
. 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. The city has a temperate oceanic climate
with warm summers and chilly winters.
Prague has been a political, cultural and economic centre of Europe and particularly central Europe during its 1,100 year existence.
1348 Charles University is founded in Prague.
1348 Charles University in Prague (Universitas Carolina/Univerzita Karlova) is established as the first university in Central Europe.
1357 Emperor Charles IV assists in laying the foundation stone of Charles Bridge in Prague.
1419 First Defenestration of Prague: a crowd of radical Hussites kill seven members of the Prague city council.
1620 The Battle of White Mountain takes place near Prague, ending in a decisive Catholic victory in only two hours.
1621 Execution of 27 Czech noblemen on the Old Town Square in Prague as a consequence of the Battle of White Mountain.
1631 A Saxon army takes over Prague.
1787 Mozart's opera ''Don Giovanni'' receives its first performance in Prague.
1848 The Slavic congress in Prague begins.
1905 František Pavlík is killed in a demonstration in Prague, inspiring Leoš Janáček to the piano composition 1. X. 1905.
. 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. The city has a temperate oceanic climate
with warm summers and chilly winters.
Prague has been a political, cultural and economic centre of Europe and particularly central Europe during its 1,100 year existence. For centuries, during the Gothic
and Renaissance
eras, Prague was the permanent seat of two Holy Roman Emperors and thus was also the capital of the Holy Roman Empire
. Later it was an important city in the Habsburg Monarchy
and the Austro-Hungarian Empire, and after World War I
became the capital of Czechoslovakia
. The city played major roles in the Protestant Reformation
, the Thirty Years' War
, and in 20th-century history, during both World Wars and the post-war Communist era.
Prague is home to a number of famous cultural attractions, many of which survived the violence and destruction of twentieth century Europe. Main attractions include the following: Prague Castle
, the Charles Bridge
, Old Town Square
, the Jewish Quarter
, the Lennon Wall
, and Petřín
hill. Since 1992, the extensive historic centre of Prague has been included in the UNESCO
list of World Heritage Site
s.
Prague boasts more than ten major museums, along with countless theatres, galleries, cinemas, and other historical exhibits. Also, Prague is home to a wide range of public and private schools, including the famous Charles University. Its rich history makes it a popular tourist destination, and the city receives more than 4.1 million international visitors annually, . Prague is classified as a Beta+ global city
according to GaWC studies, comaprable to Berlin
, Rome
, or Vancouver
.
A modern public transportation system connects the city. Prague is also accessible by road, train, and air.

History
During the thousand years of its existence, the city grew from a settlement stretching from Prague Castlein the north to the fort of Vyšehrad
in the south, becoming the multicultural capital of a modern European state, the Czech Republic, a member state of the European Union.
Ancient age

age. Around 200 BC the Celts established an oppidum
(settlement) in the south, now called Závist. By the end of the 1st century BC, the population was composed mostly of the Marcomanni
(and possibly the Suebi
), a Germanic people
. In the 6th century AD, during the great migration period
following the collapse of the Roman empire, the Marcomanni people migrated westwards or were assimilated into the invading West Slavic people
.
According to legends, Prague was founded by Libuše
and her husband, Přemysl
, founder of the dynasty of the same name. By the year 800 there was a simple fort fortified with wooden buildings, occupying about two-thirds of the area that is now Prague Castle
. The first masonry under Prague Castle
dates from the year 885.
The other Prague fort, the Přemyslid fort Vyšehrad
was founded in the 10th century, some 70 years later than Prague Castle. Prague Castle is dominated by the cathedral
, which was founded in 1344, but completed in the 20th century.
The region became the seat of the duke
s, and later kings, of Bohemia
. Under Roman-German Emperor Otto II
the area became a bishopric
in 973. Until Prague was elevated to archbishopric in 1344, it was under the jurisdiction of the Archbishopric of Mainz
.
Prague was an important seat for trading where merchants from all of Europe settled, including many Jews, as recalled in 965 by the Hispano-Arabic
merchant and traveller Ibrahim ibn Ya'qub
. The Old New Synagogue
of 1270 still stands. Prague contained an important slave market.
At the site of the ford in the Vltava
river, King Vladislaus II had the first bridge built in 1170, the Judith Bridge, (Juditin most) named honor of his wife Judith of Thuringia
. This bridge was destroyed by a flood in 1342. Some of the original foundation stones of that bridge remain.
In 1257, under King Ottokar II
, Malá Strana
("Lesser Quarter") was founded in Prague on the site of an older village in what would become the Hradčany
(Prague Castle) area. This was the district of the German people, who had the right to administer the law autonomously, pursuant to Magdeburg rights
. The new district was on the bank opposite of the Staré Město ("Old Town"), which had borough
status and was bordered by a line of walls and fortifications.
The era of Charles IV

and the king of Bohemia
of the new Luxembourg dynasty
. As King of Bohemia and Holy Roman Emperor, he transformed Prague into an imperial capital. He ordered the building of the New Town
(Nové Město) adjacent to the Old Town and laid out the design himself. The Charles Bridge
, replacing the Judith Bridge destroyed in the flood just prior to his reign, was erected to connect the right bank districts to the Malá Strana and castle area. On 9 July 1357 at 5:31 am Charles IV personally laid the first foundation stone for the Charles Bridge. The exact time of laying the first foundation stone is known because the palindromic number 135797531 was carved into the Old Town bridge tower having been chosen by the royal astrologists and numerologists as the best time for starting the bridge construction. In 1347 he founded Charles University which remains today the oldest university in Central Europe.
He began construction of the Gothic
Saint Vitus Cathedral, within the largest of the Prague Castle courtyards, on the site of the Romanesque rotunda there. Prague was elevated to an archbishopric in 1344, the year the cathedral was begun.
The city had a mint
and was a centre of trade for German and Italian bankers and merchants. The social order, however, became more turbulent due to the rising power of the craftsmen
's guild
s (themselves often torn by internal fights), and the increasing number of poor people.
The Hunger Wall, a substantial fortification wall south of Malá Strana
and the Castle area, was built during a famine in the 1360s. The work is reputed to have been ordered by Charles IV as a means of providing employment and food to the workers and their families. Prague was at that time the third-largest city in Europe.
Charles IV died in 1378. During the reign of his son, King Wenceslaus IV
(1378–1419), a period of intense turmoil ensued. During Easter 1389, members of the Prague clergy announced that Jews had desecrated the host (Eucharistic wafer) and the clergy encouraged mobs to pillage, ransack and burn the Jewish quarter. Nearly the entire Jewish population of Prague (3,000 people) perished.
Jan Hus
, a theologian and rector
at the Charles University, preached in Prague. In 1402, he began giving sermons in the Bethlehem Chapel
. Inspired by John Wycliffe
, these sermons focused on what were seen as radical reforms of a corrupt Church. Having become too dangerous for the political and religious establishment, Hus was summoned to the Council of Constance
, put on trial for heresy
, and burned at the stake in Constanz in 1415.
