so great that hundreds of thousands of people from all over the country came to Wenceslas Square to show their discontent during the Velvet Revolution, the largest revolution in the history of Czechoslovakia. As a result of these peaceful demonstrations the totalitarian era was brought to an end. In 1993 Czechoslovakia split into the Czech and Slovak Republics.

Since then Prague has been the capital of the Czech Republic and a trade, cultural and political centre. After 1990 major reconstruction work began in Prague, and the city began to attract many tourists from all over the world. Today Prague Czech Republic is a city of art, culture and music, and above all it is making every effort to be at the heart of Europe once again.