Unknown tribes established what
would become the modern city of Prague during the early Stone Age. They first
populated the hills over the Vltava River and ultimately their descendants
settled the entire region. A knowledgeable tour guide can tell you about the
Slavic settlement in the Czech Republic during the prehistoric period, for
Jewelry from that era, which are recognizable as originating in the Great
Moravian Empire, were found in archeological digs around Prague.
Have your tour guide take you to see
the Prague Castle which was and still is the center of the Czech Principality.
This high status was achieved through the building of the Christian Church of
the Virgin Mary at the core of the Castle and through the elevation of the Czech
Castle as the base of the Přemyslid dynasty. Subsequent to the Přemyslid rise
to rule the city of Prague had become a vital place in Czech Republic – your
tour guide should tell about its valuable location over the river, at the
junction of trading paths.
As your tour guide will explain,
over the course of 300 years Prague has been transformed into a reinforced and
advantaged medieval city. It was through the efforts of the first known Czech
monarch, Prince Bořivoj, that the Castles settlements' great importance was
achieved. While you walk the streets of Prague, have your tour guide tell you
about it becoming a Czech city in the late 1100's. The Old Town of Prague was
first constructed in 1220 and combined with the Lesser Town at the end of the
13th century. Hradčany, the Castle Quarter, had formed as a separate town in
the 14th century.
In 1346 Charles IV began his reign,
and he was in power for 32 years. During this period he brought pronounced
wealth and progress to the Czech capital, as your tour guide will inform you,
and made it into the chief center of the European empire. By that time, the Prague
had become a great Christian city, second in Europe only to Rome. Your tour
guide will lead you through Charles University, founded by Charles IV, as was
New Town established by him in 1348. The legendary stone Charles Bridge was
also built by Charles IV, in 1357, and is worth a stop with your tour guide. By
taking after his father when the former passed, Wenceslas IV transformed Prague
into one of the striking and unique Czech towns, renowned the world over,
completely worthy of the nickname "Rome of the North". The Czech appearance
of Prague stayed the same over the next two centuries.