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Prague

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Prague is the capital city of the Czech Republic.

Prague districts en
Prague districts en

It sits right along the Vltava River. The city is quite large and busy. About 1.4 million people live within the city limits.

Prague by Sentinel-2, 2020-05-18
Prague by Sentinel-2, 2020-05-18

If you count the whole metropolitan area, there are about 2.3 million people. This makes it the twelfth-largest city in the European Union. It is a place where history and modern life meet every day.

The city is famous for its many different building styles. You can see Romanesque, Gothic, Renaissance, and Baroque architecture.

Prague old town square panorama
Prague old town square panorama

Some people call it the "City of a Hundred Spires." A mathematician named Bernard Bolzano counted them in the 19th century. Today, experts estimate there are actually 500 spires!

Prague 07-2016 View from Powder Tower img4
Prague 07-2016 View from Powder Tower img4

You can visit the huge Prague Castle or walk across the Charles Bridge.

Charles Bridge (Karlův most), Vltava River, Prague, 2015
Charles Bridge (Karlův most), Vltava River, Prague, 2015

The Old Town Square even has a famous astronomical clock.

Astronomical Clock (8341899828)
Astronomical Clock (8341899828)

Prague has a very long and deep history. Legends say a princess named Libuše saw a great city here.

Josef Mathauser - Kněžna Libuše věští slávu Prahy
Josef Mathauser - Kněžna Libuše věští slávu Prahy

Long ago, the city was the seat of the kings of Bohemia. Famous leaders like Charles IV helped make it an imperial capital.

Maqueta del castell de praga
Maqueta del castell de praga

He even helped start Charles University in 1347. This is the oldest university in Central Europe. The city has changed many times through wars and new governments.

There are many interesting facts about the city's name. One legend says the name comes from a word meaning "threshold."

Praha CoA CZ small
Praha CoA CZ small

Another theory says it comes from a word for a "ford" or "rapid." This refers to how the city sits on the Vltava River. Some think it means "burned forest" from an old settlement.

Prague banner c1477
Prague banner c1477

Others say it means a hot or dry place. The city is also known by many lovely nicknames. People call it the Golden City or the Heart of Europe.

Today, Prague is a very popular place for travelers.

Prague Mala Strana St. Nicholas-02
Prague Mala Strana St. Nicholas-02

In 2017, more than 8.5 million international visitors came to visit. It was the fifth most visited city in Europe that year. The city has more than ten major museums to explore.

Praha Národní muzeum 2
Praha Národní muzeum 2

You can also visit many theatres, galleries, and cinemas. An extensive public transport system helps everyone move around easily. It is a wonderful place to learn and discover.

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🖼️ Images & Media (39)
File:Josef Mathauser - Kněžna Libuše věští slávu Prahy.jpg
Josef Mathauser - Kněžna Libuše věští...
File:Maqueta del castell de praga.JPG
Maqueta del castell de praga.JPG
File:Archikatedra Świętych Wita, Wacława i Wojciecha w Pradze 20190816 1333 5260.jpg
Archikatedra Świętych Wita, Wacława i...
File:Astronomical Clock (8341899828).jpg
Astronomical Clock (8341899828).jpg
File:Prague banner c1477.png
Prague banner c1477.png
File:Praha CoA CZ small.svg
Praha CoA CZ small.svg
File:Frantisek Palacky monument.jpg
Frantisek Palacky monument.jpg
File:Praha 2009-12-26-27.jpg
Praha 2009-12-26-27.jpg
File:Prague liberation 1945 konev.jpg
Prague liberation 1945 konev.jpg
File:Havla 1989.jpg
Havla 1989.jpg
File:Mrakodrapy v Praze 2018.jpg
Mrakodrapy v Praze 2018.jpg
File:Prague by Sentinel-2, 2020-05-18.jpg
Prague by Sentinel-2, 2020-05-18.jpg

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