Prague, the mother of all cities, Part 1
June 29th 2008 06:34
Hailed as the mother of all cities and the golden city, Hlavni mesto Praha or Prague – the capital city, has been the economic, cultural and political heart of the Czech Republic for over 2000 years. It is widely held to be the most beautiful city in Europe and is one of its most often visited. Prague’s spectacular architecture and its fascinating cultural heritage beg the questions – Who created this beautiful city? What forces shaped this rich culture? How has it survived for over 1100 years? The answer lies in its history.
This sensational and highly advantageous location on the banks of Vltava River in Bohemia, at the very heart of Europe, has been settled since the Paleolithic Age. The first known inhabitants, from around 500 BC, were the Celtic Boii who named the area Bohemia and the river Vltava. Trade routes, connecting northern and southern Europe, followed the course of the river through the region. These opened Bohemia to other influences and more importantly to successive waves of migration which began in the 2nd century and continued until the 10th. In 9AD the Germanic, Marcomanni with their King, Maroboduus, arrived, followed by the Lombards. Many assimilated with the Celts and settled here. Others continued to migrate south ahead of the West Slavs' invasion in the 6th century. Finally, in the 7th century, the Czech Slavs settled in Bohemia and the Czech nation was founded.
Prehistoric and very early Prague can be explored in the National Museum. There is a wonderful collection of artefacts, including tools, weapons, pots, jewellery and even bones, along with re-constructions of early tribal life.
The museum also houses the nation’s natural history collection with vast rooms full of crystals, fossils, shells, skeletons and stuffed animals.
The building is a grand, neo-classical wonder with gleaming marble halls, majestic pillars and sweeping staircases – a dark, heavy, echoing, awe-inspiring place which is worth visiting just for its architecture and its ambience.
The National Museum is at the top end of Wenceslas Square.. Admission is 120 Korun
The Vltava River
This sensational and highly advantageous location on the banks of Vltava River in Bohemia, at the very heart of Europe, has been settled since the Paleolithic Age. The first known inhabitants, from around 500 BC, were the Celtic Boii who named the area Bohemia and the river Vltava. Trade routes, connecting northern and southern Europe, followed the course of the river through the region. These opened Bohemia to other influences and more importantly to successive waves of migration which began in the 2nd century and continued until the 10th. In 9AD the Germanic, Marcomanni with their King, Maroboduus, arrived, followed by the Lombards. Many assimilated with the Celts and settled here. Others continued to migrate south ahead of the West Slavs' invasion in the 6th century. Finally, in the 7th century, the Czech Slavs settled in Bohemia and the Czech nation was founded.
Looking down Wenceslas Square from the National Museum
Prehistoric and very early Prague can be explored in the National Museum. There is a wonderful collection of artefacts, including tools, weapons, pots, jewellery and even bones, along with re-constructions of early tribal life.
The lobby of the National Museum
The museum also houses the nation’s natural history collection with vast rooms full of crystals, fossils, shells, skeletons and stuffed animals.
The building is a grand, neo-classical wonder with gleaming marble halls, majestic pillars and sweeping staircases – a dark, heavy, echoing, awe-inspiring place which is worth visiting just for its architecture and its ambience.
The National Museum is at the top end of Wenceslas Square.. Admission is 120 Korun
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