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I was lucky enough in October 2006 to be sent to Prague for a three day conference in Prague. I was wined and dined for three days and attended the seminar held in the Zofin Palace on an island in the Vltava River and I have to say it was magical. Yes I do know how lucky I am so thought you might like to see some of the sights I enjoyed during my stay. Prague (Czech: Praha) is the largest and principal city of the Czech republic and was established on Vltava the river in central Böhmen, 

Nicknames for Prague have included "city of a hundred spires" and "the golden city". Since 1992, the historical medium of Prague was included in the UNESCO lists of World Heritage Sites.

Prague is a quintessentially European city, with a history to match. Founded during the 9th Century, Prague flourished and grew to be one of the biggest cities in Europe in the 14th Century. It has played host to many historical dramas -including two great defenestration's (throwing people out of windows!) and the 'velvet' revolution - and tragedies - including the massacre of the entire Jewish population (about 50,000) during World War 2. Lets not dwell on that here and move on to the  area on which Prague was founded. Prague was settled in ancient times since the Paleolithic Age. Around 200 BCE the Celts had a settlement in the south, called Závist, but later they were expelled by Germans. The Slavs conquered the site from the 4th century CE onwards, though for a period were subdued by the Eurasian Avars.

According to a legend, Prague was founded by the Princess Libuše and her husband, Pr(emysl, founder of the dynasty with the same name. Whether this legend is true or not, Prague's first nucleus was founded in the latter part of the 9th century as a castle on a hill commanding the right bank of the Vltava: this is known as Vyšehrad ("high castle") to differentiate from another castle which was later erected on the opposite bank, the future Prague Castle. Soon the city became the seat of the kings of Bohemia. It was an important seat for trading where merchants coming from all Europe settled, including many Jews, as recalled in 965 by the Jewish merchant and traveler Ibrahim ibn Ya'qub. The city became a bishopric in 973.

King Vladislav II had a first bridge on the Vltava built in 1170, the Judith Bridge, which crumbled down in 1342. The Charles Bridge was later built on its foundings.

In 1257, under King Otakar II, Malá Strana ("Small Side") was founded in Prague in the future Hradc(any area: it was the district of the German people. These had the right to administrate the law autonomously, pursuant to Magdeburg Rights. The new district was on the opposite bank of the Staré Mesto ("Old Town"), which had a borough status and was defended by a line of walls and fortifications.

I found it to be architecturally brilliant and wonderful to just mosey around and my highlight would be having dinner in the moonlight outside in the old square whilst the clock struck the hour. I will recall that more than anything. Please enjoy some pictures of my trip below:

The Castle courtyard at night                                                                    Charles Bridge early evening

The Old Town Prague

Charles Bridge and View from Zofin Palace Island

Astronomical clock in the old square      Palace Guard ( changed Hourly )            Palace Courtyard view of Church

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Copyright © 2006 P S Humphries
Last modified: November 10, 2006