Prague is often called "Golden Prague," the "Heart of Europe," and the "City of a Hundred Spires." The city is known for the exceptional preservation of its historical center, which has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1992. Today, Prague ranks among the top ten most visited tourist destinations in the world, welcoming millions of guests annually. They are drawn by its architectural richness, gastronomic traditions, and the unique atmosphere of a medieval city.
History of Prague
From the legendary Princess Libuše to the capital of the Czech Republic. According to legend, Prague was founded by Princess Libuše, who foretold great glory for the city. The historical chronicle begins in the 9th century, when Prague Castle was founded on the left bank of the Vltava River as the seat of the Czech princes. Soon after, the rival fortress of Vyšehrad arose on the right bank.
The true flourishing came in the 14th century when Emperor Charles IV made Prague the capital of the Holy Roman Empire. In 1344, construction began on St. Vitus Cathedral; in 1348, Charles University — the first in Central Europe — was founded; and the emperor himself laid the foundation for the New Town (Nové Město) and a new stone bridge.
The 15th century brought the Hussite Wars, which began with the First Defenestration of Prague in 1419. After a brief period of prosperity under Rudolf II, the Second Defenestration of 1618 sparked the Thirty Years` War, after which the Czech lands came under Habsburg rule for three centuries.
In the 19th century, Prague became the center of the Czech National Revival. In 1918, following the dissolution of Austria-Hungary, it became the capital of independent Czechoslovakia. The city suffered almost no damage during World War II, allowing its historical center to be preserved in pristine beauty. Since 1993, Prague has been the capital of the Czech Republic. Today, it is one of the most visited capitals in Europe.
The Architectural Code of Prague
Prague`s architecture is a unique encyclopedia of European styles, where Romanesque rotundas stand alongside Gothic cathedrals, Baroque palaces with Cubist houses, and the famous "dancing" houses and the futuristic "Dancing House" with historical ensembles.
Romanesque Style. Fragments of buildings from the 10th–12th centuries can be found in the cellars of old buildings. The most famous is the Rotunda of the Holy Cross, one of the few completely preserved structures from that era.
Gothic. The 14th century, the era of Charles IV, was the triumph of Gothic. The main masterpiece is St. Vitus Cathedral at Prague Castle, a jewel of late Gothic architecture that took nearly 600 years to build. The city`s symbol is the Old Town Hall with its astronomical clock, the Orloj — the third oldest in the world and the oldest still operating. Other Gothic gems include the Church of Our Lady before Týn (Týn Church) on the Old Town Square and the Powder Tower.
Renaissance. The era of Rudolf II brought the breath of the Italian Renaissance to Prague. The most striking example is the Summer Palace of Queen Anne (Belvedere) in the Royal Garden of Prague Castle, with its elegant arcades and the "Singing" Fountain. Renaissance elements are visible in the Schwarzenberg Palace on Hradčany Square, decorated with sgraffito technique.
Baroque. The 17th and 18th centuries left a profound mark on Prague, gifting the city with many majestic buildings. Influenced by the Jesuits and triumphant Catholicism, the city was adorned with churches and palaces. Style masterpieces include St. Nicholas Church on Malá Strana Square, the Wallenstein Palace with its garden, the Kinský Palace, and the Baroque sculptures on Charles Bridge.
19th Century and Art Nouveau. The era of the National Revival and Romanticism gave the city the monumental buildings of the National Theatre and the National Museum on Wenceslas Square. At the turn of the century, Art Nouveau arrived in Prague in its Czech variant. The most famous buildings of this style are the Main Railway Station and the House of the Black Madonna.
Contemporary Architecture. The 20th and 21st centuries have also left their mark. Post-war brutalism is represented by the Žižkov Television Tower. The symbol of the new, democratic Prague became the "Dancing House" by architects Frank Gehry and Vlado Milunić — a building resembling a dancing couple, now one of the city`s main landmarks.
Sights of Prague
Prague Castle (Pražský hrad). The largest ancient castle complex in the world according to the Guinness Book of Records, a symbol of Czech statehood. Located on the left bank of the Vltava, it represents an entire city within a city. Within its walls are:
• St. Vitus Cathedral — the spiritual symbol of the country, the site of coronations and the burial place of Czech kings. It impresses with its stained glass, mosaics, and royal mausoleum.
• The Old Royal Palace with the legendary Vladislav Hall, where knightly tournaments were held.
• St. George`s Basilica — the oldest surviving church within the castle walls.
• Golden Lane — a row of miniature houses built into the fortress wall, where craftsmen and alchemists lived, and for a time, the writer Franz Kafka.
Charles Bridge (Karlův most). The main pedestrian artery and one of the most romantic landmarks in Europe. The 520-meter-long bridge was founded by Charles IV in 1357. It is adorned on both sides by 30 Baroque statues, the most famous being those of St. John of Nepomuk and the knight Bruncvík. The bridge is always bustling: musicians play, artists sell their work, and tourists make wishes by touching the bronze figures. The best time to visit is early morning or late evening.
Old Town Square (Staroměstské náměstí). The heart of historical Prague since the 12th century. The square is surrounded by buildings from different eras. The main features:
• The Astronomical Clock (Orloj) on the Old Town Hall. Every hour, to the chime of the bells, a small performance takes place: figures of the apostles pass by the windows, while symbols of death and vanity remind us of the transience of life.
