Otázka: Prague
Jazyk: Angličtina
Přidal(a): krejx
BASIC
- the capital of the Czech Republic – since 1918
- the largest – area: 500 km2
- situated in the centre of Bohemia
- the river Vltava flows there
- 1,2 mil inhabitants
- the heart of Europe
- Golden Prague, the mother of citiesPrague of hundred spires
- in teh middle ages – a big important city during the reign of the king Charles IV.
- the old centre consists of 5 historical districts:
- The Old Town
- The New Town
- the Jewish town
- The Lesser quarter
- Hradčany
- political centre of the country – seat of the president (Prague castle), government, parliament
- economic centre – The Czech National Bank, international companies
- educational and cultural centre of the Czech Rep. (the best universities, museums, art galleries,…)
HISTORY
– an exceptional city because of its history and monuments
– founded in the 6th century by Slavs – they built a market on a crossroad of trade routes near the ford over the Vltava – it became a seat of Premyslid Prices, czech ings, later Romans emperors
– it is said that in ancient times, princess Libuše foretold future glory of the city (told that the future glory of Prague would touch the stars)
– 9th century – became the capital of Bohemia and after the capital of the Czech Kingdom
– During the reign of Charles IV. – Prague has Golden Age (the biggest on the continent) – the most important period of our history
- founded Charles University (1348), Charles bridge (30 statues), Hungry wall, The new Town, St. Vitus Cathedral, The horse market (now the Wenceslas square)
– another famous period – the reign of Rudolf II.
- invited many artists and scientist to prague
- during this time the Golden Lane was built for Rudolf´s artists and craftsmen (there worked Franz Kafka)
– 1918 – the capital of the Czechoslovak Republic – T.G.M.
– 1989 – Velvet revolution – until this we were under the reign of communistic party
– 1993 – the capital of the Czech Republic
TRANSPORT
– Train – 2 central stations
- Main station – after reconstruction, problém of homeless
- Masaryk railway station – named after the first czechoslovakpresident
- Other stations –
– underground since 1974, the net of buses and trams (quite good and not expensive use it to avoid traffic jam)
– airport: Ruzyně – Václav a Havla
– boat – have a trip on the river Vltava
– taxi – expensive, not quick baceuse of traffic jam, it!s a risk – drivers often cheat
PLACES OF INTEREST
– if you visit Prague, you can follow the Royal route to see the most famous monuments
PRAGUE CASTLE
- lies in Hradčany
- monumental complex of buildings
- the seat of czech kings and presidents, Barack Obama had a speech there
- one of the biggest inhabited castles in the world
- large gothic Vladislav Hall
- in the middle ages: coronations of the kings
- now there is a election of the president
- used for representative purposes
- St. Vitus cathedral
- stands near the castle
- built in gothic style by Mathias of Arras
- the crown jewels are in the Chapel
- the construction of the building lasted 6 centuries
- Golden lane
- some of houses have been changed to the shops
- legend – there live done alchemist who tryed again and again to make gold but he never succeeded
CHARLES UNIVERSITY
- 1348, the oldest university in central Europe
ST. NICOLAS CHURCH
- 2 churchs with the same name – one in the Lesser quarter and the other one on the Old town square
- example of baroque architecture, built by the Dientzenhofers
THE CHARLES BRIDGE (1357)
- 516m long, 10m wide
- Over the river Vltava
- Built by Charles IV. When Judita’s bridge was torn down by the flood
- usually crowded by tourists, lots of artists and musicians
- an open-air gallery of unique 30 baroque statues by Brown and Brokoff (the statue of Jan Nepomuk turns your dreams into reality)
- the builders added eggs to the mortar to make a strong substance to hold the bridge together
- on the both ends of bridge – bridge towers
THE OLD TOWN SQUARE
- The oldest square – 12th century
- In the center is monument of Hus
- another significant historical spot
- Kinsky palace = national gallery, collection of modern art, Stone Bell House
- the Old town hall with world-famous astronomical clocks
ASTRONOMICAL CLOCKS
- Orloj – by master Hanuš
- Every hour between 9.00 and 21.00 small statues of the 12 apostles appear in small windows at the top of the clock
- The place where 27 czech noblemens were executed
THE WENCESLAS SQUARE
- The largest (750m long), the most imortant square
- heart of new town
- famous for the statue of St. Wenceslas on the horse (patron of Bohemia) – made by Myslbek
- surrounded by fastfoods, shops, hotels, restaurants, cafés,, many people who sell their products
- demonstrations, celebrations
- The National museum
- upper end / on the top of the square
- historical and natural collections, exposition of history, archeology, arcitecture, evolution
THE NATIONAL THEATRE
- situated near the Vltava
- in music video of Kanye West
- built in 1881, rebuilt after fire in 1883
- history: people wanted to have their own theatre for czech plays, dramas, operas so they collected money, it burned down after its opening – they built it again
THE PETŘÍN HILL
- „hill of love“ – the place for lovers
- 60 meter-tall viewing tower on the hill with 299 steps
- Built as a copy of the Eiffel Tower in Paris
- large gardens
- mirror labyrinth, observatory
THE OLD JEWISH TOWN
- for the history of Prague the Jewish community was very important
- most of the town was damaged by German during WWII.
- 6 synagogues
- the Old-New synagogue – the oldest one
- the Old Jewish cemetery – buried Rabi Low – according to the legend he invented Golem
PARIS STREET
- Expensive shops
KAMPA
- Famous area near Charles bridge
- Separated by small canal – called Čertovka
- Go there for a walk, jogging, with children/dog
- Legend about non-human creature from Kampa
- Eiffel tower – 5 times smaller
- From Kampa we can go to Patřín Hill, Strahov stadium, Letná field
VYŠEHRAD
- the oldest castle, built on the rock
- Slavín cemetery where czech writers, artists, rich people are buried
- Czech Princess Libuše prophesied the glory from here
SPORT
– O2 arena