Overview History City

Prague Overview

'The City of One Hundred Towers and Spires,' 'Golden Prague' - names that evoke the many aspects of this fascinating city. Its rich architectural heritage largely results from centuries of escaping the worst ravages of war, if anything, it has been too successful. Maintenance, especially of the painted stucco exteriors, is a constant process, even in the last century, travellers complained about scaffolding erected at many locations. Under the Communists, Prague was the showplace of the Warsaw Pact although in a muted fashion. Since the 1989 Velvet Revolution, the city has thrown off decades of oppression and is now returning to its former glory.

Situated in the valley of the Vltava (Moldau) River, Prague is dominated by the castle perched on the Western bluffs. Visitors are drawn to the 'fairy tale' aspect of Prague, but this is only part of its vibrant mixture of styles. Prague is unquestionably a city best explored on foot, the entire central has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Gothic churches rub shoulders with Cubist, Functionalist and ultra-modern buildings, classical music intermingles with jazz and rock, and monumental statues sit next to abstract works and even a Cubist lamppost.

Prague's present form was established by the Premyslid King Otakar II (1253-78) when the town was re-organised into three administrative districts: the Castle precincts (Hradcany), the Lesser Town below the Castle (Mala Strana) and Old Town (Stare Mesto). Across the river; the Jewish community was moved from Lesser Town to the Josefov ghetto to provide room for German traders.