Prague

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Introduction

Welcome to Prague, the magical city of bridges, cathedrals, gold-tipped towers and church domes, whose image has been mirrored in the surface of the Vltava river for more than ten centuries. While in Prague, you will encounter incredible historical points of interest. It is home of the oldest university behind the Alps (Charles University - founded by Charles IV of Luxembourg in the 14th century). It has many other universities, theatres, concert halls, museums, galleries and other cultural and social establishments. We encourage you to make time to see Prague, it is a city of matchless European splendor.

History

Prague during the last 1,000 years of triumphs in art and architecture has collided, often violently, with power politics and religious conflicts. The streets and squares fronting the grand halls have often been the stages for tragedy. The well-worn cobblestones have felt the hooves of king's horses, the jackboots of Hitler's armies, the heaving wheels of Soviet tanks, and the shuffling feet of students in passive revolt. Conflicts past and present give the city an eclectic energy. The atmosphere continually reminds us that monarchs and dictators have tried to possess this city for much of the past millennium.

History of Prague going through the centuries

Around 880 Prague Castle is founded. Prague is establish.
973 Prague bishopric is founded
10th century Vysehrad Castle on the opposite bank of the Vltava river is founded and St. Vitus Cathedral rotunda
1085 Vratislav II. Becomes the first Czech king.
1172 The first stone bridge over the river Vltava - Judita´s Bridge.
1231 The Old Town (Stare Mesto) is founded later.
1257 Foundation of Lesser Town (Mala Strana).
1310 - 1346 John of Luxembourg rules the country.
1320 The Hradcany the area around Prague Castle is founded.
1338 The Old Town Hall is founded
1342 The Judita´s bridge collapses
1344 Prague bishopric is upgraded to an archbishopric.).
1346-1378 Charles IV rules the country. Prague becomes one of the most modern cities in Europe.
1348 The New Town (Nove Mesto) is founded
1348 The Charles University, first university in Central Europe is established. Construction of St. Vitus cathedral begins.
1355 Charles IV becomes Holy Roman Emperor
1357 Construction of the Charles Bridge
1419-1437 The Hussite wars as a result of the religious conflicts between the Hussites and the Roman Catholic Church.
1526 Hapsburg dynasty and the seat of power moves to Vienna
1575-1611 Rudolf II becomes the Czech king and moves to Prague. Prague is called "Magic Prague"
1620 the Battle of the White Mountain – the protestants are defeated and the Dark Age begins.
1781 Joseph II issues the Edict of Tolerance
1784 Four independent urban areas are united by Joseph II.
1784 Czech national revival (Narodni Obrozeni) begins
1845 A railway between Prague and Vienna is open
1918 Proclamation of the independence of Czechoslovakia and Prague as capital of the new state.
1939-1945 Occupation by Nazi Germany.
1945 The Prague uprising, "liberation" of Prague by the Soviet army.
1948 Communist Party after the February putsch.
1968 Prague Spring – Dubcek´s attempt to reform socialism, intervention of the Warsaw Pact.
1989 17NOV Velvet revolution brings the end of Communism.
1990 Vaclav Havel elected President of Czechoslovakia.
1993 January 1, Czechoslovakia splits in two independent states
1993 Vaclav Havel elected first president of the Czech Republic.
1999 Czech Republic joins the NATO.
2004 May 1, Czech Republic joins the European Union (E.U.).