Prague is the capital of the Czech Republic. Prague is a city in
which many centuries have immortalized themselves: the golden city.
The bombs of World War II spared its towers and walls, but the older
past has left its scars: religious strife, wars and looting. Time
and again, however, Prague rose from the ashes like a phoenix and in
modern times managed to rise to become a European cultural
metropolis.
The oldest written mention comes from the year
928. The castles were expanded before and around 1100 by the German
settlers. These were granted the letter of freedom by Sobieslaw II.
In 1235 the old town, and in 1257 the Lesser Town below the
Hradschin, received German city rights and walls. King Ottokar II
beautified the city and rebuilt the royal castle on the Hradschin,
whose size and prosperity was due to the Roman-German Emperor
Charles IV (1346 - 1378). He laid out the new town, initially called
Karlstadt, and drew a stone wall around the Lorenzberg, Strahow and
the Hradschin.
Prague was one of the most important cities in
Europe and became the center of the Holy Roman Empire. Under his
reign, the first university in Central Europe and in 1344 the St.
Vitus Cathedral, the foundation stone for St. Vitus Cathedral was
laid, the Charles Bridge (Karlův most) was built and the New Town
(Nové Město) was laid out around the old town. Prague was a center
of culture and art. Since that time, generations of rulers and
builders have contributed to the splendor of this city.
Historical events that have Prague in their name include the first
and second Prague Defenestration (1419 and 1618) and the Prague
Spring of 1968.
In 1992, the historic center of Prague with
the districts of Old Town with Josefstadt, New Town, Lesser Town,
Hradschin with Prague Castle, Hradčany Castle, Vyšehrad Stronghold
and Průhonice Castle Park (south of Prague) were included in the
UNESCO World Heritage List.
From the very beginning, the
Moldau (Vltava) was the lifeline of the ancient royal city of
Prague, protection against attackers and an important trade route at
the same time. Today the river is a romantic eye-catcher, which
usually finds its way sluggishly through the surrounding seven hills
and divides the city into two halves. Floods separated the
settlements on both sides of the river several times with
devastating force. It took centuries until a permanent crossing over
the Vltava was created, first with the stone Judith Bridge and later
with the Charles Bridge. The course of the river has changed
significantly since the Middle Ages. Surrounded by stone quay walls
and regulated by weirs, the river is now also passable for shipping.
Prague is made up of 22 districts: Praha 1 to Praha 22. Praha 1 is
the oldest part of the city and has the most tourist attractions. This
district can be divided into the following articles:
Hradcany −
(Hradčany) — with Prague Castle (Pražský hrad) and St. Vitus Cathedral
(Katedrála svatého Víta) above Lesser Town.
Lesser Town (Malá Strana)
— The district below Prague Castle became the city of the rich and
nobility after two devastating fires. Magnificent palaces and churches
bear witness to this to this day. Location of most national
institutions.
Old Town (Staré Město) — the core of the city on the
right bank of the river; oldest part of Prague.
Josefstadt (Josefov)
— the former Jewish quarter of Prague.
Lower New Town (Nové Město)
eastern part − south-east of the Old Town (town) originated in the 14th
century. — Heuwaagsplatz (Senovážne náměstí)
Prague 2:
Upper
New Town (Nové Město) southern part — south of the Old Town (town) arose
in the 14th century. — Charles Square (Karlovo náměstí)
Vinohrady —
Prague State Opera (Státní opera Praha), Theater in the Vineyards
(Divadlo na Vinohradech), Main Train Station (Praha hlavní nádraží).
Today's outskirts of Prague were originally villages in the open
country around Prague, which were only incorporated in the late 19th and
20th centuries, when the growing city "swallowed" them. They can be
summarized as follows:
North — Prague 7, Prague 8 and Prague 9.
East — Prague 3, Prague 10, Prague 14 and Prague 15.
South — Praha 4,
Praha 11 and Praha 12, with Vyšehrad Fortress
West — Prague 5, Prague
6 and Prague 13.
1 Saint
Vitus Cathedral (Katedrála sv. Víta) . The largest and most
important church in Prague. The crown chamber, the Wenceslas Chapel, the
crypt and several imperial tombs can be seen in the church. Open:
Nov-Mar 9am-4pm, Apr-Oct 9am-5pm. Price: Kč 350 (in combination with
other structures of Prague Castle); During the services, the cathedral
can be visited for free if you tell the doorman that you want to pray.
2
Church of Our Lady before Tyn
or Tyn Church (Týnský chrám), Staroměstské náměstí, Prague 1 . Also
called Church of the Virgin Mary.
3 Church of St. Nicholas (Kostel
svatého Mikuláše), Malostranské náměstí110 00 Praha, Malá Strana.
Magnificent baroque church with 70 m high dome and bell tower. Inside:
1500 m² ceiling fresco Apotheosis of St. Nicholas.
4
Church of Saint
Nicholas (Kostel svatého Mikuláše; Old Town Square)
. Baroque church on the Old Town Square.
5
Strahov Monastery (Královská
kanonie premonstrátů na Strahově), Strahovské nádvorí 1/132 . Abbey of
the Premonstratensian order with opulent baroque furnishings, library
and other monastery rooms. Open: 9am-12pm and 1pm-5pm.
6 Old-New
Synagogue (Staronová synagoga), Červená street, Staré Město, Prague .
Open: Apr-Oct Sun-Fri 9am-6pm, Nov-Mar Sun-Fri 9am-5pm. Price: 200 Kč.
1
Prague Castle (Pražský
hrad) . Prague Castle is the city's landmark, enthroned on the Castle
Hill (Hradschin), is the seat of the Czech President and the historic
site of the second Prague Defenestration. Open: 6am-10pm. Price: free.
2 Troja Castle (Trojský zámek) . The 17th-century baroque palace in the
northern part of Troja was built by the Sternberk family in the 17th
century. The rich interior depicts the glory of the Habsburgs, in
particular the victories of Emperor Leopold I over the Turks. Open: Apr.
to Oct. Tue to Sun 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Nov. to March Sat, Sun 10 a.m. to 5
p.m. Price: Kč 100, first Tuesday of the month free.
Charles Bridge (Karlův
most). The tourist attraction in Prague spans the Vltava River. Here the
rush is (almost) always huge.
Petřín internet lookout tower. A 60 m
high observation tower modeled after the Eiffel Tower from 1891. There
is a lift for the disabled.
Prague TV Tower (Žižkovský vysílač). The
city's new landmark, completed in 1992, with idiosyncratic architecture
and a restaurant.
Old Town Hall (Staroměstská radnice), Staroměstské
náměstí 1/3 . On the side you can see the astronomical apostle clock
(orloj).
Municipal House (Obecní dům), Náměstí Republiky 5, Náměstí
Republiky 1090/5 . extravagant monumental Art Nouveau building with 6
halls. The largest hall is the Smetana Hall with 1,500 seats, where the
independence of the Czechoslovak Republic was proclaimed in 1918.
Waldstein Palace (Valdštejnský paláce) . The largest palace in Prague.
Lobkowicz Palace internet (Lobkovický paláce). Today the German embassy
is housed here. Many GDR citizens fled here in 1989 to emigrate to the
FRG.
New Town Hall (Novoměstská radnice) . The first Prague
defenestration took place here in 1419.