Four years later Prague experienced its first defenestration
, when the people rebelled under the command of the Prague priest Jan Želivský
. Hus' death, coupled with Czech proto-nationalism and proto-Protestantism, had spurred the Hussite Wars
. Peasant rebels, led by the general Jan Žižka
, along with Hussite troops from Prague, defeated King Sigismund
, in the Battle of Vítkov Hill
.
In the following two centuries, Prague strengthened its role as a merchant city. Many noteworthy Gothic buildings were erected and Vladislav Hall of the Prague Castle
was added.
Habsburg era
In 1526, the Bohemian estates elected Ferdinand I of the House of Habsburg The fervent Catholicism of its members was to bring them into conflict in Bohemia, and then in Prague, where Protestantideas were gaining popularity. These problems were not pre-eminent under Holy Roman Emperor Rudolf II
, elected King of Bohemia in 1576, who chose Prague as his home. He lived in the Prague Castle where his court saw invitations to astrologers and magicians, but also scientists, musicians, and artists. Rudolf was an art lover too and Prague became the capital of European culture. This was a prosperous period for the city: famous people living there in that age include the astronomers Tycho Brahe
and Johann Kepler
, the painter Arcimboldo
, the alchemists Edward Kelley
and John Dee
, the poetess Elizabeth Jane Weston
, and others.
In 1618, the famous second defenestration of Prague
provoked the Thirty Years' War
, a particularly harsh period for Prague and Bohemia. Ferdinand II
of Habsburg was deposed, and his place as King of Bohemia taken by Frederick V, Elector Palatine
; however the Czech Army under him was crushed in the Battle of White Mountain
(1620) not far from the city. Following this in 1621 was an execution of 27 Czech leaders (involved in the uprising) in Old Town Square and an exiling of many others. The city suffered subsequently during the war under Saxon
(1631) and Battle of Prague (1648)
. Prague began a steady decline which reduced the population from the 60,000 it had had in the years before the war to 20,000. In the second half of the 17th century Prague's population began to grow again. Jews
have been in Prague since the end of the 10th century and, by 1708, they accounted for about a quarter of Prague’s population.

The economic rise continued through the 18th century, and the city in 1771 had 80,000 inhabitants. Many of these were rich merchants and nobles who enriched the city with a host of palaces, churches and gardens, creating a Baroque
style renowned throughout the world. After the Battle of Prague in 1757 the city was badly damaged during a Prussia
n bombardment. In 1784, under Joseph II
, the four municipalities of Malá Strana, Nové Město, Staré Město, and Hradcany were merged into a single entity. The Jewish district, called Josefov
, was included only in 1850. The Industrial Revolution
had a strong effect in Prague, as factories could take advantage of the coal mines and ironworks of the nearby region. A first suburb, Karlín
, was created in 1817, and twenty years later population exceeded 100,000.
The revolutions that shocked all Europe around 1848
touched Prague too, but they were fiercely suppressed. In the following years the Czech nationalist movement began its rise, until it gained the majority in the town council in 1861. Prague had a German speaking majority in 1848, but by 1880 the German population had decreased to 14% (42,000), and by 1910 to 6.7% (37,000), due to a massive increase of the city's overall population caused by the influx of Czechs from the rest of Bohemia and Moravia
and also due to ethnic mixing and assimilation.
20th century
The First Republic
. Prague was chosen as its capital and Prague Castle as the seat of president (Tomáš Masaryk). At this time Prague was a true European capital with highly developed industry. By 1930, the population had risen to 850,000.
Second World War
Hitler ordered the German Army
to enter Prague on 15 March 1939 and from Prague Castle proclaimed Bohemia and Moravia a German protectorate
.
For most of its history Prague had been a multi-ethnic city with important Czech, German and (mostly Czech- and/or German-speaking) Jewish populations. From 1939, when the country was occupied by Nazi Germany
, and during World War II, most Jews fled the city or were deported.
In 1942, Prague was witness to the assassination of one of the most powerful men in Nazi Germany
– Reinhard Heydrich
(during Operation Anthropoid
). Hitler ordered bloody reprisals. At the end of the war Prague suffered several bombing raids
by the USAAF. Over 1,000 people were injured, 701 people were killed, and hundreds of buildings, factories and historical landmarks were destroyed (however the damage was small compared to the total destruction of many other cities in that time). On 5 May 1945, two days before Germany capitulated, an uprising
against Germany occurred. Four days later the 3rd Shock Army entered the city. The majority of the German population either fled or was expelled
by the Beneš decrees
in the aftermath of the war.
Cold War
Prague was a city in the territory of military and political control of the Soviet Union
(see Iron Curtain
). The 4th Czechoslovakian Writers' Congress held in the city in 1967 took a strong position against the regime. This spurred the new secretary of the Communist Party
, Alexander Dubček
to proclaim a new deal in his city's and country's life, starting the short-lived season of the "socialism with a human face". It was the "Prague Spring
", which aimed at the renovation of institutions in a democratic way. The Soviet Union and its allies reacted with the invasion of Czechoslovakia
and the capital on 21 August 1968 by tanks, suppressing any attempt at work.
Era after the Velvet Revolution
In 1989, after the riot police beat back a peaceful student demonstration, the Velvet Revolution
crowded the streets of Prague and the Czechoslovak capital benefited greatly from the new mood.
In 1993, after the split of Czechoslovakia
, Prague became the capital city of the new Czech Republic. In the late 1990s Prague again became an important cultural centre of Europe and was notably influenced by globalisation. In 2000 anti-globalisation protests in Prague (some 15,000 protesters) turned violent during the IMF and World Bank
summits. In 2002 Prague suffered from widespread floods
that damaged buildings and also its underground transport system.
Prague launched a bid for the 2016 Summer Olympics
, but failed to make the candidate city shortlist. Due to low political support, Prague's officials chose in June 2009 to cancel the city's planned bid for 2020 Summer Olympics
as well.
Etymology and other names

root, praga, which means “ford”, referring to the city's origin at a crossing point of the Vltava river.
The native name of the city, Praha, however, is also related to the modern Czech word práh (threshold) and a legendary etymology connects the name of the city with princess Libuše
, prophetess and a wife of mythical founder of the Přemyslid dynasty
. She is said to have ordered the city "to be built where a man hews a threshold of his house". The Czech práh might thus be understood to refer to rapids or a cataract in the river, the edge of which could have acted as a means of fording the river – thus providing a "threshold" to the castle. However, no geological ridge in the river has ever been located directly beneath the castle
.
Another derivation of the name Praha is suggested from na prazě, the original term for the shale
hillside rock upon which the original castle was built. At that time, the castle was surrounded by forests, covering the nine hills of the future city – the Old Town
on the opposite side of the river, as well as the Lesser Town beneath the existing castle
, appeared only later.
Nicknames for Prague have included: Praga mater urbium/Praha matka měst ("Prague – Mother of Cities") in Latin
/Czech, Stověžatá Praha ("City of a Hundred Spire
s") based on count by 19 century mathematician Bernard Bolzano
. Today's count is estimated at 500.
Other nicknames: Zlaté město/Goldene Stadt ("Golden City") in Czech/German.
