Old Town, Prague
Encyclopedia
Old Town is a medieval settlement of Prague
, Czech Republic
. It was separated from the outside by a semi-circular moat and wall, connected to the Vltava
at both of its ends. The moat is now covered up by the streets (from north to south-west) Revolučni, na Příkopě, and Národni—which remain the official boundary of the cadastral district of Old Town. It is now in Praha 1.
Soon after the city was expanded in the 14th century by Charles IV
with the founding of the New Town
, the moat and wall were dismantled.
Notable places in the Old Town include the Old New Synagogue
, Old Town Square
and Astronomical Clock
. Across the river Vltava
is the Lesser Quarter, called Malá Strana in Czech. These two parts of the town are connected by Charles Bridge
. Josefov
is located in the northwest corner of Old Town heading towards the Vltava.
After the city was expanded in the 14th century by Charles IV
with the founding of the New Town
, the moat and wall were dismantled soon after.
Prague
Prague is the capital and largest city of the Czech Republic. Situated in the north-west of the country on the Vltava river, the city is home to about 1.3 million people, while its metropolitan area is estimated to have a population of over 2.3 million...
, Czech Republic
Czech Republic
The Czech Republic is a landlocked country in Central Europe. The country is bordered by Poland to the northeast, Slovakia to the east, Austria to the south, and Germany to the west and northwest....
. It was separated from the outside by a semi-circular moat and wall, connected to the Vltava
Vltava
The Vltava is the longest river in the Czech Republic, running north from its source in Šumava through Český Krumlov, České Budějovice, and Prague, merging with the Elbe at Mělník...
at both of its ends. The moat is now covered up by the streets (from north to south-west) Revolučni, na Příkopě, and Národni—which remain the official boundary of the cadastral district of Old Town. It is now in Praha 1.
Soon after the city was expanded in the 14th century by Charles IV
Charles IV, Holy Roman Emperor
Charles IV , born Wenceslaus , was the second king of Bohemia from the House of Luxembourg, and the first king of Bohemia to also become Holy Roman Emperor....
with the founding of the New Town
New Town, Prague
The New Town is a quarter in the city of Prague in the Czech Republic. New Town is the youngest and largest of the five independent towns that today comprise the historic center of modern Prague...
, the moat and wall were dismantled.
Notable places in the Old Town include the Old New Synagogue
Old New Synagogue
The Old New Synagogue situated in Josefov, Prague, is Europe's oldest active synagogue. It is also the oldest surviving medieval synagogue of twin nave design.Completed in 1270 in gothic style, it was one of Prague's first gothic buildings...
, Old Town Square
Old Town Square (Prague)
Old Town Square is a historic square in the Old Town quarter of Prague in the Czech Republic at .Located between Wenceslas Square and the Charles Bridge, Prague's Old Town Square is often bursting at the seams with tourists in the summer. Featuring various architectural styles including the...
and Astronomical Clock
Prague Orloj
The Prague Astronomical Clock or Prague Orloj is a medieval astronomical clock located in Prague, the capital of the Czech Republic, at . The clock was first installed in 1410, making it the third-oldest astronomical clock in the world and the oldest one still working.-Description:The Orloj is...
. Across the river Vltava
Vltava
The Vltava is the longest river in the Czech Republic, running north from its source in Šumava through Český Krumlov, České Budějovice, and Prague, merging with the Elbe at Mělník...
is the Lesser Quarter, called Malá Strana in Czech. These two parts of the town are connected by Charles Bridge
Charles Bridge
The Charles Bridge is a famous historic bridge that crosses the Vltava river in Prague, Czech Republic. Its construction started in 1357 under the auspices of King Charles IV, and finished in the beginning of the 15th century...
. Josefov
Josefov
Josefov is a town quarter in Prague, Czech Republic, known as the Jewish quarter.Josefov may also refer to:* Fortress Josefov, a former fortress in the Hradec Králové Region of the Czech Republic...
is located in the northwest corner of Old Town heading towards the Vltava.
History
From its early existence, around 9th century, Staré Město was laid out of settlements which appeared from the spacious marketplace on the bank of Vltava. Records dating back to 1100AD indicate that every Saturday a market was held on the marketplace, and large military gatherings also took place there. Thanks to the trade the nearby area merchants became rich, and when the King Václav I gave them the privileges of township, the town of Město Pražské (the town of Prague) was formed. According to ancient records, the city had around 13 gates, and a huge moat, providing strong defenses.After the city was expanded in the 14th century by Charles IV
Charles IV, Holy Roman Emperor
Charles IV , born Wenceslaus , was the second king of Bohemia from the House of Luxembourg, and the first king of Bohemia to also become Holy Roman Emperor....
with the founding of the New Town
New Town, Prague
The New Town is a quarter in the city of Prague in the Czech Republic. New Town is the youngest and largest of the five independent towns that today comprise the historic center of modern Prague...
, the moat and wall were dismantled soon after.