Prague

Prague, capital and largest city of the Czech Republic, is located in central Bohemia on the Vltava River. The city serves as the political, cultural, and economic center of the country. With a history spanning over a millennium, Prague developed from a royal seat in the 9th century to a major European metropolis. Its historic core, Prague Castle complex, and well-preserved medieval architecture earned the center a UNESCO World Heritage designation in 1992.

The city’s architecture reflects Gothic, Renaissance, Baroque, and Art Nouveau styles, along with Cubist and modernist elements. Historic districts include the Old Town, New Town, and Lesser Town. Landmarks include Prague Castle and St. Vitus Cathedral, the Charles Bridge, and the Astronomical Clock in the Old Town Hall.

Prague was the capital of the Kingdom of Bohemia and later the Habsburg monarchy, then part of Czechoslovakia after 1918. It experienced the Prague Spring reforms in 1968 and the Velvet Revolution of 1989, leading to the transition to democracy. Since 1993 it has been the capital of the Czech Republic, and since 2002 a member of the European Union.

The city has a dense transit system with metro lines A, B, and C and an extensive tram network. It is home to Charles University (founded 1348), and numerous museums and galleries.

The population of the city proper is about 1.3 million, with greater Prague metro area around 2 million. Prague has a temperate climate with warm summers and cold winters.