Main sights


, Prague has become one of Europe's (and the world's) most popular tourist destinations. It is the sixth most-visited European city after London, Paris, Rome, Madrid and Berlin. Prague suffered considerably less damage during World War II than some other major cities in the region, allowing most of its historic architecture to stay true to form. It contains one of the world's most pristine and varied collections of architecture, from Art Nouveau
to Baroque
, Renaissance
, Cubist
, Gothic
, Neo-Classical
and ultra-modern. Some popular sights include:
- Prague CastlePrague CastlePrague Castle is a castle in Prague where the Kings of Bohemia, Holy Roman Emperors and presidents of Czechoslovakia and the Czech Republic have had their offices. The Czech Crown Jewels are kept here...
with the St. Vitus CathedralSt. Vitus CathedralSaint Vitus' Cathedral is as a Roman Catholic cathedral in Prague, and the seat of the Archbishop of Prague. The full name of the cathedral is St. Vitus, St. Wenceslas and St. Adalbert Cathedral...
which store the Czech Crown Jewels - Old Town (Staré Město) with its Old Town SquareOld 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...
- The Astronomical Clock (Orloj) on Old Town Square
- The picturesque Charles BridgeCharles BridgeThe 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...
(Karlův Most) - The vaulted Gothic Old New SynagogueOld New SynagogueThe 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...
(Staronová Synagoga) of 1270 - New TownNew Town, PragueThe 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...
(Nové město) with its busy and historic Wenceslas SquareWenceslas SquareWenceslas Square is one of the main city squares and the centre of the business and cultural communities in the New Town of Prague, Czech Republic. Many historical events occurred there, and it is a traditional setting for demonstrations, celebrations, and other public gatherings... - National MuseumNational Museum (Prague)The National museum is a Czech museum institution intended to systematically establish, prepare and publicly exhibit natural scientific and historical collections. It was founded 1818 in Prague by Kašpar Maria Šternberg...
on the Wenceslas SquareWenceslas SquareWenceslas Square is one of the main city squares and the centre of the business and cultural communities in the New Town of Prague, Czech Republic. Many historical events occurred there, and it is a traditional setting for demonstrations, celebrations, and other public gatherings... - Malá StranaMalá StranaMalá Strana is a district of the city of Prague, Czech Republic, and one of its most historic regions.The name translated into English literally means "Little Side", though it is frequently referred to as "Lesser Town", "Lesser Quarter", or "Lesser Side"...
(Lesser Quarter) with its Infant Jesus of PragueInfant Jesus of PragueInfant Jesus of Prague is a famous statue of infant Jesus located in the Church of Our Lady Victorious in Malá Strana, Prague.- History :Its earliest history can be traced back to Prague in the year 1628 when the small, 19-inch high, wax statue of the Infant Jesus was given by Princess Polyxena... - JosefovJosefovJosefov 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...
(the old Jewish quarter) with Old Jewish Cemetery and Old New SynagogueOld New SynagogueThe 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... - Jan ŽižkaJan ŽižkaJan Žižka z Trocnova a Kalicha , Czech general and Hussite leader, follower of Jan Hus, was born at small village Trocnov in Bohemia, into a gentried family. He was nicknamed "One-eyed Žižka"...
equestrian statue in Vítkov Park, Žižkov – Prague 3Prague 3Prague 3 , is a second-tier municipality in Prague. It is identical to the national administrative district of the same name....
. - The Lennon WallLennon WallThe Lennon Wall or John Lennon Wall, is a wall in Prague, Czech Republic. Once a normal wall, since the 1980s it has been filled with John Lennon-inspired graffiti and pieces of lyrics from Beatles songs....
- VinohradyVinohradyVinohrady is a cadastral district in Prague. It is so named because the area was once covered in vineyards dating from the 14th century...
, a cadastral district that was once covered in vineyards - Museum of Decorative Arts in PragueMuseum of Decorative Arts in PragueFounded in 1885, the Museum of Decorative Arts in Prague is housed in a Neo-Renaissance edifice built in 1897–1901 after the designs of architect Josef Schulz. The Museum’s rich collections include decorative and applied arts and design work ranging from Late Antiquity to the present day, with...
, with its huge collections of glass, furniture, textile, toys, Art Nouveau, Cubism, Art Deco and so on - The museum of the Heydrich assassinationOperation AnthropoidOperation Anthropoid was the code name for the targeted killing of top German SS leader Reinhard Heydrich. He was the chief of the Reich Main Security Office , the acting Protector of Bohemia and Moravia, and a chief planner of the Final Solution, the Nazi German programme for the genocide of the...
in the crypt of the Church of Saints Cyril and Methodius - Vyšehrad CastleVyšehradVyšehrad is a castle located in the city of Prague, Czech Republic. It was probably built in the 10th century, on a hill over the Vltava River...
and CemeteryVyšehrad cemeteryEstablished in 1869 on the grounds of Vyšehrad Castle in Prague, Czech Republic, the Vyšehrad cemetery is the final resting place of many composers, artists, sculptors, writers, and those from the world of science and politics...
where many famous Czechs are buried, including the composers Antonín DvořákAntonín DvorákAntonín Leopold Dvořák was a Czech composer of late Romantic music, who employed the idioms of the folk music of Moravia and his native Bohemia. Dvořák’s own style is sometimes called "romantic-classicist synthesis". His works include symphonic, choral and chamber music, concerti, operas and many...
and Bedřich SmetanaBedrich SmetanaBedřich Smetana was a Czech composer who pioneered the development of a musical style which became closely identified with his country's aspirations to independent statehood. He is thus widely regarded in his homeland as the father of Czech music... - Písek GatePísek GatePísek Gate , also called Bruska Gate is a former city gate of Baroque fortification of Prague, Czech Republic. Once belonging to fortification section called Marian Walls it is located in K Brusce Street at Hradčany neighbourhood, not far from Hradčanská metro station. Anther sights in vicinity...
, the last preserved city gate of Baroque fortification - Petřínská rozhledna, an observation tower on Petřín Hill, which resembles the Eiffel TowerEiffel TowerThe Eiffel Tower is a puddle iron lattice tower located on the Champ de Mars in Paris. Built in 1889, it has become both a global icon of France and one of the most recognizable structures in the world...
- AndělAndel (neighborhood)Anděl is a busy crossing and its immediate neighbourhood in Prague 5's central quarter of Smíchov. The name means angel in the Czech language and originates from the 19th century U zlatého anděla pub originally named after an angel statue in front of it...
, a busy part of the city with modern architecture and a shopping mall - Žižkov Television TowerŽižkov Television TowerThe Žižkov Television Tower is a unique transmitter tower built in Prague between 1985 and 1992. Designed by architect Václav Aulický and structural engineer Jiří Kozák, it stands high above the city's traditional skyline from its position on top of a hill in the district of Žižkov, from which it...
(Žižkovský vysílač) with observation deck – Prague 3Prague 3Prague 3 , is a second-tier municipality in Prague. It is identical to the national administrative district of the same name....
. - The New Jewish CemeteryNew Jewish CemeteryThe New Jewish Cemetery in Prague was established in 1891 to relieve the space problem at the Old Jewish Cemetery, Prague. It is about 10 times bigger than the Old Jewish Cemetery and provides space for approximately 100 000 graves, therefore having the capacity to serve for a whole century...
in Olšany, location of Franz KafkaFranz KafkaFranz Kafka was a culturally influential German-language author of short stories and novels. Contemporary critics and academics, including Vladimir Nabokov, regard Kafka as one of the best writers of the 20th century...
