The History of Prague

Prague is a city of music, art, theatre, history, and beauty. My favorite part of the city is Mala strana. Its cobbled streets twist and wind their way up the hill revealing secluded courtyards, ivy-covered stone walls, tiny doors, statues, and ornate wall plaques. One can spend hours taking in the architecture thinking of the centuries through which the houses have survived, their occupants who witnessed momentous occasions both tragic and wonderful.

Prague, city, capital of the Czech Republic. The city has a rich architectural heritage that reflects both the uncertain currents of history in Bohemia and an urban life. Around the core is a mixed zone of industrial and residential areas, containing about half the city’s population and nearly half its jobs. Surrounding this area is the outer city development zone, and beyond this is yet another zone of development containing new industrial areas, parks and recreation areas, and sports facilities. There is an agricultural land and open countryside, where farms and market gardening projects satisfy Prague’s demand for food. There is a small Slovak community, but the overwhelming majority of residents are Czechs. Industry is the largest employer, followed by commerce, construction, education, culture, administration, and transport and communications. Prague has a renowned and active musical life, which reaches a high point each year in the internationally known spring music festival. There are also many museums and galleries, and a Palace of Culture was completed in 1981. The stock market opened for the first time since World War II, the city was modernized, and it became a major tourist destination.