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PRAGUE - Sightseeing Highlights
Prague's present form was established by the Premyslid
King Otakar II (1253-78) when the town was re-organised
into three administrative districts: the Castle precincts
(Hradcany), the Lesser Town below the Castle (Malá Strana)
and Old Town (Staré Mesto). Across the river; the
Jewish community was moved from Lesser Town to the Josefov
ghetto to provide room for German traders.
The city's golden age commenced when Charles IV of Bohemia was elected Holy Roman
Emperor in 1346. The ambitious Gothic building programme including St Vitus Cathedral,
the Charles Bridge, the University, and the New Town (Nové Mesto) centred
on Wenceslas Square, transformed the city into one of the greatest and most powerful
in Europe. In reaction to Hapsburg rule, Czech nationalism re-asserted itself
in the late eighteenth century. Throughout the nineteenth century, the development
of a nationalistic architectural style brought further changes. Later still,
the Jewish ghetto was razed to make way for Art Nouveau buildings.
At the end of World War I, Czechoslovakia gained its independence.
Freed from the censorship and constraints of the Austro-Hungarian
Empire, Prague blossomed as new artistic styles were embraced
and developed; Cubism, Art Deco and Functionalism found
a niche in its arts and architecture. Strong influences
came from America as Prague was ripe for the importation
of Jazz Age popular culture. Parallels with the 1990s are
inescapable; in both cases, Prague took what it wanted
while retaining its unique identity. Not even decades of
German and Communist suppression successfully stifled the
Czech spirit. Prague dramatically threw off stark social
realism and in the 1990s has reclaimed its reputation for
cultural excellence.
PRAGUE – The City
 Like Rome, Prague is built on seven hills. On the left
(western) bank of the Vltava, the wedge-shaped plateau
called Hradcany rises abruptly from a narrow ribbon of
land along the shore. One of the four great cities of
Central Europe (the other three being Vienna, Krakow
and Budapest), Prague lay on important travel routes
crossing Europe from Germany, Poland, Russia and the
East.
The toll levied on the Judith Bridge across the Vltava
brought in revenue for the crown: the town benefited from
the supply of goods and services. The construction of the
Charles Bridge in 1357 was a practical necessity, since
flood waters had all but swept away its predecessor.
PLACES OF INTEREST
CASTLE PRECINCTS (Hradcany)
Prague Castle - Despite many wars and fires, Prague Castle has grown into a
unique architectural complex, the largest medieval castle complex in Europe.
The castle was established on this site during the 9th
century and a Romanesque palace was erected during the
12th century. In the 14th century, under the reign of Charles
IV, it was rebuilt to Gothic style. The final reconstruction
of the Royal Palace took place under King Vladislav Jagillo
at the end of the 15th century, and at that time the builder
Benedikt Rejt added the now-famous Vladislav Hall, also
in Gothic style.
The castle was enlarged in the 16th century, mainly after
a big fire in 1541. The Spanish Hall in a new part of the
castle was added during the reign of Rudolf II, and took
its final form in the time of Empress Maria Theresa - under
direction of the architect M. Pacassi.
After World War I the interior and gardens of the castle
were renovated by the architect J. Plecnik.
Today, the Castle is the seat of the President of the
Czech Republic, and it serves as the historical and political
centre of both city and state.
St Vitus Cathedral
The earliest church on the site of St Vitus was a small Romanesque rotunda,
founded by Duke (later Saint) Wenceslas around 925. When Prague became an
archbishopric in 1344, the future Charles IV summoned Matthias of Arras of
Avignon to build a cathedral. After his death Petr Parler took over and completed
much of the structure in late-Gothic style. Over the following centuries
renaissance and baroque details were added and the job was completed in 1929.
The most beautiful of numerous side chapels, Parler's Chapel of St Wenceslas,
houses the crown jewels and the tomb of “Good King” Wenceslas.
There are many superb examples of 20th century Czech stained glass and marvellous
pieces of art, for example a wooden relief by Caspar Bechterle that shows the
escape of Frederik of the Palatinate from Prague in 1621, and wooden Crucifixion
by František Bílek. The Royal Crypt contains the remains of Charles
IV, Wenceslas IV, George of Podìbrady and Rudolf II.