's grave – Prague 3Prague 3Prague 3 , is a second-tier municipality in Prague. It is identical to the national administrative district of the same name....
. - The MetronomePrague MetronomeThe Metronome is a giant, functional metronome located overlooking the Vltava River and the city center of Prague. It was erected in 1991, and stands on the plinth left vacant by the destruction of an enormous monument to former Soviet leader Joseph Stalin . The Metronome is now mostly a scenic...
, a giant, functional metronome that looms over the city - The Dancing HouseDancing HouseThe Dancing House or Dancing Building or Ginger & Fred is the nickname given to the Nationale-Nederlanden building in downtown Prague, Czech Republic at Rašínovo nábřeží 80, 120 00 Praha 2...
(Fred and Ginger Building) - StiassnyWilhelm StiassnyWilhelm Stiassny was an Austrian architect.-Personal life:From 1857 to 1861 Stiassny studied at the Polytechnic in Vienna and then studied architecture at the Academy of Fine Arts in Vienna under Friedrich von Schmidt.In 1895 Stiassny founded the Society for the Conservation and Preservation of...
's Jubilee SynagogueJubilee SynagogueJubilee Synagogue , also known as the Jerusalem Synagogue, is a synagogue in Prague, Czech Republic. It also known as the Jerusalem Synagogue because of its location on Jerusalem Street. It was built in 1906, designed by Wilhelm Stiassny and named in honor of the silver Jubilee of Emperor Franz...
is the largest in Prague - The Mucha Museum, showcasing the Art NouveauArt NouveauArt Nouveau is an international philosophy and style of art, architecture and applied art—especially the decorative arts—that were most popular during 1890–1910. The name "Art Nouveau" is French for "new art"...
works of Alfons MuchaAlfons MuchaAlfons Maria Mucha , known in English as Alphonse Mucha, was a Czech Art Nouveau painter and decorative artist, known best for his distinct style. He produced many paintings, illustrations, advertisements, postcards, and designs.-Early years:... - The vast cemeteries that are also used for walks by the locals, such as Olšany CemeteryOlšany CemeteryOlšany Cemetery is the largest graveyard in Prague, Czech Republic, once having as many as two million burials. The cemetery is particularly noted for its many remarkable art nouveau monuments.- History :...
- Places connected to writers living in the city, such as Franz KafkaFranz KafkaFranz Kafka was a culturally influential German-language author of short stories and novels. Contemporary critics and academics, including Vladimir Nabokov, regard Kafka as one of the best writers of the 20th century...
(one popular destination is the Franz Kafka Museum, also his grave at the New Jewish cemetery near the metro station Želivského) - The Prague ZooPrague ZooPrague Zoo is a zoo in Prague, Czech Republic. It was opened in 1931 with the goal to "advance the study of zoology, protect wildlife, and educate the public" in the district of Troja in the north of Prague. The zoo occupies 45 hectares and houses about 4,400 animals that represent 670 species...
, selected as the 7th best zoo in the world by Forbes magazine - The NusleNusleNusle is a district of Prague, created in 1922). Part of Nusle is in Prague 2 while most is in Prague 4. Nusle are located south of the city centre in Nuselské údolí on the Botič brook. There are interesting a rustically building of Nusle Town Hall from the year 1908, and a late old Nusle brewery...
bridge with tube for underground
Geography
Prague is situated on the Vltava river, at 50°05"N and 14°27"E. in the centre of the Bohemian Basin. Prague is approximately at the same latitude as Frankfurt, Germany; Paris, France; and Vancouver, Canada.Climate
The city of Prague has borderline oceanic climate(Köppen Cfb) . The winters are relatively cold with very little amount of sunshine. Snow cover is common between mid-November to late March but is usually not too heavy. Summers usually bring fine sunny days with highs being around 25 degrees. Nights can be quite cool even in summer, though. Precipitation in Prague is rather low (it is less rainy than Rome and Paris) as the shadow of the Ore Mountains and the Czech Central Highlands takes effect. The driest season is usually winter while the summers can bring quite heavy rain especially in form of violent storms and showers. Temperature inversions are relatively common between mid-October and mid-March bringing often cloudy, cold days in comparison with mountains or highlands and can be often connected with air pollution.
Culture

Some of the significant cultural institutions include the National Theatre
(Národní Divadlo)
and the Estates Theatre
(Stavovské or Tylovo or Nosticovo divadlo), where the première of Mozart
's Don Giovanni
and La clemenza di Tito
was held. Other major cultural institutions are the Rudolfinum
which is home to the Czech Philharmonic Orchestra and the Municipal House
which is home to the Prague Symphony Orchestra
. The Prague State Opera
(Státní opera) performs at the Smetana Theatre.
There are many world class museums in Prague including the National Museum
(Národní muzeum), the Museum of the Capital City of Prague, the Jewish Museum in Prague, the Alfons Mucha
Museum, the African-Prague Museum, the Museum of Decorative Arts in Prague
the Náprstek Museum
(Náprstkovo Muzeum, the Josef Sudek Gallery
, the National Library
and the National Gallery
There are hundreds of concert halls, galleries, cinemas and music clubs in the city. Prague hosts Music Festivals including the Prague Spring International Music Festival, the Prague Autumn International Music Festival
and the Prague International Organ Festival
. Film festivals include the Febiofest
, the One World
and Echoes of the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival
. Prague also hosts the Prague Writers' Festival, the Prague Folklore Days, Prague Advent Choral Meeting g, the Summer Shakespeare Festival, the Prague Fringe Festival
, the World Roma Festival
, as well as the hundreds of Vernissage
s and fashion show
s.
Prague also hosts the Czech Beer Festival
(Český pivní festival), it is the biggest beer festival
in the Czech Republic held for 17 days every year in May. There you can taste more than 70 best brands of great Czech beer
.
Many films have been made at the Barrandov Studios
. Hollywood movies set in Prague include Mission Impossible
, xXx
, Blade II
, Alien vs. Predator
, Doom
, Chronicles of Narnia and Van Helsing
. Other Czech films shot in Prague include Empties
, Amadeus
and The Fifth Horseman is Fear
. Also, the music video to "Diamonds from Sierra Leone
" by Kanye West
was shot in Prague, and features shots of the Charles Bridge and the Astronomical Clock, among other famous landmarks. Prague was also the setting for the film "Dungeons and Dragons" in 2000. The music video "Silver and Cold
" by AFI
, an American rock band, was also filmed in Prague.
Forbes Traveller Magazine listed Prague Zoo
among the world's best zoos.
The Prague restaurant Allegro
received the first Michelin
star in the whole of post-Communist Eastern Europe.
With the growth of low-cost airlines in Europe, Prague has become a popular weekend city destination allowing tourists to visit its many museums and cultural sites as well as try its famous Czech beers and hearty cuisine.
Prague sites many buildings by renowned architects, including Adolf Loos
(Villa Müller
), Frank O. Gehry (Dancing House
), or Jean Nouvel
(Golden Angel).
