© Lenka Lexová Prague

© Lenka Lexová Introduction it's the capital and largest city of the Czech Republic it's got many nicknames: "the mother of cities", "city of a hundred spires" or "the golden city" it's a political, historic, cultural and an economic centre of the country it's the seat of government, the centre of business and education it's located in the heart of Europe it's got more than 1.2 million inhabitants since 1992, the historic centre of Prague has been included in the UNESCO list

© Lenka Lexová History the area was settled around 200 BC by the Celts according to legends, Prague was "founded" by Libuše and the oldest building is the Prague Castle the city flourished during the 14 th century under the reign of the king Charles IV after the end of the Austro-Hungarian Empire Prague was chosen as the capital of the Czech lands and Prague Castle as the seat of the first president Tomáš Masaryk at the end of the WW II Prague suffered several bombing by the U.S. Air Force (mistaken for Munchen)‏ on 21st August 1968 Prague as well as the rest of the country was occupied by the troops of the Soviet Union and other communist countries of the Warsaw Pact after the Velvet Revolution the city became an important cultural centre of Europe

© Lenka Lexová Economy it is the site of the European headquarters of many international companies Prague has become a popular filming location for international productions Prague ' s industrial sector is split into aircraft engines, diesel engines, oil products, electronics, chemicals, food, printing services – accommodation, restaurants, banks, tourism (almost one-half of the national income from tourism is spent in Prague)

© Lenka Lexová Culture Prague is traditionally one of the cultural centres of Europe, hosting many cultural events there are hundreds of concert halls, galleries, cinemas and music clubs Prague hosts Music Festivals including the Prague Spring International Music Festival many films have been made at the Barrandov Studios significant cultural institutions: The National Library, The National Gallery, The National Theatre, The State Opera, The National Museum

© Lenka Lexová Education Prague is also a center of education, several universities and colleges are located in the city Charles University founded in 1348 (the oldest university in Central and Eastern Europe) Czech Technical University the Academy of Fine Arts Czech University of Agriculture University of Economics

© Lenka Lexová Transport the public transport consists of Prague Underground, Prague Tram System and buses all services have a common ticketing system you can reach the city by rail, Prague has two international railway stations: Hlavní nádraží and Praha-Holešovice Prague is served by Ruzyně International Airport, the biggest airport in the Czech Republic and one of the busiest in Central and Eastern Europe

© Lenka Lexová Sports Prague is the site of many sports events, national stadiums and teams Prague International Marathon Slavia Praha Letná AC Sparta Stadium Sazka arena - NHL 2008 Opening Game, 2004 Men ' s World Ice Hockey Championship and Euroleague Final Four Strahov Stadium - the second-largest stadium in the world Prague Open - prestige Floorball cup Chuchle – horse races

© Lenka Lexová

Národní třída

© Lenka Lexová The Municipal House The Dancing House

© Lenka Lexová The Powder Tower

© Lenka Lexová Old Town Square

© Lenka Lexová The Old Town Hall with the Astronomic Clock

© Lenka Lexová Jan Hus Memorial Prague Meridian

© Lenka Lexová St. Nicholas Church

© Lenka Lexová Kinsky Palace

© Lenka Lexová Týn Cathedral

© Lenka Lexová Charles Bridge

© Lenka Lexová Prague Castle St. Vitus Cathedral Golden Lane

© Lenka Lexová The National Museum and Wenceslaw square

© Lenka Lexová Rudolfinum Výstaviště Stromovka Park Lesser Town Strahov Monastery Loreta

© Lenka Lexová Petřín Park and look-out tower Jewish town and cemetery National Library at Klementinum Vyšehrad