National Theater (Národní
divadlo)
State Opera (Státní opera Praha), Wilsonova 4, Legerova
57/75, 110 00 Praha (metro station line A, line C Muzeum)
Jan Hus Monument (pomník Mistra Jana Husa)
St. Wenceslas Monument
(pomník sv. Václava)
National Museum (Národní muzeum). Tel.: +420 224 497 111, e-mail:
nm@nm.cz. Open: 10am-6pm. Price: 260 Kč.
National Technical Museum
Prague (budova Národního technického muzea), Kostelní 42 commons. Open:
Tuesday to Sunday, 9.00 a.m. - 6.00 p.m. Price: 250 Kč.
Franz Kafka
Museum (Muzeum Franze Kafky), Cihelna 2b. A museum with practically no
originals and often barely legible texts, made for foreign tourists.
Rather weak from a museological perspective. Open: Mon-Sun 10 a.m. - 6
p.m. Price: 260 Kč.
Old Town Square (Staroměstské náměstí) . The central market square in
the old town.
Republic Square (Namestí Republiky)
Wenceslas Square
(Václavské náměstí) . The square is more of a boulevard with many
fashion boutiques and restaurants.
Charles Square (Karlovo náměstí)
Letná Park (Letenské sady) . From here you have one of the most
beautiful views of the Old Town, the Vltava River and the Charles
Bridge. There is also the work of art Metronome on the site of a
former Stalin monument.
Old Jewish Cemetery (židovský hřbitov) .
Open: Sun-Fri 9am - 4:30pm. Price: 500 Kč.
New Jewish Cemetery
(Nový židovský hřbitov) . The grave of Franz Kafka is also located
here.
Olšany Cemetery (Olšanské hřbitovy) . Biggest cemetery in
Prague. Some tombstones are from k.u.k. time and therefore in
German.
Prague Communism tour, Male namesti. 11. You will also visit a
nuclear bunker in Žižkov. Open: 10:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. Price: 700 CZK.
Daily and private tours in German: pragtourist.cz
Many offers for
city tours can also be found on the website of the authorized city
guides in Prague
A selection of German-speaking guided tours in
Prague (private or public): stadtfuehrung-auf-deutsch.de
There are
also free walking tours in different neighborhoods, e.g. B. Old Town,
New Town or Hradschin. Payment is on a voluntary basis.
It is
recommended to book city tours in good time. This applies in particular
to private tours in the high season. Private city guides are often
booked up quickly.
There are a number of sightseeing tours by bus or tram in Prague:
The yellow hop-on hop-off bus travels through Prague on two lines. The
tickets are valid for 24 or 48 hours. A recorded audio commentary runs
on the bus. Price from 680 CZK for adults. Information on stops and
timetable: hop-on-hop-off-bus.de/prag
The red hop-on hop-off bus runs
through Prague on one line. This provider makes fewer stops. Tickets are
also valid for up to 48 hours.
The historic tram line 42 was
established for tourists. The tram only runs on weekends and public
holidays. Price: 250 CZK for adults. Schedule: Historic Tram
There
are also city tours in the bus without getting on and off several times.
These are already available for the equivalent of less than 20 euros.
Providers include Martin Tour.
Visit to the zoo
Prague Zoo
(Zoo Praha), U Trojskeho zamku 120/3 (Accessible by bus line 112 from
metro station Nádraží Holešovice line C or by bus line 236 from Podhoří
station (ferry)) wikipediacommons. Open: March 9 - 17, April, May,
September, October: 9 - 18, June - August: 9 - 21, November - February 9
- 16. Price: 200 CZK, children (3 to 15 years): 150 CZK,
Pupils/students: 150 CZK, pensioners: 150 CZK, pensioners over 70: 1
CZK, families: (2 adults + 2 children from 3 to 15 years) 600 CZK (+ 100
CZK for each additional child), children under 3 years free ).
boat trips
Romantic boat trips on the Vltava are popular in
Prague. Boats leave the docks daily throughout the year. You can order
tickets on the Prague cruises page. There are three programs to choose
from:
1-hour trip on the Vltava River, daily at 12 and 4 p.m.,
ticket: adults 190 CZK, children from 3 to 11 years: 95 CZK, departure:
Dvořákovo nábřeží (bank) under the Agnes Monastery
River cruise with
lunch, April to October daily, Nov to March Fri, Sat, Sun, each 12.30
p.m., duration 2 hours 30 minutes, ticket: adults 650 CZK, children from
3 to 11 years: 380 CZK, departure: Dvořákovo nábřeží ( shore) under the
Agnes monastery
Dinner cruise with music, daily at 6:30 p.m.,
duration 3 hrs 30 min, ticket: adults 790 CZK, children from 3 to 11
years: 500 CZK, meeting point Na Příkopě 23, end: Dvořákovo nábřeží
(bank) under the Agnes Monastery
football
Four teams from
Prague play in the first Czech league:
Sparta Praha, Generali Arena.
Slavia Praha, Eden Arena.
FK Dukla Praha, Na Julisce.
Bohemians
Praha 1905, Stadium Ďolíček.
Tickets are available at the club ticket
offices.
ice Hockey
The Czech Republic is one of the world
leaders in ice hockey, and ice hockey is a national sport alongside
football. The level of the domestic league is also high. HC Sparta
Prague is one of the top European clubs.
HC Sparta Prague,
Tipsport Arena, Za Elektrárnou 419, 170 00 Praha 7. Tel.: +420 266 727
454 (office), +420 266 727 443 (tickets), +420 266 727 472 (fan shop),
fax: +420 224 232 251, e-mail: office@hcsparta.cz. Open: Ticket sales
Mon-Fri 1-5:30 p.m., Sundays on match days 1-5:30 p.m. Price: tickets
115-165 CZK, surcharges for top games possible.
HC Slavia Prague.
Email: vstupenky@hc-slavia.cz. A visit to Slavia Prague is also
worthwhile because of the modern Sazka Arena (now named after the
sponsor: O2 Arena). Price: Tickets 70-190 CZK.
Tickets are available
directly from the clubs.
golf
10 Golf Club Prague, Letna Park.
Tel.: 233 384 033. Course: 18 holes par 70.
tennis
Tenisový
Klub Slavia Praha
Tenisový Klub Sparta Praha
Regular events
The Prague Food Festival takes place over a weekend at the end of May,
entry from 450 CZK (2018).
long-distance hiking
The Hus-Weg
begins at the Bethlehem Chapel in Prague and leads via Bärnau, Nuremberg
and Ulm to the Hus-Museum in Konstanz.
By plane
Prague Airport is located near Ruzyně, 15 km west of the
city center. From the countries of the Schengen Agreement, including
Germany, Austria and Switzerland, you arrive at Terminal 2 and leave
Prague again from this terminal. The airport has been renovated and
expanded in recent years and offers all the amenities of a modern
international airport. In addition to numerous European scheduled
airlines and low-cost airlines, there are also isolated long-haul
flights to the USA and Asia.
As of 2022, there are the following
flight connections to Prague from German-speaking countries:
Austrian
Airlines from Vienna
Eurowings from Cologne/Bonn and Düsseldorf
Lufthansa from Frankfurt am Main and Munich
SWISS from Zurich
From the airport to the city
The fastest and at the same time cheap
way to get from the airport to the city is the Airport Express (AE) bus,
which takes passengers directly to Prague Main Station for 100 CZK.