Recent major events held in Prague:
- International Monetary FundInternational Monetary FundThe International Monetary Fund is an organization of 187 countries, working to foster global monetary cooperation, secure financial stability, facilitate international trade, promote high employment and sustainable economic growth, and reduce poverty around the world...
and World BankWorld BankThe World Bank is an international financial institution that provides loans to developing countries for capital programmes.The World Bank's official goal is the reduction of poverty...
Summit 2000 - NATO Summit 2002
- International Olympic CommitteeInternational Olympic CommitteeThe International Olympic Committee is an international corporation based in Lausanne, Switzerland, created by Pierre de Coubertin on 23 June 1894 with Demetrios Vikelas as its first president...
Session 2004 - International Astronomical UnionInternational Astronomical UnionThe International Astronomical Union IAU is a collection of professional astronomers, at the Ph.D. level and beyond, active in professional research and education in astronomy...
General Assembly 2006 - EU & USA Summit 2009
- Czech Presidency of the Council of the European Union 2009
- USA & RussiaRussiaRussia or , officially known as both Russia and the Russian Federation , is a country in northern Eurasia. It is a federal semi-presidential republic, comprising 83 federal subjects...
Summit 2010 (signing of the New START treaty)
Economy
Prague's economy accounts for 25% of the Czech Republic's GDP making it the highest performing regional economy of the country. According to the Eurostat, as of 2007, its GDP per capita in purchasing power standard
is 42,800 €. Prague ranked the 5th best-performing European NUTS 2 level region at 172 % of the EU-27 average.
The city is the site of the European headquarters of many international companies.
Since 1990, Prague economy structure has shifted from industrial to service-oriented. Industry is present in sectors such as pharmaceuticals, printing, food processing, manufacture of transport equipment, computer technology and electrical engineering. In services sector, most significant are financial services, commercial services, trade, restaurants and accommodations and public administration. Services account for around 80% of employment. There are 800,000 employees in Prague, including 120,000 commuters. The number of (legally registered) foreign residents in Prague has been increasing in spite of the country's economic downturn. As of March 2010, 148,035 foreign workers were reported to be living in the city making up about 18% of the workforce, up from 131,132 in 2008. Approximately one-fifth of all investment in the Czech Republic takes place in Prague city.
Almost one-half of the national income from tourism is spent in Prague. The city offers approximately 73,000 beds in accommodation facilities, most of which were built after 1990, including almost 51,000 beds in hotels and boarding houses capable of satisfying all categories of visitors.
From the late 1990s to late 2000s, Prague was a popular filming location for international productions and Hollywood, Bollywood motion pictures. A combination of architecture, low costs and the existing motion picture infrastructure have proven attractive to international film production companies.
The modern economy of Prague is largely service and export-based and, in a 2010 survey, the city was named the best city in East Europe for business.
In 2005 Prague was deemed among the three best cities in eastern Europe according to the Economist's livability rankings. The city was named as a top-tier nexus city for innovation across multiple sectors of the global innovation economy, placing 29th globally out of 289 cities, ahead of Brussels
and Helsinki
for innovation in 2010 in 2thinknow annual analysts Innovation Cities Index.
In the Eurostat research, Prague ranked fifth among Europe's 271 regions in terms of gross domestic product per inhabitant, achieving 172% of the EU average. It ranked just above Paris and well above the Czech Republic as a whole, which achieved 80% of the EU average.
Prague is also the site of some of the most important offices and institutions of the Czech Republic.
- President of the Czech RepublicPresident of the Czech RepublicThe President of the Czech Republic is the head of state of the Czech Republic. Unlike his counterparts in Austria and Hungary, who are generally considered figureheads, the Czech President has a considerable role in political affairs...
- The Government and both houses of ParliamentParliament of the Czech RepublicThe Parliament of the Czech Republic is the legislative body of the Czech Republic, based in Prague. It consists of two chambers, both elected in direct elections:* the Lower House: Chamber of Deputies of the Parliament of the Czech Republic...
- Ministries and other national offices (Industrial Property Office, Czech Statistical OfficeCzech Statistical OfficeThe Czech Statistical Office is the main organization which collects, analyzes and disseminates statistical information for the benefit of the various parts of the local and national governments of the Czech Republic...
, National Security Authority etc.) - Czech National BankCzech National BankThe Czech National Bank is the central bank and financial market supervisor in the Czech Republic with its headquarters in Prague. The Bank's governor is Miroslav Singer. In accordance with its primary objective, the ČNB sets monetary policy, issues banknotes and coins and manages the circulation...
- Czech TelevisionCeská televizeČeská televize is the public television broadcaster in the Czech Republic, broadcasting four channels.- Czechoslovak Television :Television in Czechoslovakia started to take its first steps before World War II. However, before visible results could be achieved, all activities were interrupted by...
and other major broadcasters - Radio Free Europe – Radio Liberty
- Galileo global navigation project
- Academy of Sciences of the Czech RepublicAcademy of Sciences of the Czech RepublicThe Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic was established in 1992 by the Czech National Council as the Czech successor of the former Czechoslovak Academy of Sciences. The Academy is the leading non-university public research institution in the Czech Republic...
Education
Several universities, colleges and schools are located in the city:
Public universities
- Charles UniversityCharles University in PragueCharles University in Prague is the oldest and largest university in the Czech Republic. Founded in 1348, it was the first university in Central Europe and is also considered the earliest German university...
founded in 1348, the oldest university in Central and Eastern Europe) - Czech Technical UniversityCzech Technical University in PragueCzech Technical University in Prague is one of the largest universities in the Czech Republic, and the oldest institute of technology in Central Europe....
(ČVUT) founded in 1707 - Institute of Chemical TechnologyInstitute of Chemical Technology in PragueInstitute of Chemical Technology Prague is the largest university specializing in chemistry in the Czech Republic. It was founded in 1952 and since that time it has been one of the leading research spots in Central Europe. More than 2,000 students are accepted every year...
(VŠCHT) founded in 1920 - University of EconomicsUniversity of Economics, PragueThe University of Economics, Prague, is a public university located in Prague, Czech Republic. It is the largest university in the field of economics, business and information technologies in the Czech Republic with almost 20,000 students in its bachelor, masters and doctoral programmes.-Schools...
(VŠE) founded in 1953 - Czech University of Agriculture (ČZU) founded in 1906/1952
Public arts academies
- Academy of Fine ArtsAcademy of Fine Arts in PragueThe Academy of Fine Arts, Prague was founded in 1799 and is the Czech Republic's oldest art college. The school offers twelve Master's degree programs and one Doctoral program.-History:...
(AVU) founded in 1800 - Academy of Arts, Architecture and Design (VŠUP) founded in 1885
- Academy of Performing ArtsAcademy of Performing Arts in PragueThe Academy of Performing Arts in Prague is a university level school of music, dance, drama, film, TV and multi-media studies.- Faculties :*Film and TV School - FAMU*Music Faculty - HAMU*Theatre Faculty - DAMU-Notable alumni:...
(AMU) founded in 1945
Private schools
- University of New York in Prague (UNYP) founded in 1998
- International School of PragueInternational School of PragueThe International School of Prague is an international school in Prague, Czech Republic. The school is divided into an Early Childhood Center , and Elementary, Middle and Upper Schools....