• Týn Church (Church of Our Lady before Týn) — the Gothic dominant of the square with its two sharp spires.
• The Jan Hus Memorial — an Art Nouveau monument in the center of the square.
Wenceslas Square (Václavské náměstí). One of the main squares of the New Town, founded by Charles IV. It is more of a wide boulevard than a traditional square — the center of modern business and commercial life. At one end rises the majestic building of the National Museum, and at its foot stands an equestrian statue of St. Wenceslas, the patron saint of the Czech lands. This is a place of historic demonstrations and public gatherings.
Vyšehrad. An ancient fortress on a rock above the Vltava, a rival to Prague Castle. According to legend, Princess Libuše prophesied the founding of Prague from here. Today it is a quiet and cozy district with parks, bastions, the Rotunda of St. Martin, and the Gothic Church of Sts. Peter and Paul. At Vyšehrad Cemetery are buried many great Czechs, including the composers Bedřich Smetana and Antonín Dvořák.
Josefov (Jewish Quarter). One of the best-preserved Jewish quarters in Europe, with a history dating back to the 13th century. Here you will find the Old-New Synagogue, the Jewish Town Hall, and the Old Jewish Cemetery with its thousands of tombstones.
Petřín Hill and Lookout Tower. A favorite relaxation spot for Praguers. You can reach the top by funicular. Here you will find a park, a rose garden, the Mirror Maze, and the Petřín Lookout Tower, resembling a smaller copy of the Eiffel Tower. From its height, the best panorama of the city opens up.
Prague`s Districts, Palaces, and Other Gems
Malá Strana (Lesser Town). A picturesque district at the foot of Prague Castle. A labyrinth of narrow streets, Baroque palaces, embassies, and famous palace gardens open to visitors in summer. Here you will find the Wallenstein Palace with peacocks in its garden and St. Nicholas Church with its green dome.
Hradčany. The district directly adjacent to Prague Castle. The main attraction is Strahov Monastery with its rich library and famous brewery.
Nové Město (New Town). The district founded by Charles IV. Besides Wenceslas Square, it is home to Charles Square and the Dancing House.
Žižkov. A bohemian district with a controversial character. Here you will find the Žižkov Television Tower with its crawling babies, numerous pubs, and the oldest brick viaduct.
Prague`s Parks, Water, and Special Flavor
Vltava River. Boat trips on the Vltava are an excellent way to see Prague Castle and Charles Bridge from the water, especially at sunset.
Letná. A park on the high bank of the Vltava offering a splendid panorama of Prague. A giant metronome stands here on the site of a former monument to Stalin.
Kampa. An island on the Vltava below Charles Bridge, called the "Venice of Prague." A cozy place for walks.
Unusual Corners and Contemporary Spaces of Prague
• Lennon Wall. A former ordinary wall that, after John Lennon`s death, turned into a spontaneous memorial with inscriptions, quotes from The Beatles` songs, and graffiti. A symbol of freedom and non-conformist culture.
• Žižkov Television Tower. A futuristic building with the unique installation "Babies" by the controversial sculptor David Černý. The tower has an observation deck and a restaurant.
• House at the Minute (Dům U Minuty). A Renaissance house in the center of Old Town Square, decorated with sgraffito, where Franz Kafka lived as a child.
• Museum of Communism. A museum depicting life in Czechoslovakia during the era of the totalitarian regime.
Prague`s Surroundings: Gems Beyond the Capital
Prague is beautiful, but the beauty of the Czech lands unfolds even more when you leave the capital and head for its picturesque surroundings. Medieval castles on cliffs, towns where silver was minted, churches made of bones, and protected rock labyrinths — all are within an hour or an hour and a half`s journey from Prague`s center.
Kutná Hora. Distance from Prague: ~65 km, 45–60 minutes by train or car. The second most important city of the medieval Czech kingdom, once rivaling Prague in wealth due to its silver mines. Today it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Karlstejn Castle. Distance from Prague: ~30 km, 30–40 minutes by train. The most famous Gothic castle in the Czech Republic, founded by Emperor Charles IV in the 14th century to house the royal treasures and relics. It majestically towers on a 72-meter-high rock above the Berounka River.
Konopiste Castle. Distance from Prague: ~45 km, 50–60 minutes by car. A romantic castle in the French Gothic style, known as the last residence of Archduke Franz Ferdinand, whose assassination in Sarajevo sparked World War I. The castle is surrounded by a picturesque English park with a rose garden.
Český ráj (Bohemian Paradise). Distance from Prague: ~90 km, 1–1.5 hours by car or 2 hours by train. The first nature reserve in the Czech Republic (protected since 1955), listed as a UNESCO Geopark. It is a land of amazing rock cities, where sandstone towers, arches, and labyrinths create fantastic landscapes, and ancient castles nestle among the rocks.
Krivoklat Castle. Distance from Prague: ~50 km, 50 minutes by car. One of the oldest and most significant medieval castles of the Czech kings, founded in the 12th century. It is located in picturesque forests among the hills.
Dobris Castle. Distance from Prague: ~50 km, 50–60 minutes by car. A luxurious 18th-century castle in the Baroque and Rococo style, surrounded by a magnificent French garden with neatly trimmed hedges and an English park.
Prague is the capital of the Czech Republic, a city with a population of about 1.3 million in the central part and over 2 million in the metropolitan area. It is a city that doesn`t need to be conquered, but to be fallen in love with.
