The CzechTourism agency – learn more about Czech Republic and Prague
Since the Middle Ages, Prague has been known as one of the most beautiful cities of the world, and has been attributed adjectives such as “golden”, “city of hundred spires”, “the crown of the world”, “a stone dream”. The historical core of the city is situated on both banks of the Vltava river and consists of 6 parts – formerly independent urban units unified in the 18th century. They are as follows: Staré Město (Old Town), Josefov (the preserved part of the former Jewish Town – today part of the Old Town), Nové Město (New Town), Malá Strana (Lesser Town), Hradčany and Vyšehrad.
Naturally, most of the historical monuments, museums and galleries are concentrated there. 1000 years of development presented Prague with the most beautiful historical monuments of all architectural styles: Romanesque style, Gothic style, Renaissance, Baroque, Rococo, Classicism and Empire style, Historicism, Art-Nouveau style, Cubism or Functionalism… Prague is the most valuable urban conservation area in the Czech Republic.
In 1992 the historical core of the city covering 866 hectares was listed in the UNESCO World Cultural and Natural Heritage Register. Prague was one of the nine cities awarded by the European Community the title of European City of Culture for the year 2000. “Praga caput regni” has been inscribed in Prague’s coat of arms. And rightly so.
Since the very beginning, Prague has always played an important role in the history of both the nation, country and Europe. Throughout centuries, prominent personalities paid homage to it. Writers and poets, such as Jan Neruda, Jaroslav Hašek, Jaroslav Seifert, Franz Kafka, Max Brod and Egon Erwin Kisch featured their home town in their works.
Mozart, Beethoven, Dostoevskii, Rodin, Apollinaire, Tchaikovskii as well as the British Queen Elizabeth II and Pope John Paul II professed their beguilement by its attractiveness and architectural beauty and now, also participants of our festivals could join this good society of prominent Golden Prague visitors…
So see you in our Old Golden City…
Before this, if you have a few minutes of your time, you are welcome in Old Prague virtual sightseeing here – just click on particular parts of the map and enjoy!
http://www.kralovskacesta.cz
PUBLIC TRANSPORT AROUND PRAGUE (information, fares, routes) – http://www.dpp.cz
PRAGUE OFFICIAL TOURIST PORTAL www.praguewelcome.cz