(ISP) founded in 1948 - Anglo-American UniversityAnglo-American CollegeAnglo-American University is an English-language university in Prague.Anglo-American University , founded in 1990, is the oldest private institution of higher education in the Czech Republic....
(AAU) founded in 1990 - University of Northern Virginia in Prague (UNVA) founded in 1998
- Architectural Institute in PragueARCHIPArchitectural Institute in Prague is a private international school of architecture with instruction in English.The school offers instruction only in the English language and is truly international, with an emphasis on international students and faculty. ARCHIP was established in 2010 and benefits...
(ARCHIP) founded in 2010 - The University of Finance and AdministrationThe University of Finance and AdministrationIn 1999 was issued the state approval for public benefit corporation providing tertiary education in the Czech Republic. Since 2009 full university status has been granted by the Accreditation Committee of the Czech government...
(VSFS) founded in 1999
International institutions
- Instituto CamõesInstituto CamõesThe Instituto Camões is an institution created in 1992 for the world-wide promotion of the Portuguese language and culture...
- Goethe-InstitutGoethe-InstitutThe Goethe-Institut is a non-profit German cultural institution operational worldwide, promoting the study of the German language abroad and encouraging international cultural exchange and relations. The Goethe-Institut also fosters knowledge about Germany by providing information on German...
- Instituto CervantesInstituto CervantesThe Cervantes Institute is a worldwide non-profit organization created by the Spanish government in 1991. It is named after Miguel de Cervantes , the author of Don Quixote and perhaps the most important figure in the history of Spanish literature...
- British CouncilBritish CouncilThe British Council is a United Kingdom-based organisation specialising in international educational and cultural opportunities. It is registered as a charity both in England and Wales, and in Scotland...
Science, research and hi-tech centres
The region city of Prague is an important centre of research. It is the seat of 39 out of 54 institutes of the Czech Academy of Sciences, including the largest ones, the Institute of Physics, the Institute of Microbiology and the Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry. It is also a seat of 10 public research institutes, four business incubator
s and large hospitals performing research and development
activities such as the Institute for Clinical and Experimental Medicine in Prague or the Motol University Hospital. Universities seated in Prague (see section Colleges and Universities) also represent important centres of science and research activities.
As of 2008, there were 13,000 researchers (out of 30,000 in the Czech Republic, counted in full-time equivalent), representing 3% share of Prague's economically active population. Gross expenditure on research and development accounted for 901.3 million € (41.5% of country's total).
Some well-known multinational companies have established research and development facilities in Prague, among them Siemens
, Honeywell
and Sun Microsystems
.
In 2010, Prague was selected to host administration of the EU satellite navigation system Galileo.
Transport
Public transportation
The public transport infrastructure consists of an intensely used integrated transport system of Prague Metro(its length is 59 km with 57 stations in total), Prague Tram System
(including the "nostalgic tram" no. 91), buses
, the Petřín funicular
to Petřín Hill
, and six ferries: PID, Pražská integrovaná doprava (Prague integrated transport system). Prague has one of the highest rates of public transport usage in the world with 1.2 billion passenger journeys per annum. Per capita usage of the Prague metro is the highest in the world.
The Metro has three major lines extending throughout the city; in June 2010, construction began to extend the green line further into the northwest corner of Prague and eventually to the airport. A fourth Metro line is planned, although a date for construction to begin has not yet been specified.
Though Melbourne has the longest tram track length in the world, Prague's tram network is one of the biggest in the world by other measures: it runs more trams (900 against 500 in Melbourne), has more routes (33 against 28) and carries more passengers (356 million against 178 million), the third highest tram patronage in the world after St Petersburg and Budapest. On a per capita basis, Prague has the second highest tram patronage after Zurich. All services have a common ticketing system, and are run by the Prague Public Transit(Dopravní podnik hl. m. Prahy, a.s.) and some other companies. Recently, Prague integrated transport coordinator (ROPID) has franchised operation of ferries on the Vltava river, which are also a part of the public transport system with common fares. Taxi services operate from regulated taxi stands, and from independent drivers who make pick-ups on the street..
Roads
The main flow of traffic leads through the centre of the city.The longest city tunnel in Europe with a proposed length of 5.5 kilometres (3.4 mi) and five interchanges is now being built to relieve congestion in the north-western part of Prague. Called Tunel Blanka and to be part of the Municipal Ring Road, it is estimated that it will now cost – after several increases – 38 billion CZK
. Construction started in 2007 and the tunnel is scheduled to be completed in 2013/2014.
There is also an ongoing project to create a ring road leading around the outskirts of the city. The southern part of this road (with a length of more than 20 kilometres (12 mi)) was opened on 22 September 2010.
Rail
The city forms the hub of the Czech railwaysystem, with services to all parts of the Czech Republic and abroad. The railway system links Prague with major European cities, including Munich (Germany); Berlin (Germany); Warsaw (Poland); Budapest (Hungary) and Vienna (Austria) (all of which can be reached without transfers). Travel times range between 3.5 hours to Berlin and approximately 10 hours to Warsaw.
Prague's main international railway station is Hlavní nádraží
(formerly called Wilsonovo nádraží). Rail services are also available from the main stations Praha-Smíchov and Praha-Holešovice, in addition to selected suburban stations.
Air
Prague is served by Prague Ruzyně Airport, the biggest airport in the Czech Republic and one of the busiest in Central and Eastern Europe. It is the hub of the flag carrier, Czech Airlines, as well as of the low-cost airlines Smart Wings
and Wizzair operating throughout Europe. Other airports in Prague include the city's original airport at the Kbely north-east district, which is serviced by the Czech Air Force
, internationally too: The runway (9–27) at Kbely is 2 km long. The airport also houses the Prague Aviation Museum
. Close to town the Letňany
airport is mainly used for private aviation and aeroclub aviation. Another airport in the proximity is Aero Vodochody
aircraft factory's on the north, used for testing purposes, as well as for aeroclub aviation. There are a few aeroclubs around Prague, such as the Točná airfield.
Sport

- Prague International MarathonPrague International MarathonThe Prague Marathon is held in the city of Prague Czech Republic each May. It was founded in 1995 and has grown to became a significant marathon event, being awarded IAAF Gold Label status...
- Sparta Prague (Europa League)
- Slavia Prague (Gambrinus ligaGambrinus LigaThe Gambrinus liga is a Czech professional league for football clubs. At the top of the Czech football league system, it is the country's primary football competition. It is contested by 16 clubs, operating a system of promotion and relegation with the Czech 2. Liga. Seasons run from August to May,...
). The venue of 2013 UEFA Super Cup2013 UEFA Super CupThe 2013 UEFA Super Cup is a football match scheduled to be played at Eden Stadium in Prague, Czech Republic, in August 2013. It will be the 38th UEFA Super Cup organised by the European football governing body UEFA, and the first to be held away from the Stade Louis II in Monaco since it became a...
