Prague

Lore & Background

Prague is a historical city with Romanesque, Gothic, Renaissance, and Baroque architecture. It was the capital of the Kingdom of Bohemia and residence of several Holy Roman Emperors, most notably Charles IV (r. 1346–1378) and Rudolf II (r. 1575–1611). It was an important city to the Habsburg monarchy and Austria-Hungary. The city played major roles in the Bohemian and Protestant Reformations, the Thirty Years' War, and in 20th-century history as the capital of Czechoslovakia between the World Wars and the post-war Communist era.

According to a popular legend, the Czech name Praha is derived from the Czech word meaning 'threshold'. In the 18th century, Josef Dobrovský's theory was accepted, according to which the name is derived from the old Slavic word meaning 'ford' or 'rapid'. Since the 19th century, the accepted theory has been that the name is derived from the old Czech verb 'to burn' and from 'burned forest'. In the mid-20th century, linguist Antonín Profous corrected the theory by saying that the name is indeed derived from pražiti, but this word also means 'to roast', and the name denoted a hot, arid place.

Reader's Guide

Prague is home to a number of cultural attractions including Prague Castle, Charles Bridge, Old Town Square with the Prague astronomical clock, the Jewish Quarter, Petřín hill, and Vyšehrad. Since 1992, the historic centre of Prague has been included in the UNESCO list of World Heritage Sites. The city has more than ten major museums, along with numerous theatres, galleries, cinemas, and other historical exhibits. An extensive modern public transportation system connects the city.

It is home to a wide range of public and private schools, including Charles University, the oldest university in Central Europe. Prague is classified as a 'Beta+' global city according to GaWC studies. Its rich history makes it a popular tourist destination, and as of 2017, the city receives more than 8.5 million international visitors annually. In 2017, Prague was listed as the fifth most visited European city after London, Paris, Rome, and Istanbul.

Did You Know?

• Prague is nicknamed the 'City of a Hundred Spires,' based on a count by 19th-century mathematician Bernard Bolzano; today's count is estimated by the Prague Information Service at 500.
• Other nicknames for Prague include the Golden City, the Mother of Cities and the Heart of Europe.
• The local Jewish community has described the city as 'Ir va-em be-yisrael', meaning 'The city and mother in Israel'.