Stunning architecture is not limited to Prague - there are plenty of Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque facades in other towns. Among the richest are Kutná Hora in Central Bohemia; Cheb, Loket and Domaľlice in western Bohemia; Olomouc in northern Moravia; and Telč and Kromeriz in southern Moravia. History of Prague through the Centuries 9th century - The Prague Castle is founded around 880 by prince Bořivoj of the Premyslid dynasty. Prague is established. - Some members of the Premyslid dynasty embrace Christianity brought to the - Czech lands by Cyril and Methodius, the "apostles of the Slavs". 10th century - Foundations are laid to St. Vitus Rotunda and the Vyąehrad Castle. - The Prague bishopric is founded in 973. 11th century - Vratislav II becomes the first Czech king in 1085 but remains subordinate to - the Holy Roman Empire and the German king. 12th century - The first stone bridge over the Vltava, Judith Bridge, is built in 1172. 13th century - The Old Town (Staré město) is founded in 1231. - The Lesser Town (Malá Strana) is founded in 1257. 14th century - Prague's Golden Age - John of Luxembourg rules the country (1310-1346). - The Prague Castle Area (Hradčany) is founded around 1320. - The Old Town Hall is founded in 1338. - Judith Bridge collapses in a flood in 1342. - Charles IV rules the country (1346-1378) and will be remembered as the most - beloved Czech king. Prague becomes one of the most prosperous cities in - Europe and the cultural capital of Central Europe. - The Prague bishopric is upgraded to an archbishopric. - Construction of St. Vitus cathedral begins. - The New Town (Nové město) is founded in 1348. - Charles University is established in 1348 and becomes the first university - in Central Europe. - Charles IV elected Holy Roman Emperor in 1355; Prague becomes the - capital of the Holy Roman Empire. - Construction of Charles Bridge begins in 1357. 15th century - The Hussite wars are sweeping the country from 1419 to 1437 as a result of - the religious conflicts between the Hussites and the Roman Catholic Church. - Many historical artifacts are destroyed and the Prague Castle deteriorates. 16th century and Prague's Second Golden Age - The reign of the Hapsburg dynasty begins in 1526 and the seat of power moves - to Vienna. - Prague Castle is reconstructed in the Renaissance style and a number of - recreational sites are added (the Royal Garden, the Belvedere, the Ballgame - Hall, etc.) - Rudolf II, Holy Roman Emperor, is crowned the Czech king in 1575 and moves - his court back to Prague in 1583. Prague becomes the center of science and - alchemy and earns the nickname "Magic Prague". Many famous scientists are - attracted to Prague, such as astronomers Tycho de Brahe and Johannes - Kepler. 17th century - The Protestant uprising begins in 1618. - Protestants are severely defeated in the Battle of the White Mountain (bitva na - Bílé hoře) in 1620. The Dark Age of the Czech history (doba temna) begins. - Prague loses importance and the Prague Castle deteriorates. 18th century - The four independent urban areas of Prague (Old Town, Malá Strana, - Hradčany, New Town) are united by Joseph II in 1784. - A Czech nationalist movement called the National Revival (národní obrození) - begins in 1784. The Czech language, culture and national identity are being - brought back to life. - Joseph II issues the Edict of Tolerance in 1781, granting political and religious - rights to religious minorities. 19th century - The Industrial Revolution begins. - A railway between Vienna and Prague opens in 1845. - The growing industry results in an increase of Prague's Czech population - as people move to the city from the countryside. - Josefov is added to Prague's historical center in 1850. - The National Revival continues. Czech institutions are established to celebrate - the Czech history and culture: the National Theater opens in 1868, the - National Museum opens in 1890. 20th century - The Austro-Hungarian empire falls in 1918 and Prague becomes the capital - of independent Czechoslovakia. - Prague Castle becomes the seat of the first president of Czechoslovakia, - Tomáą Garrigue Masaryk. - Prague becomes close with Paris between WWI and WWII. - Prague and the rest of the country are occupied by Nazi Germany during - World War II (1939-1945). - The Prague Uprising and liberation by the Soviet Red Army end World War II - in 1945. - The Communist Party seizes power after the February 25, 1948 coup d'etat. - Alexander Dubček, secretary of the Communist Party, attempts to create - "socialism with a human face", culminating in the spring of 1968 ("Prague - Spring"). - "Prague Spring" fails and five Warsaw Pact member countries invade - Czechoslovakia on August 21, 1968. - The Velvet Revolution starts in Prague on November 17, 1989 and brings an - end to communism. Czechoslovakia becomes a democratic country. - Václav Havel, former dissident, is elected president in the country's first - democratic elections in January 1990. - Czechoslovakia splits into two independent countries, Czech Republic and - Slovakia on January 1, 1993. Prague becomes the capital of the Czech - Republic. - Václav Havel is elected first president of the Czech Republic in January 1993. - The Czech Republic joins NATO in 1999. - In 2002, the Czech Republic is approved to become a member of the European - Union. - The Czech Republic is accepted into the European Union on May 1, 2004. |
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