There are excellent views from the Great Tower on a clear day.
LESSER TOWN (Malá Strana)
The Lesser Town was founded in 1257 on the slopes below
the Prague castle
Charles Bridge (Karlùv most)
Named after the Emperor Charles IV in 19th century the Charles Bridge is Prague's
most familiar monument. Charles IV laid the foundation stone in 1357 but did
not live to see it completed in 1383. Designed by Petr Parler, this 516-m bridge
with 16 graceful arches connects the Lesser Town with the Old Town. Although
it is now pedestrianised, it withstood wheeled traffic for 600 years. The Charles
Bridge has witnessed many dramatic events. During the Middle Ages, dishonest
traders were suspended from the bridge in wicker baskets. In 1621 the heads
of the executed Bohemian nobles who had fought against the Habsburgs were exhibited
on the tower. The bridge also served as the venue for signing of the treaty
that put an end to the Thirty Years War. There are thirty statues on the bridge;
many of them have been replaced with copies. Originals are kept in the Lapidarium
of the National Museum and at Vyšehrad. The magnificent Gothic Old Town
Bridge Tower was designed by Petr Parler and built at the end of the 14th century.
It is considered the finest Gothic tower in central Europe, mainly for its
decoration. There are marvellous views of the Vltava river Valley, the Žofín,
Støelecký Island, the Old Town and the Lesser Town.
OLD TOWN (Staré Mesto).
Mentioned in 1091, it is the oldest of the towns of Prague
and gained the privileges of a town in the 13th century.
However, its name dates back to the 14th century when
the New Town was founded. The centre of the Old Town
has always been the Old Town Square dominated by the
Church of Our Lady of Týn and the Town Hall.
Old Town Square (Staromìstské námìstí)
Being Prague's heart since the 10th century and its main market place until
the beginning of the 20th century, the spacious 1.7 hectare Old Town Square
has been the scene of great events, both glorious and tragic. There are beautiful
pastel- coloured buildings of Romanesque or Gothic origin with fascinating
house signs. Some of the most prominent examples include the Kinský Palace,
the House of the Stone Bell and the Štorch House. Today, the Old Town
Square offers visitors a tourist information office, number of restaurants,
cafés, shops and galleries.
NEW TOWN (Nové Mesto)
The carefully planned New Town was founded by Charles IV
in 1348. It is twice as large as the Old Town and was mainly
inhabited by tradesmen and craftsmen. During the late 19th
century its outer fortifications were demolished and redeveloped
to its present appearance.
Welceslas Square (Václavské námìstí)
Originally a horse market, it got its present name in the mid-19th century.
The Wenceslas Square is the main centre of modern Prague surrounded by shops,
cinemas, office blocks, hotels, restaurants and cafés. The 750 m long
and 60 m wide square has been the scene of a great deal of Czech history.
In 1969 a university student Jan Palach burnt himself to death in protest
against the Warsaw Pact invasion and in November 1989 protest meetings against
police brutality were held here and led to the Velvet Revolution and the
end of communism in Czechoslovakia. In the middle of the square is a monument
of St Wenceslas on a horse accompanied with sculptures of four Czech patron
saints.
JEWISH QUARTER (Josefov)
Named after the emperor Josef II, whose reforms helped
to ease living conditions for the Jewish, the Jewish
Quarter contains the remains of Prague's former Jewish
ghetto. As many of the Jewish died during the WWII and
were forced by the communist regime to leave the country,
the current Prague community numbers 5000 – 6000
people. There are two figures synonymous with this part
of the city, Franz Kafka (1883 – 1924) and the
mystical homunculus Golem created by Jehuda ben Bezalel,
also known as Rabi Löw.
or contact:
CONNOISSEUR
TRAVEL SERVICES LTD
38 Silverknowes Road, Edinburgh, EH4 5LF
Telephone: 0845 1300 233
Fax: 0131 336 2220
E-Mail: enquiries@connoisseur-travel.co.uk
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