Prague is beautiful and attractive at every time of the year. Its charm results from the work of both nature and man over a period of more than a thousand years. The long erosive action of the river Vltava has formed uncommonly favourable natural conditions, where plains and hills, valleys and slopes alternate in sharp contrast. At the spot where Prague stands, the Vltava reaches a width unparallelled throughout its entire course. For centuries Prague has been one of the major centres of artistic creativity and patronage in Europe and its collections of the work of master craftsmen will be a revelation to every visitor. The extraordinary diversity of Prague´s art and architecture bears witness to a turbulent and fascinating history and is a tribute to the originality and love for beauty of the Bohemian people. Many foreign personalities have appreciated the beauty of Prague and some of their impressions and comments are well known.

Prague, as the capital, is situated right in the heart of the Czech Republic (comprising Bohemia, Moravia and Silesia) and we can also say in the heart of Europe. It is called "the City of hundred spires", the "Golden City" or the "Mother of Cities".

Since the 9th century, it has been the focal point of Bohemia, the residential town of the Přemyslid princes, home to all Bohemian kings of Luxembourg and Jagellon dynasties, through the Habsburg emperors, since 1918 the capital of Czechoslovakia and since 1993 the capital of the Czech Republic.

Prague has 1,202,600 inhabitants and covers an area of 497 square kilometers. Like Rome, it is built on seven hills, along the banks of river Vltava, and is divided into 10 districts. The whole inner city is a protected area with many historical buildings - there are over 1,700 cultural monuments, hundreds of ancient houses, palaces and churches, old lanes and beautiful gardens. The most important period in the development of the city was the reign of Charles IV, King of Bohemia and Emperor of the Holy Roman Empire. Later under the Habsburgs, Prague moved from Gothic architecture to Renaissance and then to Baroque.

Its most famous landmark is the monumental complex of the Prague Castle - the symbol of the history of the Czech nation, because everything of importance that has ever taken place in the Czech Lands is connected with its walls and halls. All political events were reflected there and all dynasties contributed to its construction in all styles, starting from the Romanesque and passing through the Gothic, the Renaissance and the Baroque down to the modern styles. The splendid position of the Castle on a hill sloping steeply down on three sides presents an unforgettable sight when viewed from the city and the view from the Castle is also breathtaking. Below the Castle, the Lesser Town (Malá Strana) spreads out before you with splendid buildings, Baroque palaces and gardens, the Kampa Island with the Čertovka water way. Among the 17 bridges linking the two banks of the Vltava river, the most famous is the unique, 600-years-old Charles Bridge with Gothic towers and Baroque statues. Prague Loretto, near the Prague Castle, is a Baroque Church with a fine collection of liturgical gold, silver and diamond monstrances and a famous carillon in the tower.

The Prague fortress of Vyšehrad is located on the right bank of the Vltava River and was constructed by the Přemyslids in the 9th century followed by a new seat of the Prague bishopric. Today there are still the Church of St. Peter and Paul, the Romanesque Rotunda of St. Martin, the residence of Canonicus and the Slavín Cemetery remaining.

The Old Town - life in this area revolves around the Old Town Square, one of the most popular tourist attractions. Here you can find the Old Town Hall with its astronomical clock, St. Nicolas' Church, Týn Church, the Bethlehem Chapel (where the Czech reformer John Huss preached), the Estates Theatre, the Charles University, the Powder Tower and the Klementinum (originally a Jesuit college). Especially precious is the old Jewish Town with its well-preserved Jewish cemetery, synagogues and museums.

The New Town - this is the modern district of theatres, museums, hotels and shops and also the commercial centre of the city. The Wenceslas Square - the hub of the whole city - is with its hotels, shops, restaurants and night-clubs more a bustling boulevard than a regular square. The National Museum stands at the beginning of the square and in front of it the statue of St. Wenceslas, the saint patron of Bohemia, is rising. In this area you can also find the National Theatre and Charles Square where the New Town Hall is situated.

The city centre is to a large extent a pedestrian zone. The Prague metro connects the peripheral districts with the town centre quickly and comfortably.

Since the Middle Ages, Prague ranks among finer European centres of education and the Charles University, founded in 1348 by Charles IV, is the oldest one in Central Europe. In the town there are other colleges as well - the schools of art and technology. Prague is an important cultural centre in Europe. It has more than 20 theatres, 50 art galleries and exhibition halls, 35 museums, dozens of concert halls, libraries, cultural and other centres. Places of interest include the Šternberk Palace (The National Gallery) - a collection of European paintings exhibited in a beautiful Baroque palace founded at the end of the 17th century. St. Georges Convent - this ancient Romanesque Basilica was founded in the 10th century and later rebuilt in Baroque style. At present this building contains an exhibition of the National Galery, comprising the Czech art from the Gothic to the Baroque period. St. Agnes Convent - this collection of Czech paintings and Czech art of the 19th century is housed in an ancient Gothic convent founded in the 13th century. The collections of the modern art of the 19th and of 20 century are exhibited in a completely renewed building of National GalleryThe Strahov Library is also well worth visiting. This 800-years-old Premonstrate monastery ranks among the most important medieval buildings in Prague. A special position on the Prague´s heaven of art is held by music. The love for music and a warm musical temperament have always been among the most remarkable features of the Czech national character. Until today the chorales of Hussites and Baroque organ works have been performed in several concert halls. The Czech music achieved its culminating point by works composed by the great personalities as Bedřich Smetana, Antonín Dvořák, Leoš Janáček, Bohuslav Martinů and others. The most important musical event in Prague is the International Prague Spring Festival, which every year since 1946 marks the climax of the concert and theatre season in Prague. The Prague Festival always starts on May 12, the anniversary of the death of Bedřich Smetana, and lasts until June 4. It invariably opens with a concert of Smetana´s "My Country" and ends with Beethoven´s Ninth Symphony. The slogan of this festival is "With Music to Peace and International Friendship." In Prague there are also several jazzclubs /Reduta, Rock Café, Viola/.
Shortly to say, Prague is a magic cube of limitless art attractions.