Normal public transport tickets are not valid for this bus.
In
addition, the airport is well connected to the public transport system
by bus lines. You can get into the city with the bus lines 100, 119 and
179 and then continue with the metro. In the arrivals hall of Terminal 2
there is an information stand of the Prague Transport Company, where
tickets can also be purchased. Tickets can also be purchased from
vending machines and kiosks. The fare for a ticket valid for 90 minutes
is 32 CZK, for larger luggage an additional 16 CZK is due (only for
single tickets - day and 3-day tickets are also valid for luggage). The
tickets must be stamped when you board the bus. The airport bus stop can
be reached via exit 4 of Terminal 2.
Bus line № 119 (journey time
approx. 15 minutes) goes to the Nádraží Veleslavín metro station, from
where metro line A goes to the city centre. Bus line № 100 goes to the
terminus of metro line B Zličín with a 20-minute journey. The bus lines
depart every 8 to 20 minutes during the day. Between 00:30 and 05:00,
the night line № 910 connects the airport with the city center every 30
minutes.
By train
The following train stations are relevant
for arriving by train from Germany and Austria:
Prague main train
station. Praha Hlavní nádraží (former Imperial Railway Station) in
Vrchlického Sady, is Prague's main train station and is a five-minute
walk from Wenceslas Square
This will include served by EuroCity
trains from the direction of Hamburg (via Berlin and Dresden) without
having to change trains, as well as by combined alex/EuroCity trains
from Munich (7 days a day). Online bookings via Czech Railways in the
form of first-minute tickets with a specific train are significantly
cheaper than those available from Deutsche Bahn or SBB.
The
direct long-distance trains from Vienna to Prague also end here. It is
also the starting point of many national trains throughout the Czech
Republic. The station is also served by metro line C and tram lines 5,
9, 15 and 26.
Train station Praha-Holešovice. nádraží, on Vrbenského
street, is a little further from the city center (30 minutes on foot)
and is mainly served by international and long-distance connections of
EC trains Budapest — Berlin/Hamburg and Vienna — Berlin. In addition to
a restaurant, there is a tourist office in the station. The station is
also served by metro line C (which also connects the station to the main
train station) and tram lines 6, 12 and 17 (within walking distance).
Train station Praha-Smíchov. nádraží, on Nádražní street, outside the
city center, in the western part of the city. It mainly serves the
region west and south of Prague, with a number of tourist attractions.
express trains from the Main Railway Station to Pilsen (Plzeň) and Cheb
also stop here. The station is also served by metro line B and tram
lines 4, 5, 12 and 20.
Train station Praha-Masarykovo. on Havlíčkova
street, near the main train station and central bus station Florenc. It
primarily serves the region north and west of Prague. Fast trains to
Ústí nad Labem (Aussig) and Cheb start from here. The station is also
served by metro line B and tram lines 3, 6, 14, 15, 24 and 26.
By
bus
Eurolines, among others, offers long-distance lines to and from
Prague, e.g. from Berlin (journey time 4½ hours, EUR 41.00), Dresden
(journey time 2 hours, EUR 24.00), Frankfurt (journey time 7¼ hours, EUR
57.00), Hamburg (journey time 12¼ hours, EUR 65.00), Hanover (journey
time 10¼ hours , EUR 63.00), Cologne (journey time 10 hours, EUR 64.00),
Leipzig (journey time 4¼ hours, EUR 34.00), Munich (journey time 5¼
hours, EUR 39.00), Nuremberg (journey time 4½ hours, EUR 41.00) or
Stuttgart (journey time 7¼ hours , 45.00 EUR). StudentAgency is another
provider with connections to Berlin, Bonn, Dresden, Düsseldorf,
Frankfurt am Main, Freiburg, Heidelberg, Karlsruhe, Cologne, Mannheim,
Munich, Nuremberg, Regensburg, Saarbrücken, Stuttgart and Würzburg.
Flixbus offers long-distance bus routes from Munich, Regensburg, Amberg,
Berlin, Vienna and Pilsen.
ÚAN Praha Florenc on Sokolov Street is
the Central Bus Station (Czech: ústřední autobusové nádraží (ÚAN)) of
Prague and is served by national and international lines. It is also
served by metro lines B and C and bus lines № 133, 135, 175, 194 and
207. Lines № 133, 135, 175 and 207 go in the direction of Vinohrady and
Žižkov. Lines № 194 and 207 go in the opposite direction, to Jana
Palacha Square near Charles Bridge and Staroměstská metro station, and
further to Malostranská metro station, respectively.
In the
street
Prague has motorway connections from five directions. The
Czech motorway network is constantly being expanded. So far, there are
three highways consistently connecting the country's borders with the
city. One is the Südwestautobahn D5 (E50), which crosses the A93 from
Nuremberg (A6) and runs via Pilsen. It takes 1.5 hours to travel 160 km
from the national border to Prague. The southeast highway D1 is the
oldest and busiest in the Czech Republic. It connects Prague via Brünn
(Brno) with Bratislava in Slovakia. It is interesting for arrivals from
Vienna, Budapest and Eastern Europe. It takes about two hours to cover
the 250 km.
From the northwest you can take the D8 (E55)
motorway, which has been open to traffic since December 2016. It is the
continuation of the German A17 from Dresden.
From the northeast,
the 4-lane expressway D10 (E65) leads to Prague. It begins in Liberec
and leads through Turnov. It connects Prague with the Jizera Mountains
(Jizerské hory) and the Giant Mountains (Krkonoše), the ski resorts of
the Czech Republic, and the German cities of Zittau and Görlitz. The
road is in excellent condition.
From the east there is also the
D11 (E67), which connects Poland and Hradec Králové (Königgrätz) with
Prague.
The Czech motorway network is being expanded (the D11 is
being completed, the D3 from Linz via Budweis (České Budějovice) is
scheduled to be ready in 2020). With the exception of the D1 in the
Prague metropolitan area and near Mirošovice, motorway congestion is
rare except during road works.
A motorway vignette is compulsory
for cars on motorways and most expressways (10 days CZK 310),
motorcyclists do not need to buy one. The vignette can be purchased
online before entering the country on the official website edalnice.cz.
This is also offered in German.
It is also possible to reach
Prague without using the motorway or expressway. It might be more
interesting than taking the E55 to reach the Czech capital. Out of town,
the faster one overtakes. The roads are not in good condition
everywhere, there can be a lot of potholes after the winter. In winter
there is no snow clearing on the side streets.
The traffic
density increases the closer you get to the center. On weekdays, Prague
suffers particularly from traffic congestion; there are many traffic
jams on main roads. In addition, Prague does not yet have a closed R1
motorway ring road. It is therefore advisable to leave your car at P+R
car parks for low fees and take public transport into the city. The P+R
car parks are located on motorways and are well signposted. There is a
ban on parking or a fee for parking in the entire city center of Prague.
The first P+R car park from Liberec (Reichenberg) (Zittau and
Görlitz) is P+R Letnany. 1 day parking costs 20 CZK, 1 night 100 CZK. If
you drive past the entrance and then turn right at the traffic lights,
you will find free parking spaces on the left side of the street.
The German Castle Road from Mannheim via Nuremberg ends in Prague.
