Background of Prague

Prague: the capital of the Czech Republic.

Situation of the CR : In the centre of Europe

Borders with countries :Germany, Austria, Slovakia, Poland

Area of the CR :78 866 square km

Population of the CR :10,28 million inhabitants

Location of Prague :In the centre of Czech Republic, at 50°05”N and 14°27”E

Area of Prague :496 square km

Population of Prague :1,21 million inhabitants

Executive language :Czech language

Elevation of Prague :180 - 400 m a´bove sea level

Climate :Mild continental climate

 Prague is situated in the heart of Europe, on a place that has been an intersection of continental merchant routes since time immemorial. It was the seat of Czech princes and kings from the tenth century A.D. In the mid-14th century, Prague was the centre of the Holy Roman Empire and Europe’s third largest city in terms of population. As part of the Hapsburg monarchy, Prague remained the capital of Czech lands, which became the strongest part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire in terms of economy during the 19th century. Prague was developing as an important centre where Czech, German and Jewish cultures met and mingled. Following the establishment of the Czechoslovak Republic in 1918, Prague became the metropolis of the new country. It experienced a growth of its territory and a great building boom. Following the social and economic changes in 1989, Prague enhanced its historically strong ties with other cities in Central Europe, and has gradually been gaining a continuously improving position within the continental structure of big cities.

From its inception, Prague boasted a wide range of architectural styles which all seemed to live side by side in harmony. The birth of Gothic art in the early 1100’s saw Prague establish itself as a Gothic city under the reign of Wenceslas. From the outset it was a mixture of cultures, religions, architecture and beauty, made all the more interesting by the remarkable and stimulating blend of the Czech, German and Jewish cultures that lived side by side. The Old-New Synagogue in the Jewish Quarter was built in 1270 and is the oldest in Europe. It has a subtle blending of Gothic and Jewish architecture forming a perfect balance.

Baroque architecture gave Prague her distinctive city skyline. Linked with the counter reformation, Baroque art and architecture was an evolution of all man’s artistic capabilities after the Renaissance. Even the style of Baroque reflects this struggle for freedom as it liberates itself from the rules and prescriptions of the Renaissance, creating a unity of space – earning it the title ‘harmonious architecture’.

The 3rd golden age of Prague architecture reached a peak with Art Nouveau. Again east met west as a rich cultural life was marked by intense political activity, becoming increasingly open to international trends and mounting dangers.

_Prague Castle and Hradcany

Prague Castle is the most popular sight visited in Prague. It is the largest ancient castle in the world (570 m long, on average 128 m wide, area 7.28 hectares). 

Constructed in the 9th century by Prince Boøivoj, the castle transformed itself from a wooden fortress surrounded by earthen bulwarks to the imposing form it has today. Rulers made their own additions so there is a mixture of styles. Prague castle has had four major reconstructions, but it keeps its classical facelift it took on in the 18 century during the reign of Maria Theresa. 

The castle has three courtyards and it has always been the seat of Czech rulers as well as the official residence. Allow at least half a day (it does not include time for museum visits) if you want to examine it in depth.

_Prague Lesser Town

The Lesser Town was founded in 1257 on the slopes below the Prague castle and it is the part of Prague least affected by resent history.

_Prague 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 humunculus Golem created by Jehuda ben Bezalel, also known as Rabi Löw.

_Prague Old Town

Mentioned in 1091, it is the oldest of the towns of Prague 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.

_ Prague New Town

The carefully planned New Town was founded by Charles IV in 1348. Twice as large as the Old Town, it was mainly inhabited by tradesmen and craftsmen. During the late19th century its outer fortification were demolished and redeveloped to its present appearance. Today it is not particularly attractive to tourists because of its modernness.

The population of Prague is approximately 1.2 million - about an eighth of the whole population of the Czech Republic. The city occupies in the region of 500 square kilometres along the Vltava River, at a point further west than any other capital of ‘eastern’ Europe. The city centre is made up of five quarters: Hradcany (the Castle quarter) and Mala Strana (the Lesser Town) on the left bank; Stare Mesto (the Old Town), Nove Mesto (the New Town) and Josefov (The Old Jewish Quarter) on the right bank. To the south of the city centre is the district of Vysehard (meaning ‘high castle’).

When describing the city of Prague it is difficult to avoid superlatives. It is certainly an overwhelming capital on the one hand, demanding constant attention so that nothing is missed, and on the other, totally relaxing as Prague’s urban structure, its buildings, streets, squares, parks and its broad valley setting on the river have a human scale which is comforting, intimate and embracing. Primarily the high quality of architecture contributes to the overall effect.

Buildings of diverse architectural styles and periods are arranged like theatrical scenery. Smaller buildings in front of large, broad and plains ones are jammed against thin and exuberant ones, modern, hard edged structures mingle with soft Baroque or Secessionist facades, layering themselves into a mixed but comprehensible harmony of space and form. The silhouettes of towers and church spires are outlined against a backdrop of wavy, red clay-tiled roofs. In winter. Smoke from stoves burning brown coal mixes with patches of mist permeating the narrow streets. At night Prague gains yet another dimension when the floodlights sharpen architectural details against dark shadows.

‘Prague stands at the crossroads of history, where past and present converge. Here, the representatives of religious and worldly powers have clashed with one another in argument and battle. For in Prague, history has seldom paraded as light-hearted entertainment, burlesque or empty comedy. Its constantly repeated themes are far more serious: they have to do with the nation’s very existence’.

- Vaclav Havel, President of the Czech Republic

Margolius, I. (1994). Prague: a guide to twentieth-century architecture. London: Artemis London Limited.

Muller, M. (2008). PRAGUE.CZ: Basic Prague and Czech Republic Info. Retrieved August 31, 2010, from http://www.prague.cz/aboutp.asp

Splarn. H. (2006). Journeys to Glory...Prague. Reality Magazine, 19. Retrieved September 1, 2010, from http://www.sol.com.au/kor/19_02.htm