. - Bohemians 1905 (Gambrinus liga)
- Dukla PragueFK Dukla PragueFK Dukla Prague is a Czech association football club located in Prague-Dejvice, Czech Republic. It currently plays in the Gambrinus liga.- History :It was founded in 1959 as FK Dukla Dejvice and in 2001 as FK Dukla Prague...
(Gambrinus liga) - Viktoria ŽižkovFK Viktoria ŽižkovFK Viktoria Žižkov ranks among the oldest football clubs in the Czech Republic. It plays in the Gambrinus liga, the top level of football in the country.The team was founded by a group of students in 1903 in the town of Žižkov...
(Gambrinus liga) - O2 Arena – NHLNational Hockey LeagueThe National Hockey League is an unincorporated not-for-profit association which operates a major professional ice hockey league of 30 franchised member clubs, of which 7 are currently located in Canada and 23 in the United States...
2008 and 2010 Opening Game, 2004 Men's World Ice Hockey Championships2004 Men's World Ice Hockey ChampionshipsThe 2004 Men's Ice Hockey Championships were held April 24-May 9, 2004, in Prague and Ostrava, Czech Republic. Games for this Ice Hockey World Championships tournament were played at Sazka Arena and ČEZ Aréna...
and EuroleagueEuroleagueEuroleague Basketball, commonly known as the Euroleague, is the highest level tier and most important professional club basketball competition in Europe, with teams from up to 18 different countries, members of FIBA Europe. For sponsorship reasons, for five seasons starting with 2010–2011, it is...
Final Four - Strahov StadiumStrahov StadiumThe Great Strahov Stadium is a stadium in the Strahov district of Prague, Czech Republic. The stadium is the largest in the world, and is the second largest sports facility worldwide after the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, seating around 220,000....
– the second-largest stadium in the world - ECM Prague OpenECM Prague OpenThe Strabag Prague Open is a tennis tournament held in Prague, the capital of the Czech Republic . Held since 1992 but interrupted between 1999 and 2005, this WTA Tour event is a WTA International Tournaments and is played on outdoor clay courts...
– Tennis Tournament held in the I. Czech Lawn Tennis ClubI. Czech Lawn Tennis ClubThe I. Česky Lawn Tennis Klub Praha is a tennis club located on Štvanice Island in the center of Prague, Czech Republic. The club was founded in 1893. The current stadium seats 8,000 spectators, and was built to host the 1986 Federation Cup. The club is the home of the Strabag Prague Open, an... - Sparta Prague OpenSparta Prague OpenThe Sparta Prague Open is a tennis tournament held in Prague, a city in Czech Republic. Held since 2010, this ITF Circuit event is a $100,000 tournament.-Singles:-Doubles:-External links:*...
– Tennis Tournament held in Prague 7Prague 7Prague 7 is a municipal district in Prague, Czech Republic.The administrative district of the same name consists of the quarters Letná, Holešovice, Bubny, Bubeneč, Troja as well as a small part of Liben. Its one of the smallest Prague districts and stretches along the left bank of the Vltava,... - Josef Odložil MemorialJosef Odložil MemorialThe Josef Odložil Memorial is an annual track and field meeting which takes place in June at the Stadion Juliska in Prague, Czech Republic....
– Athletics meeting - Mystic SK8 Cup – World cup of skateboarding
- World UltimateUltimate (sport)Ultimate is a sport played with a 175 gram flying disc. The object of the game is to score points by passing the disc to a player in the opposing end zone, similar to an end zone in American football or rugby...
Club Championships 2010
International relations
The city of Prague also maintains its own EU delegation in Brusselscalled Prague House.

The annual conference Forum 2000
, which was founded by former Czech President Václav Havel
, Japanese philanthropist Yohei Sasakawa
, and Nobel Peace Prize laureate Elie Wiesel
in 1996, is held in Prague. Its main objective is “to identify the key issues facing civilization and to explore ways to prevent the escalation of conflicts that have religion, culture or ethnicity as their primary components”, and also intends to promote democracy in non-democratic countries and to support civil society. Conferences have attracted a number of prominent thought leaders, Nobel laureates, former and acting politicians, business leaders and other individuals like: Frederik Willem de Klerk
, Bill Clinton
, Nicholas Winton
, Oscar Arias Sánchez, Dalai Lama
, Hans Küng
, Shimon Peres
, or Madeleine Albright
.
Twin towns – Sister cities
Prague is twinnedwith:
Beijing Beijing Beijing , also known as Peking , is the capital of the People's Republic of China and one of the most populous cities in the world, with a population of 19,612,368 as of 2010. The city is the country's political, cultural, and educational center, and home to the headquarters for most of China's... , China Berlin, Germany (1995) Brussels Brussels Brussels , officially the Brussels Region or Brussels-Capital Region , is the capital of Belgium and the de facto capital of the European Union... , Belgium (2003) Budapest Budapest Budapest is the capital of Hungary. As the largest city of Hungary, it is the country's principal political, cultural, commercial, industrial, and transportation centre. In 2011, Budapest had 1,733,685 inhabitants, down from its 1989 peak of 2,113,645 due to suburbanization. The Budapest Commuter... , Hungary Chicago Chicago Chicago is the largest city in the US state of Illinois. With nearly 2.7 million residents, it is the most populous city in the Midwestern United States and the third most populous in the US, after New York City and Los Angeles... , United States (1990) Frankfurt am Main, Germany (1990) Hamburg Hamburg -History:The first historic name for the city was, according to Claudius Ptolemy's reports, Treva.But the city takes its modern name, Hamburg, from the first permanent building on the site, a castle whose construction was ordered by the Emperor Charlemagne in AD 808... , Germany (1990) Jerusalem, Israel Lisbon Lisbon Lisbon is the capital city and largest city of Portugal with a population of 545,245 within its administrative limits on a land area of . The urban area of Lisbon extends beyond the administrative city limits with a population of 3 million on an area of , making it the 9th most populous urban... , Portugal |
Helsinki Helsinki Helsinki is the capital and largest city in Finland. It is in the region of Uusimaa, located in southern Finland, on the shore of the Gulf of Finland, an arm of the Baltic Sea. The population of the city of Helsinki is , making it by far the most populous municipality in Finland. Helsinki is... , Finland Kyoto Kyoto is a city in the central part of the island of Honshū, Japan. It has a population close to 1.5 million. Formerly the imperial capital of Japan, it is now the capital of Kyoto Prefecture, as well as a major part of the Osaka-Kobe-Kyoto metropolitan area.-History:... , Japan (1996) Moscow, Russia (1995) Nuremberg Nuremberg Nuremberg[p] is a city in the German state of Bavaria, in the administrative region of Middle Franconia. Situated on the Pegnitz river and the Rhine–Main–Danube Canal, it is located about north of Munich and is Franconia's largest city. The population is 505,664... , Germany (1990) Paris Paris Paris is the capital and largest city in France, situated on the river Seine, in northern France, at the heart of the Île-de-France region... , France (1997) Phoenix Phoenix, Arizona Phoenix is the capital, and largest city, of the U.S. state of Arizona, as well as the sixth most populated city in the United States. Phoenix is home to 1,445,632 people according to the official 2010 U.S. Census Bureau data... , United States (1991) Rome Rome Rome is the capital of Italy and the country's largest and most populated city and comune, with over 2.7 million residents in . The city is located in the central-western portion of the Italian Peninsula, on the Tiber River within the Lazio region of Italy.Rome's history spans two and a half... , Italy Lecce Lecce Lecce is a historic city of 95,200 inhabitants in southern Italy, the capital of the province of Lecce, the second province in the region by population, as well as one of the most important cities of Puglia... , Italy (2011) Teramo Teramo Teramo is a city and comune in the central Italian region of Abruzzo, the capital of the province of Teramo.The city, from Rome, is situated between the highest mountains of the Apennines and the Adriatic coast... Bratislava Bratislava Bratislava is the capital of Slovakia and, with a population of about 431,000, also the country's largest city. Bratislava is in southwestern Slovakia on both banks of the Danube River. Bordering Austria and Hungary, it is the only national capital that borders two independent countries.Bratislava... , Slovakia |