By bicycle
In the Czech Republic, all long-distance and regional
cycle routes are marked with numbers on yellow signs.
Cycle path 2
leads north on the eastern side of the Vltava to Mělník and from there
along the Elbe to the German border. The Vltava Cycle Path is not
signposted as such at any point. · See also Elbe Cycle Path
Cycle
route 1 "Pražská Trasa" leads to the east via Kouřim to Brno.
Cycle
route 11 leads south to Tábor and further along cycle route 12 to
Budweis (České Budějovice) and Krumau (Český Krumlov) and on to Linz in
Austria.
Cycle route 3 leads to the west via Pilsen (Plzeň) to the
Main.
By boat
Prague can be reached by river cruise ships.
Prague has a very well developed public transport system. It consists
of a widely branched bus and tram system as well as the metro, which
consists of three subway lines. Route network maps are available in
German at the sales points of the Prague Transport Authority (DPP), in
which further information (e.g. how to operate the machines) is
explained.
Tickets (jízdenky) must be purchased in advance and
stamped when boarding the bus, tram or at the entrance to the metro
station (usually on the mezzanine floor). They are available from the
yellow ticket machines (service also in English) in the train stations,
in Tabák/Trafika (tobacco goods/newspapers) shops, in tourist offices
and in shops with the red and yellow “DP” (Dopravní podnik Prahy)
sticker. Ticket machines usually only take coins and only offer single
and day tickets. In the area around the main train station, however,
there are a few machines that also sell 3-day tickets and accept credit
cards or banknotes. In the meantime, however, there are also new
machines with contactless credit card acceptance at many stations (of
course, German girocard cards do not work). Electronic tickets sent by
SMS to the DPP are popular among locals, with the fare (32 or 24 CZK)
being debited by the provider and added to the monthly statement. The
corresponding service number of the DPP is 90206. However, this requires
a Czech SIM card.
Fares: Single ticket: CZK 40 (approx. €1.60) for 90
minutes or CZK 30 for 30 minutes, children up to 14 years travel free,
luggage larger than 25×45×70 cm CZK 20, prams with child : free,
bicycles are only permitted in the subway, ferry and cable car and are
also transported free of charge. 24-hour ticket: CZK 120, 72-hour
ticket: CZK 330, monthly ticket: CZK 550.
Anyone over the age of
65 travels free who can prove their age with a passport or ID card.
Between 60 and 64 you can buy single tickets and day tickets at half
price (proof of age at checkpoints is by ID or passport) - monthly and
annual tickets can only be used in this age group with a PID card that
you have previously obtained from the Prague transport company worried.
This costs 20 CZK. A monthly ticket for 60 to 64 year olds costs 130
CZK. A passport photo is required for the PID card.
If you are
caught without a ticket, you pay CZK 1,000 if you pay immediately, and
if you do not have a ticket for a piece of luggage that requires a
ticket, you pay CZK 200.
Tram
The tram network is widely
branched. For night service (from approx. 00:10 to 04:50), there are
lines 91 to 99, which run every half hour when the subway is closed and
are supported by night bus lines with the numbers 901 to 915.
An
alternative city tour by tram can be done with line 22. This passes many
touristically relevant destinations (including Letná Park, Prague
Castle, Old Town, Charles Square). The Tatra wagons from the 1960s still
drive here frequently.
Nostalgic tram No. 41 runs from April to
mid-November on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays from 12 to 5 p.m.
from Střešovice Depot via Hradcany, Lesser Town, National Theater,
Wenceslas Square, Masaryk Railway Station, Strossmayer Square to
Výstaviště, back from 13 to 17 o'clock. Travel time approx. 40 minutes.
A one-way ticket costs 35 CZK, for children up to 15 years old it is 20
CZK.
Metro
Metro station line A runs from Nemocnice Motol in
the west to Depo Hostivař in the east. Stations in the city center are
Malostranská, Staroměstská (in the Josefstadt), Můstek (on Wenceslas
Square), Muzeum and Náměstí Míru.
Metro station line B runs from
Zličín in the southwest to Černý Most in the east. Stations in the city
center are Karlovo námésti, Můstek (at Wenceslas Square), Náměstí
Republiky and Florenc.
Metro station line C runs from Letňany in the
north to Háje in the south. Stations in the city center are Florenc,
Hlavní nádraží (main train station), Muzeum and I. P. Pavlova.
design of the stations
Line A stops are clad with aluminum panels in
different colors. The inner-city stations have concave and convex
panels, each with distinctive colors, so one can identify the station
without reading the name. The stations outside the city center have
simpler metal signs, but each also has a typical color scheme.
Funicular
An interesting means of transport that can be used as a
trip destination is the funicular, which leads from the Újezd tram stop
to Petřín Hill. Since August 2021, it can only be used with Prague
public transport tickets valid for at least 24 hours or a special cable
car ticket for CZK 60. There are frequent checks at the lower and upper
terminus - so you should bring a validated, i. H. have a stamped ticket.
Anyone aged between 60 and 64 can use a discounted 24-hour ticket (also
CZK 60). Seniors over the age of 65 travel for free, as everywhere in
the city (you must be able to prove your age with a passport or ID
card). Children up to the age of 14 also travel for free (proof of age
required from the age of 10). Ticket machines, which only accept coins,
are available.
taxis
ČD Taxi (Czech Railways taxi; yellow cab
taxi rank on the north side of the passages in the main train station.).
Tel.: +420 14041 (speed dial), Mobile: +420 777 257 257 (SMS order).
Only for journeys to and from a train station, on telephone or SMS order
and presentation of a valid train ticket when boarding. When ordering
via SMS, there is no specific input format for the SMS message, but the
phrase "CD Taxi" must appear at the beginning of the SMS. Price: Very
inexpensive (prices have not changed since May 2012).
Public
transport is always the better option in Prague if you don't order a ČD
taxi to or from the train station.
The maximum price for a taxi
on the street allowed by the Municipality of Prague is 28 CZK per
kilometer. If a driver still insists on a fixed price, you should take
another taxi or go straight to the cheaper public transport. It is
always advisable to ask for a printed receipt with the route, the price
and the name of the driver. If you don't speak Czech, there's a good
chance you'll be scammed by a driver, so it's a good idea to check the
taximeter while driving. This continues to be a standard warning in
every Prague travel guide. If the situation allows, overpriced trips
should not be paid for. It is advisable to contact the city police (call
number 156). The city police have set up a special unit for the
notorious taxi scam and are roughly equivalent to the public order
office. Under no circumstances should you accept the services of taxi
drivers standing on the edge of popular streets (in the area of the
entrances to the Charles Bridge). These scammers are organized and also
cover up no-parking traffic signs to avoid fines. There are also
numerous black sheep among well-known taxi companies.
AAA Taxi
Prague. Tel.: +420 222 333 222. From CZK 20/km.
City Taxi. Tel.: +420
257 257 257. From 24 CZK/km.
Modrý anděl. Tel.: +420 737 222 333.
From 21 CZK/km.
Nejlevnější taxi. Tel.: +420 226 000 226. From CZK
20/km.
PAT Taxi. Tel.: +420 800 870 888. From CZK 28/km.
Professional taxi. Tel.: +420 261 314 151. From CZK 26/km.
Taxi
Prague 14007. Tel.: +420 220 414 414. From CZK 24/km.
euro taxi.
