Prague
Old Prague - the mother of Czech cities, one of the most beautiful cities in Europe, where every corner is unique. Historical mystery, cross-roads and the heart of intrigue, glorious annals of kings and queens – this is Prague. Grandiose temples, magical gardens and mysterious nooks and legends – this is Prague. The famous Czech beer, pork knuckle and dumplings, night fun - and this is also Prague. Prague opens itself in its own way to everyone who comes here.
The Old Town and its square are the heart of Prague. The Market (today's Old Town Square) was first mentioned in 1091. Around it homes and churches grew spontaneously, among them an intricate network of streets was spread, many of which we can pass today. The settlement received a municipal status in the 13th century, and in the 14th century got the town hall. Among the most significant sight-seeing places of the Old Town is the Old Town Square, where the Town Hall with the famous Prague Orloj – the astronomical clock. The Old Town is connected with Mala Strana by the Charles Bridge. A number of important monuments is concentrated in the Royal Road leading from the Powder Tower in Celetna street, through the Old Town Square, by Charles Street to the Charles Bridge, and continues through the Lesser Town to the Prague Castle. On the territory of the Old Town there are many famous Gothic and Baroque churches.
Mala Strana (the Lesser Town) is one of the oldest and most impressive parts of Prague. There is a huge number of noteworthy buildings and other interesting places – the Kampa island, lapped by the Certovka river, the Lesser Town Square, which is divided into two parts by the Church of St.. Nicholas, the Maltese Square, the Ujezd district with a cableway to Petrin, Stefanikova observatory and the Petrin observation tower. We cannot help mentioning a large complex of gardens: Kinsky, Petrin, Schonbornsky, etc. Thanks to them and to the Petrin Hill, where they are located, the Lesser Town leaves an impression of a green oasis in the middle of a big city.
Hradcany. The history of Prague starts with the birth of the Castle, which was created in the 9th century by Prince Borivoj. Due to its advantageous position - high above the Vltava – the Castle soon became the center of lands, where the kin of Premyslovci ruled. Behind the high walls three churches, a castle and a monastery appeared. The Castle was rebuilt several times. After a disastrous fire in 1541, the buildings were restored in a Renaissance style. Since 1918, the Castle is the residence of the President of the Republic. Hradcany were originally informal settlements around the Castle and only in the 14th century they were granted a town status. At that time the Old and Lesser (Mala Strana) Towns already existed. So Prague became the place of three cities and now was only waiting for the fourth and final one – the New Town.
On March 8th, 1348 the Czech King Charles IV founded the New Town, which later became a part of the Royal City of Prague. The New Town was created around the three central markets: selling hay (Senovazne namesti), cattle (Karlovo namesti) and horses (Vaclavske namesti). In this area, which was three times larger than the area of the Old Town, mostly merchants and craftsmen lived. In the 19th century the bigger part of the New Town was rebuilt. The National Theater, the National Museum, the New Town Hall are situated in the New Town.
Vysehrad is a historic fortress on the right bank of the Vltava River in Prague and same urban area, located around the fortress. Concerning Vysehrad, there are several legends related to the time of the beginning of the Czech history. The Prince’s fortification was established in the second half of the 10th century. In the late 11th century here there was the residence of the first Czech king Vratislav II. The Vysehrad chapter was created at the church of St. Peter and Paul. Later, Vysehrad served primarily as a fortress, which protected the southern borders of Prague. From the 15th to 19th centuries Vysehrad was an independent town. It was appended to Prague in 1883. At the same time, the cemetery by the church of St. Peter and Paul was the burial place for distinguished Czech personalities. Since 1962, Vysehrad with reconstructed gardens is a protected area.
Rich history, beautiful architecture, stunning scenery – there are many attractions here. Just come. And not to get confused - order a tour, it will help lay the fragments of the past in a beautiful mosaic that will never be forgotten.
Hotels at Prague
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