Prague

Prague is the capital of the Czech Republic. It is the most important political, economic and cultural centre of the country and seat of the President and the other institutions of Czech government.
More than one million people live here.
In middle ages, it was a very important city in the time of reign the king Charles IV.

Now I would like to speak about the centre of Prague. The historical centre is very nice. There is a Venceslas square, which is the largest and the most important square in Prague. It is typical for a statue of St. Venceslas in the upper part of the square. This statue was made by Czech sculptor Myslbek. There are a lot of small cafeterias, fastfoods and restaurants.
From the Venceslas square we can go to the Old Town square. This square is well known for the Astronomical clock with twelve apostles going around beyond two little windows every hour. It is the place where twenty seven Czech noblemen were executed.
From the Old Town square we can go to Charles Bridge. This bridge was built by Charles IV. in the 14th century.
The urban river is called Vltava.
In Old town its Judaic cemetery and Old - New Synagogue was the centre of The Prague Ghetto. It is very attractive and interesting place.
The most famous place for tourists is Prague castle. It is the seat of the president. There we can visit for example the Golden lane. The St.Vitus cathedral stands near the Castle.

Now I would like to present art movements in Prague history.

Romanesque style:
The oldest buildings are built in the Romanesque style. They have thick stone walls and small narrow windows with round arches. The most important example of Romanesque style is the Basilica of St. George at Prague Castle. Rotundas were also built – there are three in the Prague, for example in Vyšehrad. Prague had also a Romanesque stone bridge – the Judith Bridge, it was near the present Charles Bridge. Many Romanesque houses were in the Old Town.

Gothic style:
The next style is called Gothic. The buildings were high with much thinner walls, their arches were pointed. Rib cross vault is another of their characteristic features. Examples: St. Vitus´s Cathedral, Old Town Hall, Charles Bridge and its towers and Old – New Synagogue. Many Gothic buildings were built especially during the reign of Charles IV. He called to Prague the best builders of his days – Mathias of Arras and after his death – Peter Parler. At Prague Castle he built a new residence similar to the palace of French kings. Charles IV. also established the New Town. Some large buildings, for example St. Vitus´s Cathedral or the Church of Our Lady of Týn or the Church of Our Lady of the Snows were finished much later. Vladislav´s Hall at Prague Castle named after the king Vladislav Jagellon, was built in Gothic style, but its windows are in Renaissance style.

Renaissance style:
The best – known examples of Renaissance style are the Royal Summer Palace or Belveder or Hvězda Summer Palace. During the reign of the Emperor Rudolf II., who made Prague his permanent residence the Spanish Hall and Rudolf´s Gallery were built at Prague Castle.
Baroque and Rococo styles:
Many churches and other buildings are from period of Baroque and Rococo. Their characteristic features are monumentally, curve in the forms of windows, wall or statues, onion-shaped tower roofs, large wall paintings. The most famous Baroque church is St. Nicholas Church in Malostranské náměstí, another Baroque church is the Church of St. Nicholas in the Old Town Square and Prague Loretta in Hradčany. The finest Rococo building in Prague is Kinský Palace in the Old Town Square.

Classicism and empire:
The style of classicism and empire were inspired by Classical architecture – The Estate Theatre, there were in 1787 the world premiere of Mozart´s Don Giovanni, and in 1834 the premiere of Josef Kajetán Tyl´s Fidlovačka, one of its songs became the Czech anthem. Prague’s best-known Empire style building is the Exhibition Hale U Hybernů.

The second half of the 19th century is period of pseudo-historical styles. A pseudo-Romanesque style and pseudo-Gothic style is frequent – the western half of St. Vitus´s Cathedral or the Church of St. Ludmila in Vinohrady. Neo-Renaissance buildings are for example the National Theatre, the Rudolfinum or the National Museum.

Art Nouveau:
At the beginning of the 20th century, blocks of flats and public buildings were built in Art Nouveau. It is a very decorative style with flowers and leaves, geometrical ornaments. For example Prague Municipal House beside the Powder Tower.

Cubism:
After the Art Nouveau there was a short period of Cubism. The most important of these buildings is the house at black Madonna.

Functionalism:
Another famous style was architectural Functionalism. It was a period between two wars. An outstanding example of Czech Constructivism is Trade Fair Palace in Holešovice.

Modern art:
In Prague of there days we can see all these historical monuments and also new buildings for example very interesting Dancing House – it looks like dancing pair of people.