Tel.: +420 777 092 045. From 17 CZK/km.
TICK TOCK. Tel.: +420 721 300
300. From 25 CZK/km
By car
Driving in Prague is no fun for
people who do not know the area (tram tracks, pedestrian zones, few
parking spaces), so it is better to use public transport.
There
are park and ride areas on the outskirts of town
Praha 4, Hrnčirská
(Metro C station Opatov)
Praha 5, Radnicka (Metro B station Radnicka)
Praha 5, Zlicin (Metro B station Zlicin)
Praha 7, Holešovice (Metro C
station Nadraží Holešovice)
Praha 9, Chlumecká (Metro B station
Rajska zahrada or Černý Most)
Praha 10, V Rybníčkách (Metro A station
Skalka).
There are three parking zones: orange (parking time up
to 2 hours), green (parking time up to 6 hours) and blue (only for
residents). Wrongly parked cars get a parking clamp or are towed away
(Tel. 158). The location of a towed vehicle can also be found on a City
Police website.
By bicycle
Prague is only partially suitable
for cycling in the immediate inner city areas (few cycle paths,
cobblestones, tram tracks, heavy traffic, high pedestrian traffic). In
contrast, the central districts (Neustadt, Smíchov, Karlín, Holešovice,
Dejvice, Braník, Nusle, Libeň, etc.) now have a good infrastructure for
two-wheel traffic. Excellently developed cycle paths lead in both
directions along the Vltava River and are connected to the European
long-distance cycle path network (to Vienna, Dresden and Nuremberg).
Where there are no specially designated cycle paths, the police will
tolerate cycling on the pavement if you are considerate of pedestrians.
Helmets are compulsory for young people under the age of 18 in the Czech
Republic.
City Bike, Králodvorska 5. Tel.: (07) 76 18 02 84.
rents out bicycles.
Bikerentals.cz, Janáčkovo nábř. 3. Tel: (00420)
774 045 696 84. Bike rental and guided tours
For visitors who
speak Czech, we recommend the cyclist map from the non-profit
association Auto*Mat, which is also available in printed form as a
Zelená mapa / Green Map.
In general, wherever tourists stay, you can pay in euros, and change
is usually given back in kroner. If you want to exchange euros for
kroner, you should ask beforehand how many kronor you get for a certain
amount of euros. The price information in front of the exchange offices
can be misleading.
Like any other big city, Prague offers a
wealth of shopping opportunities. All well-known brands are represented
in the city, so there is something for every taste.
The shopping
mile below the National Museum is overcrowded with tourists. Here you
will find mainly clothing stores that, in terms of price, fulfill all
the wishes of the average consumer.
Those who prefer something
more expensive will find what they are looking for on Pařížská Street.
Designer shops and boutiques are located here.
In addition, there
are around 20 shopping malls in Prague. They are mostly located near
metro stations, making them easy to get to. Here is a list of some
shopping mall addresses.
antiquarian books
Antique gallery
Můstek, 28. října 13.
Antique variant Karel Křenek,
glass,
crystal, porcelain
Celetná Crystal, Celetná 15 (Metro Mustek). Tel.:
223 240 022. With a large selection of Bohemian crystal. Open: daily
10:00 - 20:00.
Dům porcelánu Praha, Jugoslávská 16 (Metro Náměstí
Míru or I. P. Pavlova). Tel.: 221 505 320. Porcelain in the traditional
onion pattern (cibulák). Open: Mon–Fri 9:00–19:00, Sat 9:00–14:00, Sun
14:00–17:00.
Karlovarský porcelán Thun, Pařížská 2 (Metro
Staroměstská). Tel.: 224 828 22. Karlovy Vary porcelain. Open: daily
9:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Moser, Na Příkopě 12 (Můstek metro station)).
Tel: 224 211 293. Open: Mon-Fri 9am-8pm, Sat-Sun 10am-6pm.
Moser,
Malé náměstí 11 (Můstek metro station)). Tel: 221 611 520. Open: Mon-Fri
10am-7pm, Sat-Sun 10am-6pm.
Hearty Bohemian cuisine with z. B. Goulash with dumplings. Good food
at fair prices, especially on the side streets or in the vicinity of
Prague. In the tourist centers of the city (e.g. Old Town Square) you
also have to pay corresponding prices. Nevertheless, meals in upscale
restaurants are affordable, even in exposed places (e.g. the U Prince
restaurant) compared to Germany. As in almost all tourist cities, the
further you get from the city center, the cheaper the restaurants are.
Snack restaurants are frequented mostly by locals, you need a minimum
knowledge of the Czech language, you get typical food at unbeatable
prices. Examples: goulash soup equivalent to 2 €; breaded cheese or
sauerbraten €4.00.
For individual offers see also the district
articles such as old town and new town
Prague's nightlife is eclectic and legendary, making Prague a popular
destination for bachelorette parties from all over Europe. There is a
large number of bars, pubs and nightclubs, especially in the old town
between Wenceslas Square and Charles Bridge. The price level is lower
than in many western European cities.
If you don't have an
unlimited budget and are looking for a place from the more alternative
milieu with a range of concerts, you will mainly find locals and hardly
any tourists in the "Palác Akropolis". The restaurant is located on
Kubelíkova street near the TV tower. Line A Jiřího z Poděbrad metro
station is nearby.
Dvořákova síň (Dvorak Hall), Namesti Jana Palacha 1, Old Town (metro:
Staroměstská). Tel.: 227 059 227. Seat of the Česká filharmonie (Czech
Philharmonic) in the Rudolfinum. Open: Box office: Mon–Fri 10:00–12:30
and 13:30–18:30. Price: 200-600 CZK (8-25€).
Stavovské divadlo (The
Estates Theatre), Ovocný trh 1, Old Town (metro: Můstek). Tel.: 224 902
322. Prague's oldest theatre. It was here that Mozart's opera Don
Giovanni was first performed in 1787, conducted by the composer. Open:
Box office: 10:00 - 18:00. Price: 30 to 1,200 Kč (1-51€.
Národní
divadlo (National Theatre), Národní třída 2, New Town (metro: Národní
třída). Tel.: 224 901 377. Open: Box office 10:00-18:00. Price: CZK
30-1,000 (€1-42).
Státní opera Praha (Prague State Opera), Wilsonova
4, Neustadt (Metro: Muzeum). Tel: 224 227 266. The opera is currently
undergoing restoration and is scheduled to reopen in 2020[obsolete].
Until then, opera performances will take place in the Národní divadlo.
Open: Box office: Mon–Fri 10:00–17:30, Sat 10:00–12:00 and 13:00–17:30.
Price: 100 to 1500 Kč (4-63€).
Smetana síň (Smetana Hall), namesti
Republiky 5, Old Town (metro: Náměstí Republiky). Tel.: 220 002 101. The
largest concert hall in Prague, seat of the Syfonicky orchestr (Symphony
Orchestra). Open: Box office: 10:00 - 18:00. Price: 250-600 CZK (11-25€.
Divadlo Image (Image Theater), Pařížská 4, Old Town (metro:
Staroměstská). Tel.: 222 314 447. Open: Box office: 9:00 - 20:00. Price:
480 CZK (20€.
ACT (All Colors Theater), Rytířská 31, Old Town. Open:
Box office: 15:00-19:00. Price: 600 CZK (25€.
