Welcome to the Czech Republic and the beautiful city of Prague!
You're watching World Travel Guide, in this video you will learn some interesting
facts about Prague and its history, but also visit its most famous attractions.
Prague is the capital and largest city in the Czech Republic and the historical capital of
Bohemia. Located on the Vltava river, Prague is home to 1.3 million people. Prague is a
political, cultural and economic hub of central Europe, with a rich history and Romanesque, Gothic,
Renaissance and Baroque architecture. Its rich history makes it a popular tourist destination.
Prague receives more than 8.5 million international visitors annually,
and is the 5th most visited European city. Prague is home to a number of well-known
cultural attractions, many of which survived the violence and destruction of 20th century Europe.
Since 1992. the historic center of Prague has been included in the list of World Heritage Sites.
Before the arrival of the Slavs, certain regions of Prague were inhabited by Celtic and German tribes.
The name Bohemia came from the Celtic tribe called Boii, which is still used today for the western
part of the Czech Republic. Prague was part of the short-lived Great Moravian Empire, until the
Czechs finally broke away from it. Around 870. the Prague Castle was built. Soon after this, the area
around the castle fledged into an important trading center, where the merchants from all
over Europe came together. Prague bloomed in the 14th century under the Luxembourg dynasty, during
the reign of Charles IV, as Prague became one of Europe's largest and wealthiest cities. In 1355.
Charles IV was elected as the holy emperor and Prague became the capital of the Holy Roman Empire.
The dark age began in the 17th century, with uprising protests from the year 1618. This
led to the "30 years war", harming much of Europe and particularly Bohemia, where many people died.
The industrial revolution boomed in Prague. Many industries were established during this period.
In 1845. a railway was started, which connected Vienna to Prague. Prague became the capital of
independent Czechoslovakia, after the fall of the Austro-Hungarian Empire in 1918.
In 1948. the communists seized power and the country suffered harsh repression and decline.
On the 17th of November 1989. the Velvet Revolution started in Prague
and finally ended communism, making Czechoslovakia a democratic country.
Charles Bridge is a medieval stone arch-bridge, that crosses the Vltava river. Prague's oldest and most
famous bridge was built to replace the Judith Bridge, that had been badly damaged by floods
in 1342. Since 1870. the bridge has been called Charles Bridge. It is built of sandstone blocks,
flanked at each end by fortified towers. From 1683. to 1928. 30 statues of saints were carved
to decorate the bridge, the most famous of which is the statue of Saint John of Nepomuk. Public
transport operated here until the World War II and cars stopped driving across the bridge in 1965.
The Prague Castle has been an important symbol of the Czech state for more than a 1000 years.
It was founded in the 9th century and became the seat of Czech rulers and later presidents.
The castle, one of the largest complexes in the world, is made up of historical palaces, offices,
churches and fortification buildings, gardens and picturesque spots. It covers an area of 45 hectares.
According to the Guinness Book of World Records, Prague Castle is the largest coherent castle
complex in the world. The panoramic view of the castle is one of the most spectacular anywhere in
the world. It consists of a large-scale composition of palaces and ecclesiastical buildings of
various architectural styles, from the remains of Romanesque-style buildings from the 10th century,
through Gothic modifications of the 14th century. The Prague Castle is also a World heritage Site.
The St. Vitus Cathedral is the largest and the most important temple in Prague.
Apart from religious services, coronations of Czech kings and queens also took place here.
The cathedral is a place of burial of several sovereigns noblemen and archbishops. In 1344.
Charles IV began the construction of a gothic cathedral. Unfortunately, in 1419. the construction
of the cathedral stopped, because of the wars. In spite of the endeavors of some sovereigns
to secure the continuation of the construction work, the cathedral remained uncompleted for whole
centuries. In the latter half of the 19th century, the cathedral was completed in Neo-Gothic style.
One of Prague's most popular landmarks is the astronomical clock, located in Old Town Square.
It is well over 600 years old, and is one of the oldest functional astronomical clocks in the world.
This clock shows the relative positions of the Sun, Moon, Earth and Zodiac constellations. It also
tells the time, provides the date, and best of all, provides some theater for its viewers every hour.
In order to provide this level of functionality, the clock is split into several distinct parts.
The first and most striking is its impressive and beautifully ornate astronomical dial.
This represents the position of the sun and Moon in the sky, and other various astronomical details.
The Jewish Quarter in Prague is located between the Old Town Square and the Vltava river.
The torrid history of the former Jewish ghetto began in the 13th century, when Jewish people
were ordered to vacate their disparate homes and settle in this one area. Over the centuries, with
Jews banned from living anywhere else in Prague, and with new arrivals expelled from other parts of
Europe, even more people crowded into the quarter. Fortunately, most significant historical buildings
were saved from destruction, and they remain a testimony to the history of the Jews in Prague.
They form the best preserved complex of historical Jewish monuments in the whole of Europe.
The National Museum in Prague is the largest museum in the Czech Republic.
It covers a range of disciplines and collecting fields, from the natural sciences to specialized
areas of the social sciences. It brings together collections of materials documenting
the development of nature, and the history and prehistory of both Czech and foreign origins.
The museum's exhibits are located in a number of buildings around Prague.
The National Museum also organizes a range of cultural and educational programs.
Petrin Hill is one of the largest urban green areas, and its slopes are an oasis of peace in
the center of Prague. The Rose Garden at the top of Petrin Hill, and the Seminary Garden with more
than 2.000 fruit trees, are particularly magical. The hill is a favorite destination for families
with children and couples in love. The easiest way to reach the top of the hill is with the funicular.
The Petrin Lookout Tower is popular for its incredible views of the city.
Walking paths are all over the park, and are lined with benches with great views.
There are even several playgrounds here.
Prague has one of the best public transportation systems in Europe. The metro, trams and buses are
used by 70% of Prague's population, and cover the majority of the city and outskirts. The metro makes
getting around the town a breeze, since it enables you to cover long distances in a matter of minutes.
If you can't continue to your destination on foot, you'll be able to catch a tram
or bus from near the subway station. The only times you may want to consider driving or taking a taxi
are commute times. The Prague Airport is located about 15 kilometers from the city center. It takes
approximately 25 minutes to reach the center by car, and about 30 minutes on public transport.
The best time to visit Prague is in late spring or early fall, just before and after
the peak summer tourist season. You should plan to arrive in May or September for comfortable
temperatures around 20 °C, ideal for sightseeing without having to battle big crowds.
Lower airfares and reduced hotel rates may be found too. Cruising the river Vltava is
a great way to view Prague's magnificent historic buildings and monuments from a
different perspective. Cruises are available throughout the year, and no matter what the season,
it's likely to be a pleasurable experience, although boats are often jam-packed in the summer.
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