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Prague town - Heart of Europe

Prague is one city but combines many towns. Its historical center consists of three old quarters that have remained practically unaltered for hundreds of years, making Prague a really unique destination, among other European capitals.

In the Old Town (Stare Mesto), you may admire many medieval buildings in their original condition. The historical district has not lost its Jewish ghetto and although a few ancient streets were demolished around 1900, the remaining streets still look much as they did centuries ago. They are narrow, twisting, and lined with carefully maintained exteriors. The Old Town Square is the center of the town, containing the original Prague Town Hall, dating back to 1338. The nearby Estate Theatre has seen the world premiere of Mozart´s Don Giovannni in 1787.

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The Lesser Town (Mala Strana) and Hradcany - the Prague Castle, located on the left bank of the Vltava River, are largely Baroque in appearance. They seat the grand residences of the nobles, palaces, parks, and gardens. Prague has been described as the city of a hundred spires. Visitors to the Prague Castle may try to count them by themselves. But the Castle is not just an observation point offering a beautiful view of the city. Archeological research and the oldest written sources indicate that the Prague Castle was founded around 880 by Prince Borivoj of the Premyslid House. The early medieval castle site was fortified with a moat and a rampart of clay and stones. This era saw the construction of the first walled building of the complex - the Church of Our Lady. Other churches, dedicated to St. George and St. Vitus, were built in the first half of the 10th century.

Prague Castle

Old town

From the 10th century, the Prague Castle was both the seat of the head of state, the princesses and kings, and of the highest representative of church, the Prague bishop. The first convent in Bohemia was also established in the area of the Prague Castle, next to the church of St. George, serving as a seat of the Benedictine female order. The Basilica of St. Vitus, built on the site of the original rotunda, was the main castle church since the 11th century, where the relics of the patron saints of the land were kept: St. Vitus, Wenceslas and Adalbert. From the 10th century, the Prague convent was an important educational and cultural institution. Today, it is a showcase of medieval arts, housing the Czech National Gallery and its best collection of Czech medieval painting. The Old Town and the Lesser Town are connected by the most famous Prague Bridge - the Charles Bridge. Founded by Charles IV in 1357 and completed in 1402, it belongs to the most significant tourist sights of the city. The bridge was designed by the famous architect Petr Parler. The 516 meters long Bridge cointains16 pillars and 3 bridge towers. One of them, the Old Town Bridge Tower, is considered to be the most beautiful bridge tower in Europe due to its rich sculpture decoration. Thirty sculptures decorating the Bridge mainly date to the period of the Baroque - the 18th century. The most valuable statues were created by Matyas Braun and E. M. Brokoff.