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Prague History - The Heart of Europe

Czechs are West Slavs, Prague the capital of the Czech Republic is often called The Heart of Europe. There are about 10 million people in the Czech Republic and about 1.3 million people in Prague. Prague has become one of the most popular City Breaks in Europe. It is a beautifully preserved city with amazing architecture, stunning old buildings, winding streets, famous sights such as Charles Bridge, Old Town Square, Prague Castle, etc. Prague has a fascination that almost amounts to enchantment.

History of the Kingdoms

Before the arrival of the Slavs in the 6th century this area was inhabited by Germanic and Celtic tribes. A lot of rulers and kings ruled the people in Bohemia from the 7th to 19th centuries. Let us notice two of them: emperor Charles IV and emperor Rudolf II. During the reign of Charles IV (1346-78), as king of Bohemia and Holy Roman emperor, Prague grew into one of the largest cities in Europe. It acquired its fine Gothic face and landmarks including Charles University, Charles Bridge and St. Vitus Cathedral. In the second half of the 16th century the city experienced great prosperity under emperor Rudolf II and was made the seat of the Habsburg Empire. Rudolf II established great collections of art and renowned artists and scholars were invited to his court.

History of Prague in nutshell

  • Around 870: Foundation of Prague Castle.
  • Around 926: Foundation of St. Vitus rotunda within Prague Castle.
  • 965: Prague first reported in the narration of Ibrahim Ibn Jakub, a merchant.
  • 973: Foundation of Prague bishopric.
  • 10th century: Foundation of Vysehrad Castle on the opposite Vltava bank of the river.
  • 1085: Prague becomes the residence of the first Bohemian king Vratislav I.
  • 1172: Construction of Judita´s Bridge, the 2nd stone bridge in Central Europe
  • Around 1230: Establishment of the Old Town.
  • 1257: Foundation of the Lesser Town.
  • 1310 - 1346: John of Luxembourg rules as the king of Bohemia.
  • Around 1320: Foundation of Hradcany.
  • 1338: Foundation of the Old Town Hall - the importance of the city increases.
  • 1344: Prague bishopric upgraded to archbishopric, beginning of St. Vitus, St. Wenceslas and St. Adalbert Cathedral (finished 1929).
  • 1346-1378: Charles IV epoch - Prague becomes the capital of the Bohemian Kingdom and the Holy Roman Empire.
  • 1348: Foundation of the New Town and the first university in Central Europe (Charles University).
  • 1419-1437: Attempts of the clergy to reform the church result in the Husites revolutionary movement (Jan Hus - the reform preacher and martyr).
  • 1526: Hapsburg dynasty ascends the Bohemian throne (until 1918).
  • 1583-1611: Rudolf II becomes the king of Bohemia, and Prague the emperors residence, centre of social and cultural life.
  • 1618-1620: Defeat of the Czech nobles´ uprising; Czech language and Czech national consciousness begin to decline.
  • 1784: Union of the four hitherto independent Prague urban units (Hradcany, Lesser Town, Old Town and New Town).
  • 1784-1848: Period of Czech national revival, beginning of the industrial revolution, establishment of Czech institutions
  • 1918: Proclamation of independence of Czechoslovakia, Prague becomes the new state capital.
  • 1939-1945: Occupation by Nazi Germany.
  • 1945: The Prague uprising, "liberation" of Prague by the Soviet army.
  • 1948: Seizure of power by KSC after the February putsch.
  • 1968: Prague Spring - an attempt to reform socialism, intervention of 5 states of the Warsaw Pact.
  • 1989: Velvet revolution, Vaclav Havel elected President.
  • 1990: First free elections.
  • 1993: January 1, Czechoslovakian Federation splits up, formation of the Czech Republic.
  • 1993: January 26, Vaclav Havel elected first president of the Czech Republic.
  • 1999: March 12, Czech Republic becomes a member of NATO.
  • 2004: May 1, Czech Republic joins the European Union (E.U.)