Information
City: PragueCountry: Czech Republic
Continent: Europe
Prague, Czech Republic, Europe
Overview
Prague, the capital of the Czech Republic, brims with history and culture, its cobbled streets and spired skyline steeped in old-world charm.Here’s a closer look at Prague beyond its famous sights: it sits in the middle of the Czech Republic, with the Vltava River curling right through its center.Covering roughly 496 square kilometers-about 192 square miles-the city climbs over rolling hills that open up to sweeping views of rooftops and winding streets.The Vltava River cuts through the heart of the city, splitting it into the Old Town (Staré Město) and the Lesser Town (Malá Strana), linked by graceful old bridges like the stone-arched Charles Bridge.Prague’s story stretches back more than 1,100 years, and through that long span, it’s shaped the course of Central Europe-its cobblestone streets have felt the footsteps of kings and rebels alike.Founded in the 9th century, the city rose to become the capital of the Kingdom of Bohemia by the 14th, its streets echoing with the clang of merchants’ carts.It was home to Holy Roman Emperor Charles IV, whose rule ushered in a golden age for Prague, when spires rose and the city’s streets bustled with merchants.Prague has lived through centuries of shifting borders, from the Austro-Hungarian Empire to Czechoslovakia, and stood at the heart of both world wars and the political upheavals of the 20th century, culminating in the candlelit crowds of the 1989 Velvet Revolution.Prague, often called the “City of a Hundred Spires,” earns its name from a skyline bristling with church towers, grand palaces, and centuries-old buildings that glow gold in the late afternoon light.The city bursts with cultural energy, carrying a deep heritage in literature, music, theater, and art-you can hear it in the street musicians’ violins echoing through the evening air.The city boasts some of the nation’s most treasured cultural landmarks, from the Czech National Theater-where velvet curtains rise on opera, ballet, and drama-to the world-famous Czech Philharmonic and the Prague State Opera’s grand stage; each spring, the Prague Spring Festival fills the air with music, while the streets themselves are a gallery of Romanesque arches, Gothic spires, Renaissance facades, Baroque curves, and sleek modernist lines.The city boasts landmarks from every era, from the soaring Gothic spires of St. Vitus Cathedral to the ornate Baroque facades in the Lesser Town, and on to the clean, geometric lines of 20th-century modernist functionalism.Because the city escaped heavy bombing in World War II, its old stone facades and narrow streets still stand much as they did decades ago.EconomyPrague drives the Czech Republic’s economy and ranks among Central Europe’s richest areas, with grand banks lining its busy streets.The city buzzes with international corporations, scrappy startups, and busy factories humming late into the night.Its tech sector is booming, with the IT industry buzzing like a busy café and pouring major revenue into the economy.The city’s also a key hub for finance, home to several international banks and financial institutions, some with glass towers that catch the morning sun.Prague boasts several prestigious universities, including Charles University-founded in 1348 and older than many nations-where cobblestone courtyards echo with centuries of learning.It’s one of the Czech Republic’s top centers for research and teaching, where lecture halls buzz with fresh ideas.The city’s home to a range of research institutes, especially those focused on science, technology, and the humanities-places where you might spot lab lights glowing late into the night.Prague’s public transport runs like clockwork, with sleek trams gliding past cobblestone streets, and a network that includes buses, the metro, and plenty of taxis.The city’s metro is famous for running on time and staying spotless, with floors so clean you can see your reflection.Václav Havel Airport links Prague to cities across the globe, from snowy Montreal to sunlit Athens.Trains link the city to the rest of the Czech Republic and beyond, with several bustling stations where you can hear the rumble of departures to cities across Europe.In Prague, you can taste everything from hearty Czech goulash to fragrant bowls of Thai curry.Czech cuisine offers favorites like svíčková, tender beef in a creamy sauce with dumplings and a tart spoonful of cranberry, vepřo knedlo zelo, hearty roast pork with sauerkraut and dumplings, and trdelník, a warm, sugar-dusted pastry rolled in walnuts that’s now a beloved Prague street snack despite its foreign roots.The city also prides itself on its lively beer scene, home to legendary breweries such as Pilsner Urquell and Budweiser Budvar.Czech beer is famous for its quality, and you’ll find it woven into daily life-poured into tall, frosty mugs at nearly every corner pub.In Prague, locals tend to be friendly and welcoming toward visitors, often greeting you with a warm smile on a cobblestone street.Czech is the primary language, part of the West Slavic family, but you’ll hear plenty of English in tourist spots, from busy café counters to hotel front desks.The Czech people carry a strong sense of cultural pride, cherishing their traditions, art, and history-like the centuries-old folk dances still performed in village squares.In Prague, the climate is temperate and oceanic, shifting clearly from the soft green of spring to crisp autumn air, with all four seasons easy to tell apart.Winters turn bitter, with temperatures slipping below freezing and snow dusting the ground now and then.Summer brings mild to warm days, with temperatures hovering between 20°C and 30°C (68°F to 86°F), and sunlight often lingers well into the evening.Spring and autumn slip between extremes, bringing mild air and bursts of scarlet and gold to the trees in parks and gardens.TourismPrague ranks among Europe’s top travel spots, drawing millions each year to its cobbled streets and glowing spires.Visitors pour into the city to wander beneath its centuries-old arches, explore lively museums, and soak up the buzz in the streets.Beyond its famous landmarks, visitors flock to the city’s buzzing cafés, bustling markets, and lively nightlife, where you might sip ale in a cozy wood‑paneled pub, then dance past midnight in a neon‑lit club.Despite the city’s lively streets and constant hum, Prague hides plenty of breathing room-shady parks, fragrant gardens, and leafy corners where the air smells faintly of grass.Highlights include Petrin Hill, a sprawling park where you can see the city spread out beneath you; Letná Park, a favorite with locals and visitors for its sweeping views over the Vltava; Riegrovy Sady, laid-back and lively with beer gardens; and Stromovka Park, vast and crisscrossed with paths for walking or cycling.All year long, Prague bursts with festivals-classical music drifting from open-air stages, film screenings under the stars, theater performances, and food fairs that fill the air with the smell of fresh pastries.Highlights of the year include the Prague Spring International Music Festival, where grand symphonies fill ornate concert halls; the Prague International Film Festival (Febiofest), bringing world cinema to local screens; the Prague Fringe Festival, alive with daring theater and street performances; and the Prague Christmas Markets, glowing with twinkling lights and the scent of fresh gingerbread.It’s a city where cobblestone streets meet buzzing cafés, blending centuries-old charm with a lively, modern pulse.
Landmarks in Prague