Divadlo Spejbla a
Hurvínka (Spejbl and Hurvinek Theater), Dejvická 38, Dejvice (metro:
Dejvická). Tel.: 224 316 784. Open: Box office: Tue–Fri 10:00–14:00 and
15:00–18:00, Sat, Sun 13:00–17:00. Price: CZK 80-120 (€3-5).
Laterna
Magika, Nova Scéna, Národní trída, Neustadt (metro: Narodni trída).
Tel.: 224 931 482. Open: Box office: 10:00 - 18:00. Price: 250-650 CZK
(11-27€).
Národní divadlo Marionet (National Marionette Theatre),
Zatecká 1, Old Town (metro: Staroměstská). Tel: 224 819 323. The theater
was established in 1991 and the most popular play is Mozart's opera Don
Giovanni. Open: Box office: 10:00 - 20:00. Price: 600 CZK (25€).
Švandovo divadlo na Smíchově (Svandovo Theater in Smíchov), Stefanikova
57 (tram lines 6, 9, 12 or 20). Tel.: 257 318 666. experimental theater.
Open: Box office: Mon–Fri 11:00–14:00 and 15:00–19:00, Sat, Sun
17:00–19:00. Price: 150-300 CZK (6-13€).
Ta Fantastika, Karlova 8,
Old Town (metro: Staroměstská). Tel: 222 221 366. Black Theater. The
theater was founded in New York in 1981 and moved to Prague in 1989. The
most popular play is Aspects of Alice, based on Alice in Wonderland.
Open: Cash desk: Mon–Fri 11:00 a.m.–9:00 p.m. Price: 650 CZK (27€).
Divadlo Na zábradlí (Theatre by the Railing), Anenské náměstí 5, Old
Town (tram 17 and 18). Tel.: 222 868 868. The first plays by Vaclav
Havel were performed here. Today Czech plays are performed here,
occasionally there are English plays with Czech subtitles. Open: Box
office: Mon–Fri 2:00 p.m.–8:00 p.m., Sat–Sun 2 hours before the start of
the performance. Price: 100-300 CZK (4-13€).
Karlovy Lazne. According to the operator, the largest disco in Europe
with 4-5 dance floors with different styles of music. Very popular with
tourists and the under 30s.
Retro Music Hall, Francouzská 4. Stylish
disco playing mainstream dance and electronic music. The crowd is mostly
locals aged 18 to mid-30s.
Lucerna Music Bar, Vodičkova 36. Concert
hall, 80's and 90's music with video clips on weekends.
Palác
Akropolis, Kubelíkova 27. Concert hall with different styles of music in
the bar area.
Chapeau Rouge, Jakubská 2. Music club and bar on three
floors.
Radost FX, Bělehradská 120. Disco offering mostly hip-hop and
electronic music on weekends.
Reduta. One of the oldest and best-known jazz clubs in the city. Due
to the high price level, mainly tourists can be found here.
jazz boat
Combination of concert, restaurant and jazz stage. The audience comes
for mixed reasons, not just for the jazz.
Jazz Republic. Admission is
free, so you can meet a larger audience than in other locations. The
drink prices are quite high, but are justified by the free entry. Price:
Free entry.
U Maleho Glena. Small club with cheap prices.
Prague has a wealth of accommodation options, many within walking
distance of the Old Town. The high season usually lasts from April to
October, and an increased occupancy rate can also be expected at the
turn of the year. Overnight rates at these times can be twice the usual
rate and advance reservations are recommended. At the main train
station, Hlavní nádraží, there is a service for booking accommodation.
Normally taxes and breakfast are included in the prices.
Even in
high season, dormitories in hostels near the Old Town are available for
CZK 350 per person per night. Prague does its share of noisy youth
hostels, but there are many with a relaxed vibe and some are housed in
beautifully restored, more hotel-like buildings. Many hostels also offer
individual bedrooms, with or without shared bathrooms - much cheaper
than a guesthouse or hotel. Around the main station there are many black
marketeers who have cheap offers. Many of them are city dwellers who
rent part of their apartment. The prices don't vary greatly, but some
may not be trustworthy, so caution is advised here.
Pensions and
cheap hotels are easy to find in the Prague 1 district, especially in
the Old Town, the New Town and the Jewish Quarter. For those looking for
something out of the ordinary, a botel (hotel boat) might be of
interest. Most are moored to the south on the Vltava River in the Praha
4 and 5 districts.
Another option is renting an apartment. Due to
its size, it is particularly suitable for families. Prices range from
CZK 1700 to CZK 3200 for four people, and while it may not be cheaper
than the hostel, it's better for its greater coziness alone. Before
making a reservation, you should definitely take a comparative look at
the map, as some apartments are not in the city center.
The city
also has numerous campsites; there's one south of town with river island
camping. Another is to the north and is called Troy. It can be reached
from the city center by tram line 17. The pitches here are generally
small and can get quite crowded in high season.
Charles University. Largest university in the Czech Republic.
Czech Technical University
Aside from pickpocketing, the biggest problem for visitors is likely
to be how the exchange offices operate. If you want to be on the safe
side, pull your crowns from the machine. If you still go to the exchange
office, please note: Read carefully what is written in the exchange
office - exchange offices collect up to 27% commission. If an exchange
office advertises "0% commission", check the rates carefully - the
cheap-looking rate is sometimes the rate for selling euros. In February
2015, the checkpoint exchange offices at popular tourist locations, e.g.
on the Old Town Square, which have since been closed due to fraud, paid
15 crowns for one euro (real exchange rate 26 crowns). In general, it is
not advisable to use the exchange offices at the main train station and
Wenceslas Square or all exchange offices with the Western Union logo.
For your peace of mind: there are also reputable exchange offices, and
you can also exchange money in banks.
On April 1, 2019, a law
came into force giving customers of currency exchange offices the right
to withdraw within 3 hours of the transaction, which will probably
largely solve the problem.
Most banks' ATMs charge an additional
fee ("commission"), which is currently (2019) between 99 and 300 CZK per
withdrawal, depending on the company, regardless of the amount
withdrawn. So it's not worth withdrawing small amounts from ATMs. In any
case, you should never choose to calculate the amount of the withdrawn
crowns in euros at the machine! The rate that your own bank in one of
the D-A-CH countries calculates when the account is debited is much
cheaper
Medical on-call service, Palackého 5. Tel.: 224 949 181. Open:
Mon-Fri 19:00-07:00, Sat-Sun 24 hours.
Pharmacy on-call service.
Phone: 224 946 982.
Prague is a de jure monolingual, but de facto at least trilingual
city. Of course, as everywhere in the world, it is appreciated if you
speak the local language. But it is not a problem in Prague in the
tourist areas to get by with just English or even German. As a German,
it can even happen that the locals you just addressed in English reply
in German with a wink. In addition, many of the older people in
particular speak Russian.
Embassies
Federal Republic of
Germany
Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany (FRG) (Czech:
Velvyslanectví Spolkové republiky Německo), Vlašská 347/19, Prague 1 -
Malá Strana, 118 01 (German: Welsche Spitalgasse 347-19) (stop Šporkova
stop Šporkova, stop Malostranské náměstí ( South) tram stop Malostranské
náměstí). Tel.: +420 257 113 111, fax: +420 257 113 318 (embassy), 257
113 219 (consulate), e-mail: info@prag.diplo.de. The embassy and
consulate are located in the Lobkowitz Palace. Open: Embassy office
hours: Mon-Thu 08:00-17:00, Fri 08:00-15:00. Office hours consular
section: Mon-Fri 08:30-12:00. Closed on German and Czech public
holidays.
