2. The magical city of bridges, cathedrals, gold-tipped towers and church domes, whose image has been mirrored in the surface of the Vltava river for more than ten centuries. Prague is also a modern European metropolis full of energy, music, and art.

3. Introduction History Main sights Culture Colleges and universities Sport Miscellaneous Prague as a venue

4. Prague is the capital and largest city of the Czech Republic Nicknames for Prague: Mother of Cities City of a Hundred spires Golden City The name Prague comes from an old Slavic root (praga), which means ford Situated on the Vltava River in central Bohemia Prague has been the political, cultural and economic centre of the Czech state for more than 1100 years

5. Area: 496 km Population: 1 242 000

6. The city grew from a castle known as Vyšehrad to the multicultural capital According to legends, Prague was founded by Libuše and her husband Přemysl, but thats not true Pragues first nucleus was Prague castle The city became the seat of the dukes, and later kings, of Bohemia

8. King Vladislav II had a first bridge on the Vltava built in 1170 – the Judith Bridge (destroyed by flood in 1342) The era of Charles IV (Luxemburg dynasty): He ordered the building of the New Town, monument Saint Vitus Cathedral and the Charles University In the following two centuries, Prague strengthened its role as a merchant city Many notewortthy Gothic buildings were erected including the Vladislav Hall of the Prague Castle

10. In 1526 the fervent Catholicism of its members was to bring them into conflict in Bohemia, where the Protestant ideas were at the time having increating succes In 1576 was Rudolf II elected King of Bohemia, he chose Prague as his home, he was an art lover and the city became the capital of European culture

12. World War I ended with the defeat of the Austro- Hungarian Empire and the creation of Czechoslovakia Prague was chosen as its capital and Prague Castle as the seat of president (T. G. Masaryk) At this time Prague was a true European capital with hightly developed industry

14. Prague has become one of Europes most popular tourist destination (after London, Paris, Rome, Madrid and Berlin)

27. There are hundreds of concert halls, galleries, cinemas and music clubs in the city Many films have been made at the Barrandov Studios (for example Mission Impossible or Blade II) Prague has become a popular weekend city destination allowing tourists to visit its many museums and cultural sites as well as try its famous Czech beer and hearty cuisine

28. Several universities and colleges are located in the city: Charles University (1348) Czech Technical University (1707) Academy of Arts (1800) Institute of Chemical Technology (1920) University of Economics

29. Prague is the site of many sports events, national stadiums and teams Prague International Marathon Slavia Prague Sparta Prague O2 arena Strahov Stadium Mystic SK8 Cup

30. Prague is also the site of some of the most important offices and institutions of the Czech Republic: President of the Czech Republic The Government and both houses of Parliament Czech Television Radio Online Prague Institute for Global Urban Development

31. Recent major events held in Prague: NATO International Monetary Fund and World Bank International Olympic Committee International Astronomical Union EU