Prague

Prague is the capital and the largest city in the Czech Republic. It is the seat of most state institutions. For instance, it is the seat of the President of the Republic, the government and the Supreme Court.

Prague has an area of 496 square kilometres and has 1,233,211 inhabitants (data from the Czech Statistical Institute as of 31/12/2008). Approximately 300,000 people travel to work there every day, mostly from the Central Bohemia Region. Prague developed into its present form over many centuries. As the historical metropolis of Bohemia it was the seat of Bohemian princes, kings, Roman Catholic emperors and the capital of Czechoslovakia. It represents a crossroads of cultures and a textbook of architecture, which is admired by the whole world.

Prague is considered one of the most beautiful and most visited cities in Europe. It is visited by several million tourists world-wide every year. The historical centre of the city, with the unique silhouette of Prague Castle, the largest castle complex in the world, is a UNESCO heritage site. The historical centre of Prague was entered on the List in the scope of the Prague Heritage Site. It represents the unique whole of the historic Prague towns of Staré Město (Old Town), Josefov, Nové Město (New Town), Vyšehrad, Malá Strana (Lesser Town) and Hradčany with the dominant point of Prague Castle and Charles Bridge.

The oldest monuments include the Celtic oppidum at Závist, the Early Gothic Nunnery of St. Anne and the Břevnov Monastery. While the most valuable monument of the Prague Jewish Ghetto, the Old-New synagogue is one of the oldest preserved synagogues in Europe, the Old Jewish Cemetery is the most valuable preserved Jewish cemetery in Europe.

The most outstanding monuments are linked by the Royal Route. It leads from Obecní dům (Municipal Building) to Prague Castle. On the way visitors can admire the Old Town Square with the Old Town Hall and the world famous astrological clock and the Charles Bridge dating from the middle of the 14th century. On the opposite bank of the Vltava visitors can stop at Lesser Town Square, which is dominated by the Baroque Church of St. Nicholas. Prague Castle is dominated by the Cathedral of Saints Vitus, Wenceslas and St. Adalbert, which houses the Czech crown jewels.

Prague is also a place offering varied cultural activities. It offers its residents and visitors 300 galleries and exhibition halls, many museums, numerous theatres and concert halls.