Prague
General Information
Prague came into existence as a town when after 870 Prague Castle was built. A century later, Vyšehrad could be seen imposing on the town skyline. In the 11th century, the first Czech king, Vratislav I, chose Prague as his capital. In the centuries to follow, up to today Prague has become the political center it used to be a powerful city used by all ruling dynasties as their capital. The city's prestige increased at the end of the 16th century during the reign of Rudolf II Caesar - and became a center of social and cultural life within this period. Prague's motto reads "Praga caput rei publicaei". The text is appropriate, as the city has always played an important part in the history of the nation, country and Europe. Since medieval times, Prague has been known as one of the most beautiful cities in the world and is still called "golden", "steepled" or "the crown of the world".
Down the centuries, major cultural and political personalities have paid homage to Prague; W. A. Mozart, L. van Beethoven, F. M. Dostojevskij, A. Rodin, O. Kokoschka, Elisabeth the Queen and John Paul II., just to name a few, have allowed the spirit and beauty of the city to enchant them. Its atmosphere has been reflected in the works of world-class artists, e.g. Alfons Mucha, Franz Kafka, Max Brod, Jan Neruda, Jaroslav Hašek, Jaroslav Seifert or Egon Erwin Kisch. Prague is not only the centre of cultural movements dating back for centuries; it also exhibits a unique collection of historical monuments, dominated by Prague castle. Art from every period in history can be found here in the capital. Historical center of the town occupies both banks of Vltava river and consists of 6 districts: Old Town, Josefov (the part of Jewish town which remains the same today - currently a part of Old Town), New Town, Lesser Town, Hradčany and Vyšehrad. These districts host the majority of historical landmarks, museums and galleries. Prague is the most precious Czech historical city site. In 1992, the historical center of the city (866 hectares) was listed in the UNESCO list of cultural and natural monuments, as a town with a unique and lively blend of roman, gothic, renaissance, baroque, Art Nouveau and cubist architecture. Prague was one of nine European cities awarded the title European City of Culture 2000 by the Council of EC ministers. Prague is the seat of the president of the republic and is home to all the main political, economical, cultural and educational institutions. In 1348 in Prague Charles University was founded as one of the oldest universities in Europe. Prague is a gateway to the Czech Republic and it is an important Central European centre. Prague has nearly 1,2 million inhabitants.
One of the most beautiful European cities, Prague, has been a cultural, political and scientific centre of the region for over a millenium. The first university in Central Europe was founded here in 1348. As a result of its long and colourful history, Prague offers the visitors an opportunity to enjoy numerous jewels of Romanesque, Gothic, Renaissance, Baroque, Empire and Art Nouveau architecture in addition to outstanding art collections, theatre and music.
City in the heart of Europe is also known well for its historical atmosphere and cultural traditions. Prague often called "Golden" or "hundred-spired" belongs to the architecturally unique European towns, attractive for visitors from around the world. Prague Castle is one of the larges castle complexes in central Europe. The construction of the castle reached its peak during the reign of the emperor Rudolf II at the end of the 16th century, when the castle became an important European center of sciences and fine art.
Prague visitors can also walk through the fascinating Jewish Ghetto with its unique 15th century Old Jewish Cemetery (1200 tombstones), the Jewish Museum, the Pinkas, Spanish, Maisl and Klaus Synagogues and the ancient Gothic-style Old-New Synagogue - the oldest synagogue still in use in Europe. The most frequently visited tombstone in the cemetery is that of Rabbi Löw, autor of the legendary Golem, a mythical clay person created to protect the Jewish Quarter. In Old Town Hall you can see famous Astronomical clock and other monuments.
Interesting Places
National Gallery - originated from the first Prague public art gallery which had been established in 1796 as the second oldest European art gallery (after Louvre).
Prague Castle Picture Gallery - displays exquisite 16th to 18th century European and Czech artworks (Tintoretto, Tizian, Veronese, Rubens, Brandl, Kupecky, etc.)
Sternberg Palace (Sternbersky palac) - Old European Art
address: Hradcanske namesti 15, Prague 1
Icons, Italian art of the 14th - 15th centuries and the 1st half of the 16th century (Lorenzo Monaco, A. Bronzino, P. Veneto), 15th - 16th century Dutch painting (J. Ribera, G. B.Tiepolo, El Greco, Goya), the best known 16th - 18th century European painting (P.P. Rubens, A. van Dyck, J. Jordaens, Rembrandt H. van Rijn, Frans Hals, H. Holbein, A. Durer)
St.George's Monastery at Prague Castle (Klaster sv.Jiri)
address: Jirske namesti 33, Prague 1
The permanent exposition of Czech medieval art
Zbraslav Chateau
address: Prague 5 - Zbraslav
Permanent exposition of Asian arts of Prague´s National Gallery
Trade Fair Palace (Veletrzni palac) - Collection of modern and contemporary art
address: Dukelskych hrdinu 47, Prague 7
Permanent exposition of 19th and 20th century art This interdisciplinary exposition of art presents the works by key Czech fine artists. Its first part displayed on the third and fourth floors presents the works by prominent 19th centuries personalities, as well as 19th and 20th century French art, the works by the founding generation of modern art and leading 20th century up to 1930.
Convent of St. Agnes F Bohemia (Klášter sv. Anežky České)
address: Prague 1, Milosrdných 17
Medieval Arts - gothic panel paintings (Master of the Vyšší Brod Altar, Magister Theodoricus, Master of the Altar of Třeboň), gothic sculpture (Master of the Mourning from Žebrák).
Kinský Palace (Palác Kinských)
address: Prague 1, Staroměstské náměstí 12
Graphic collection. Information centre of National Gallery.
Troja Castle (Trojský zámek)
address: Prague 7, U Trojského zámku 1
Czech painting of the 19th century, its response to contemporary European art and its approach to Czech History.
Golden Rings House (Dům u zlatého prstenu)
address: Prague 1, Týnská 6
20th century art (1900 -1990)
Bílek's Villa (Bílkova vila)
address: Prague 6, Mickiewiczova 1
Works of the sculpture František Bílek (1872 - 1941), one of the leading artists of the art-nouveau symbolism. The exposition is situated in the villa that was designed by the artist himself and built in 1911.
Stone Bell House (Dům u kamenného zvonu)
address: Prague 1, Staroměstské náměstí 13
Occasional exhibitions.
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