Prague Flashcards
Prague: Basic Facts
- Capital city of Czech Republic
- Area: 496 km2 (the largest city of CR)
- Population: 1 308 632
- Mayor: Zdeněk Hřib
Prague is the capital city of Czech Republic, but it is also separate territorial unit and we and we count it as one of the 14 regions of the Czech Republic. Prague is situated on the Vltava river which divides Prague into two parts. There are several islands on the Vltava, the most famous of them are Children’s island, Shooting Island or Slavic Island.
7th century
- Legend says that Prague was created in 7th century by Slavic princess Libuše
- She sent her servants to make a castle where a man was building the threshold (práh) of house and call it Prague (Praha).
- A few years later there was a town around the castle called Prague.
14th century
- Prague’s golden age
- there were a lot of important monuments built (Charles bridge, St. Vitus cathedral, Old Town Hall, …)
- Charles IV founded the New Town and Prague University
- Prague also became the capital of the Holy Romany Empire.
16th century
- the reign of the Habsburg dynasty begins and the seat of power moves to Vienna
- Prague becomes the centre of science and alchemy and a lot of famous scientists are attracted to Prague
18th century
- The four independent urban areas of Prague (Old Town, Malá Strana, Hradčany, New Town) were united by Joseph II.
19th century
- industrial revolution
- a lot of important monuments such as National Theatre or National Museum was built
- railway was built between Vienna and Prague
Later history
- After the Austro-Hungarian empire falls, the independent Czechoslovakia was created and the capital became Prague
- A lot of important events happened in Prague, for example Prague spring or Velvet Revolution
- When Czechoslovakia fell apart, Prague remained the capital of the Czech Republic and now it is important historical and cultural city, visited by about 7 million tourists every year.
The Velvet Revolution
- 1989
- Started with a student demonstration in Prague
- Freedom gained through a peaceful revolution
- The end of communism
- The Civic Forum founded
- Václav Havel became president of democratic Czechoslovakia
Important Dates
880: Foundation of Prague
1348: Charles IV. founded the New Town of Prague and Prague University
1344: Beginning of construction of St. Vitus Cathedral
1355: Prague is the capital of the Holy Roman Empire
1357: beginning of construction of Charles Bridge
1918: founding of Czechoslovakia – capital city Prague
1986: Prague Spring
1989: Velvet revolution
1990: The disintegration of Czechoslovakia
Charles Bridge
a stone Gothic bridge that connects the Old Town and Lesser Town (Malá Strana)
Prague Castle
- likely founded during the Premyslid Dynasty (Přemyslovci).
- One of the largest castles in the world, with an area of almost 70,000 m².
- A UNESCO World Heritage site
- palaces and religious buildings of various architectural styles,
- Romanesque-style buildings from the 10th century through Gothic modifications of the 14th century
Wenceslas Square
- commercial and administrative centre of the city
- National Museum, Statue of St. Wenceslas, shops
Old Town Square
- the central square of the historic part of Prague
- Astronomical Clock, Tyn Church, Monument of Jan Hus
St. Vitus Cathedral
- the largest religious center in Prague
- Apart from religious services, coronations of Czech kings and queens also took place here
Petřín Lookout Tower
- built as part of the Jubilee Exhibition in 1891
- inspired by the Eiffel Tower
- It is 63.5 metres high, and 299 steps lead to the top, which is at the same altitude as the real Eiffel Tower