Republic of Italy
Also responsible for citizens from
South Tyrol.
Embassy of the Republic of Italy (Czech:
Velvyslanectví Italské republiky), Nerudova 214/20, Prague 1 - Malá
Strana, 118 00 (stop Malostranské náměstí (Southbound) tram stop
Malostranské náměstí). Tel.: +420 233 080 111, fax: +420 257 531 522,
e-mail: ambasciata.praga@esteri.it (embassy), consolare.praga@esteri.it
(consulate). Open: Embassy and consular office hours: Mon 09:00-12:00,
Tue closed, Wed-Fri 09:00-12:00. Closed on Italian and Czech public
holidays.
Republic of Austria
Embassy of the Republic of
Austria (Czech: Velvyslanectví Rakouské republiky), Viktora Huga 10,
Prague 5 - Smíchov, 151 15 (stop Arbesovo náměstí (southbound) tram stop
Arbesovo náměstí). Phone: +420 257 090 511, +420 257 090 542, fax: +420
257 316 045, e-mail: prag-ob@bmeia.gv.at. Open: Embassy and consular
office hours: Mon-Fri 09:00-12:00. Closed on Austrian and Czech public
holidays.
Swiss Confederation
Embassy of the Swiss
Confederation (Czech: Velvyslanectví Švýcarské konfederace), Pevnostní
588/7, Prague 6 - Střešovice, 162 01 (entrance via Delostrelecka ul.,
stop Vozovna Střešovice (southbound) tram stop Vozovna Střešovice).
Tel.: +420 220 400 611, fax: +420 224 311 312, e-mail:
pra.vertretung@eda.admin.ch. The Embassy no longer provides consular
services in Prague for the sake of rationalization. Since the 3rd of X
2011, these have been dealt with in the Vienna consulate. Open: Embassy
office hours: Mon-Fri 09:00-12:00, visitors by appointment only. Closed
on Swiss and Czech public holidays.
An overview of all other
diplomatic representations in Prague and in the Czech Republic can be
found on the website of the MVZ (Czech Ministry of Foreign Affairs).
Tourist Office
Pražská informační služba (PIS) (Prague
Information Service), Staroměstské náměstí 4/1, Praha 1 — Staré Město,
110 00 (Metro station A Staroměstská or Metro station AB Můstek). Tel.:
+420 221 714 714, +420 221 714 444, fax: +420 222 221 101, e-mail:
tourinfo@prague.eu, tourinfo@pis.cz. Open: Mon-Fri 09:00-19:00. Accepted
payment methods: American Express, Diners, JCB, MasterCard, Visa.
Pražská informační služba (PIS) (Prague Information Service), Rytířská
539/31, Praha 1 — Staré Město, 110 00 (metro station AB Můstek). Tel.:
+420 221 714 714, +420 221 714 140, fax: +420 221 714 141, e-mail:
tourinfo@prague.eu, tourinfo@pis.cz. Open: Mon-Sun 10:00-18:00. Accepted
payment methods: American Express, Diners, JCB, MasterCard, Visa.
Pražská informační služba(PIS) — letiště (Prague Information Service —
Airport, Arrivals Hall), Terminal 2, Praha 6 — Ruzyně (stop Praha
Letište/Airport, Terminal 2). Tel.: +420 221 714 714, e-mail:
tourinfo@prague.eu, tourinfo@pis.cz. Open: Daily 08:00-20:00. Accepted
payment methods: American Express, Diners, JCB, MasterCard, Visa.
The settlement of the area dates back to the Palaeolithic. Throughout
prehistory and early history, the Prague Basin was one of the most
densely populated and almost continuously populated areas of Bohemia.
Until about 50 BC The Celtic Boii settled here, then the Germanic
Marcomanni for over 500 years. The first Slavic groups advanced into the
area from around the second half of the 6th century.
In the 9th
century Prague Castle was built with the suburbium below in the area of
today's Lesser Town and in the 10th century a second castle on Vyšehrad
was built as the seat of the Přemyslids. Under the protection of the two
castles, settlements of local craftsmen and German and Jewish merchants
developed on both sides of the Vltava. Around 1230/1234 Wenceslaus I had
the largest of these settlements fortified at the Vltava bend and
granted it city rights. Prague thus became the royal residence of the
Bohemian rulers. His son Přemysl Ottokar II expelled the Czech
population living on the other bank of the Vltava below the castle and
in 1257 founded Prague's first new town, the Lesser Town (Malá Strana).
Before 1320, the burgraves laid out the dependent Hradschin town (also
Burgstadt, Hradčany) as the third Prague town immediately to the west of
the castle.
Under Emperor Charles IV and his son Wenceslaus IV,
Prague flourished economically, culturally, politically and in many
other areas as the imperial seat of the Holy Roman Empire in the second
half of the 14th century. Charles University was founded here in 1348 as
the first university in Central Europe. The construction of Prague's new
town in the same year made the agglomeration, with well over 40,000
inhabitants, the fourth-largest city north of the Alps and the
third-largest city in Europe in terms of area. From 1419, however, it
was badly shaken and partially destroyed in the Hussite wars.
At
the end of the 16th century, Emperor Rudolf II made Prague the seat of
residence again. Magnificent baroque palaces and churches bear witness
to this period. The Second Defenestration of Prague triggered the Thirty
Years' War. The Seven Years' War left its mark on the city. In 1784 the
four previously independent towns of Hradschin (Hradčany), Lesser Town
(Malá Strana), Old Town (Staré Město) and New Town (Nové město) merged
to form the common city of Prague.
During the 19th century,
Prague experienced a significant cultural upswing. Among other things,
the National Museum and the National Theater were built. Around 1860
Prague lost its German majority, which had existed since the Middle
Ages. The city was characterized by a lively cultural exchange between
the nationalities, but there were also increasing conflicts between the
ethnic groups, which were often of a social nature. Around 1900,
cosmopolitan Prague was a center for Czech and German artists and
writers.
After the First World War, the Czech national movement
around Tomáš Garrigue Masaryk achieved its goal and democratic
Czechoslovakia, the national state of the Czechs and Slovaks, was
founded, with Prague as its capital. The city was enlarged in 1920 with
the incorporation of numerous suburbs and it experienced an economic and
cultural boom. In 1937 the civil airport Praha Ruzyně was opened.
The fate of democratic Czechoslovakia was finally sealed with the
Munich Agreement in 1938 and the invasion of the Wehrmacht on Hitler's
orders the following year. Prague became the capital of the newly
established Protectorate of Bohemia and Moravia. During the occupation,
the National Socialists had over 40,000 Jews deported from Prague and
murdered. On May 27, 1942, resistance fighters carried out a deadly
assassination attempt on Reinhard Heydrich, the deputy Reich Protector.
On May 5, 1945, the citizens of Prague revolted and fought at the
barricades. Most of the Wehrmacht withdrew before the Red Army reached
Prague on May 9th. Immediately after the end of the war in May 1945, the
Germans left the city or were forcibly expelled, ending the
centuries-long multilingual character of Prague.