Rosh Haayin Rosh HaAyin Rosh HaAyin is a city in the Center District of Israel. To the west of Rosh HaAyin is the fortress of Antipatris and the source of the Yarkon River. To the southeast is the fortress of Migdal Afek... , Israel Rotterdam Rotterdam Rotterdam is the second-largest city in the Netherlands and one of the largest ports in the world. Starting as a dam on the Rotte river, Rotterdam has grown into a major international commercial centre... , Netherlands Saint Petersburg Saint Petersburg Saint Petersburg is a city and a federal subject of Russia located on the Neva River at the head of the Gulf of Finland on the Baltic Sea... , Russia (1991) Seoul Seoul Seoul , officially the Seoul Special City, is the capital and largest metropolis of South Korea. A megacity with a population of over 10 million, it is the largest city proper in the OECD developed world... , South Korea Stockholm Stockholm Stockholm is the capital and the largest city of Sweden and constitutes the most populated urban area in Scandinavia. Stockholm is the most populous city in Sweden, with a population of 851,155 in the municipality , 1.37 million in the urban area , and around 2.1 million in the metropolitan area... , Sweden Taipei Taipei Taipei City is the capital of the Republic of China and the central city of the largest metropolitan area of Taiwan. Situated at the northern tip of the island, Taipei is located on the Tamsui River, and is about 25 km southwest of Keelung, its port on the Pacific Ocean... , Taiwan (2001) Vienna Vienna Vienna is the capital and largest city of the Republic of Austria and one of the nine states of Austria. Vienna is Austria's primary city, with a population of about 1.723 million , and is by far the largest city in Austria, as well as its cultural, economic, and political centre... , Austria Copenhagen Copenhagen Copenhagen is the capital and largest city of Denmark, with an urban population of 1,199,224 and a metropolitan population of 1,930,260 . With the completion of the transnational Øresund Bridge in 2000, Copenhagen has become the centre of the increasingly integrating Øresund Region... , Denmark Vilnius Vilnius Vilnius is the capital of Lithuania, and its largest city, with a population of 560,190 as of 2010. It is the seat of the Vilnius city municipality and of the Vilnius district municipality. It is also the capital of Vilnius County... , Lithuania |
Namesakes
Czech emigration has left a number of namesake cities scattered over the globe, though more heavily concentrated in the New World.
Praha, Slovakia Praha, Slovakia Praha is a village and municipality in the Lučenec District in the Banská Bystrica Region of Slovakia.Praha was founded by the Hussites in the 15th century, the name obviously being inspired by the name of Prague, the Czech capital... Praha, Texas Praha, Texas Praha is an unincorporated community located in Fayette County, Texas, United States, approximately 53 miles southeast of Austin.-History:... , United States Prague, Oklahoma Prague, Oklahoma Prague is a city in Lincoln County, Oklahoma, United States. The population was 2,138 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Prague is located at .According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of , all of it land.... , United States Prague, Nebraska Prague, Nebraska Prague is a village in Saunders County, Nebraska, United States. The population was 346 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Prague is located at .... , United States New Prague, Minnesota New Prague, Minnesota As of the 2010 Census, there were 7,321 people and 2,711 occupied housing units in the city. The population density was 1,731.3 people per square mile . There were 2,862 total housing units at an average density of 658.9 per square mile . The population on the city limit signs state that New... , United States |
See also
- Outline of the Czech RepublicOutline of the Czech RepublicThe Czech Republic, also known as Czechia, is a landlocked sovereign country located in Central Europe and a member state of the European Union. The country has borders with Poland to the north, Germany to the west, Austria to the south, and Slovakia to the east. The capital and largest city is...
- GolemGolemIn Jewish folklore, a golem is an animated anthropomorphic being, created entirely from inanimate matter. The word was used to mean an amorphous, unformed material in Psalms and medieval writing....
- List of people from Prague
- Prague uprisingPrague uprisingThe Prague uprising was an attempt by the Czech resistance to liberate the city of Prague from German occupation during World War II. Events began on May 5, 1945, in the last moments of the war in Europe...
Further reading
- Jekova, Alena. 77 Prague Legends. Prague: Prah, 2006. ISBN 807252139X
- Prague Legends (Think Prague Magazine) (2002) Legend's of Prague
- Prague (Eyewitness Travel Guide by DK Publishing) (2009) excerpt and text search 2006 edition
- Prague (City Guide) by Neil Wilson (2009) excerpt and text search
- Praha – Prague and environs (by Čedok) (1926) digitised city guide from 1920s
- Rick Steves' Prague and The Czech Republic by Rick Steves and Honza Vihan (2009) excerpt and text search
- Wilson, Neil. Lonely Planet Prague (2007) excerpt and text search
- Wilson, Paul. Prague: A Traveler's Literary Companion (1995)
- Prague Top 10 (2011) Prague Top 10
Culture and society
- Becker, Edwin et al., ed. Prague 1900: Poetry and Ecstasy. (2000). 224 pp.
- Burton, Richard D. E. Prague: A Cultural and Literary History. (2003). 268 pp. excerpt and text search
- Cohen, Gary B. The Politics of Ethnic Survival: Germans in Prague, 1861–1914. (1981). 344 pp.
- Fucíková, Eliska, ed. Rudolf II and Prague: The Court and the City. (1997). 792 pp.
- Holz, Keith. Modern German Art for Thirties Paris, Prague, and London: Resistance and Acquiescence in a Democratic Public Sphere. (2004). 359 pp.
- Iggers, Wilma Abeles. Women of Prague: Ethnic Diversity and Social Change from the Eighteenth Century to the Present. (1995). 381 pp. online edition
- Porizka, Lubomir; Hojda, Zdenek; and Pesek, Jirí. The Palaces of Prague. (1995). 216 pp.
- Sayer, Derek. "The Language of Nationality and the Nationality of Language: Prague 1780–1920." Past & Present 1996 (153): 164–210. Issn: 0031-2746 Fulltext: in Jstor
- Spector, Scott. Prague Territories: National Conflict and Cultural Innovation in Kafka's Fin de Siècle. (2000). 331 pp. online edition
- Svácha, Rostislav. The Architecture of New Prague, 1895–1945. (1995). 573 pp.
- Wittlich, Peter. Prague: Fin de Siècle. (1992). 280 pp.
External links
- Commons:Atlas of Europe