In February
1948, Prague came under the communist regime of Klement Gottwald. During
the Prague Spring of 1968, a peaceful attempt was made to replace the
prevailing authoritarian socialism with liberal reforms into “socialism
with a human face”. This was crushed at gunpoint by Warsaw Pact troops
on August 21.
In September 1989, refugees from the GDR who had
sought refuge in the West German embassy were allowed to emigrate to the
West. In November 1989, Prague was the scene of the so-called Velvet
Revolution, which spelled the end of the socialist regime in
Czechoslovakia.
Prague is centrally located in the west of the Czech Republic on the
Vltava River, around 40 kilometers from where it flows into the Elbe in
Mělník. The distance to the outermost border points is around 110
kilometers to the north, around 170 kilometers to the west and south,
and around 320 kilometers to the east (to the old Bohemian eastern
border around 170 kilometers; each as the crow flies).
A large
part of the city lies in a wide valley of the Vltava, which flows
through the city area for 30 kilometers and forms a large loop in the
northern part. On the southern arc of this loop lies the historic city
center, dominated by the two castle hills of Hradčany (Hradschin) to the
north and Vyšehrad to the south. The rest is distributed among other
hills surrounding the valley: Letná, Vítkov, Větrov, Skalka, Emauzy,
Karlov and the highest of them, Petřín. Due to the incorporations,
primarily in the 20th century, the urban area now extends far into the
Prague plateau (Pražská plošina). Some natural beauties such as the
Šárka Valley and the Modřany Gorge also belong to the town.
The
Vltava enters the city area in the south at a height of around 190
meters and leaves it in the north at around 176 meters. It has an
average depth of 2.75 meters with a maximum depth of 10.5 meters. It
flows around several islands, including the Slovanský ostrov, Dětský
ostrov and Střelecký ostrov south of Charles Bridge, as well as the
Kampa, which supports the western part of Charles Bridge, and receives
numerous watercourses, the largest of which is the Berounka north of
Zbraslav (from the west), the Botič between the New Town and Vyšehrad
(from the east) and the Rokytka in the port of Libeň (also from the
east).
The highest heights are in the west and south of the city.
In the west, the Bílá hora (White Mountain) reaches 381 meters, at the
city limits southwest of it 397 meters are measured. In the south, the
Čihadlo rises to 385 meters.
Politically, Prague is completely
surrounded by the region of Central Bohemia (Středočeský kraj).
Prague's mild climate is influenced by both the Atlantic and
continental sides. The average annual temperature is around 8 °C, minus
values in winter reached up to −17 °C most recently (2006), plus values
in summer up to 35 °C. Most precipitation falls in the summer months
(May: 77 mm), the winter months are relatively dry (October to March: 23
to 32 mm). (all data related to the meteorological station at Ruzyně
Airport)
Compared to the long-term average from 1961 to 1990
(international reference period), an increase in temperature values of
around 1 degree and a decrease in precipitation of around 20 millimeters
can be observed in recent years (see also the adjacent climate graphics
for the periods 1961-1990, 1991-2005 and 1961-2005).
The data for
the meteorological station in Karlov (Prager Neustadt) shows both higher
temperatures and lower precipitation, along with the warmer and drier
tendencies of recent years; However, it must be taken into account that
the location in the city center has a strong influence on the weather
data.
There are two suggestions for the origin of the name of Praha
(Prague, Praga). On the one hand, a connection with práh "beam,
threshold" is suspected, with reference to wooden beams that would have
straightened the Vltava River. Another theory, considered more likely by
Max Vasmer, is that there is a connection with the word pražit "to burn"
(supposed name motif of slash-and-burn).
In the founding legend
attested by the chronicler Cosmas, the name is etymologized with
reference to the word for "threshold". The town founder Libuše is said
to have sent her entourage into a forest to knock a doorstep out of a
tree. This is where Prague is said to have been founded by Libuše.
The nickname "Golden City" refers to the sandstone towers that
shimmer in golden tones when the sun shines. Another explanation for
this name is that Emperor Charles IV had the towers of Prague Castle
gilded. In addition, the city was a magnet for alchemists at the time of
Rudolf II.
The name "city of a hundred towers" has been known for
several centuries and comes from the numerous towers that characterize
the historic townscape.
In the second half of the 10th century,
the merchant Ibrahim ibn Yaqub described Prague as “the city built of
stone and lime” or “Stone Prague”. Other nicknames for Prague include
Praga totius Bohemiae domina (Prague, the lady of all Bohemia) and Praga
mater urbium (Prague, the mother of all cities). In the Middle Ages,
Prague was known as Praga caput regni (Prague, the head of the kingdom),
today the heraldic motto has been changed to Praga caput rei publicae
(Head of the Republic).
The organs of the capital city of Prague are: City Council
(Zastupitelstvo hlavního města Prahy), City Council (Rada) and Lord
Mayor (Primátor). The 65-strong city council is elected in general
municipal elections by proportional representation. They then elect the
eleven-member city council and the mayor, the Primátor, from their own
ranks.
Since the administrative reform of 2000, the city of
Prague has been an independent, higher self-governing territorial unit
and is thus equal to the other 13 regions (Kraj) of the Czech Republic.
The Primátor of Prague immediately fulfills the duties of a region's
captain.
Every ordinance and the city's budget must be passed by
the city council. The city administration office is the magistrate. Its
areas of responsibility are the self-government of the city at the
overall level and the execution of the delegated state power as soon as
this does not belong to the smaller self-governing units.
Since
July 1, 2001, the city has been divided into 57 districts (městská část)
and 22 administrative districts (správní obvod). The administration of
each district is called district authority (e.g. Úřad městské části
Praha 1). Within the framework of self-government, the districts have
similar structures to the city as a whole: district council, council and
mayor.
The districts are combined with others into 22
administrative districts (some districts form the administrative
district alone). There is always a district authority in these
administrative districts, which takes on administrative tasks for all
districts in the administrative district. It is called the Commissioned
Authority (pověřený úřad).
The shield of the Prague Coat of Arms (Small City Coat of Arms):
Blazon: "In red a growing black-jointed, silver-tinned, golden city wall
with three growing black-jointed golden towers with silver-crossed black
windows, the outside with shingle-covered golden tent roofs, the middle
one higher with the same hipped roof, in the middle an open black
silver-framed gate with gate wings placed outwards in natural colors and
a half-drawn golden portcullis, under it an armored silver arm with a
sword of the same type.”
Large city coat of arms: "On the shield
three gold-crowned silver spear helmets (toad head helmets) with red and
gold covers. A gold-crowned, gold-armoured and gold-tongued silver lion
grows on the middle helmet, the two outer ones are each decorated with
twelve national flags with golden pole tips. Shield Holder: Two
gold-crowned, gold-armored and -tongued silver lions. Under the pedestal
a red ribbon with the motto in black majuscules: PRAGA CAPUT REI
PUBLICAE.”
Explanation of coat of arms: towers and walls stand
for Prague Castle, the silver arm for the readiness to defend, the
silver lion (helmet decoration and both shield holders) is the Bohemian
lion. The Latin motto means: "Prague, capital (city) of the republic".
The Prague flag has yellow and red vertical stripes, the
height-to-length ratio is two to three.