PRAGUEthe mother of cities

Significant objects of the city

• the city is lying in the very heart of Europe

• the capital• a nickname „hundred-

towered“• the seat of the president• a prominent business and

financial centre

Petřín lookout tower

• 60m high• strongly resembled to the Eifel

tower• built in 19th century• used as an observation tower

as well as an transmittion tower

Prague Castle

• the seat of Czech kings, emperors and presidents • Czech crown jewels are kept here• the biggest ancient castle / according Guiness

book /• comes from the 9th century

Charles Bridge

• crosses the Vltava river• originally called the Stone Bridge• decorated by 30 baroque statues• a busy place, attraction for tourists• painters, musicians and owners of kiosks

Old Town Square

• a former market• an Old Town Square

tower with an astronomical clock

• Týn church• a statue of religious

reformer Jan Hus

Old-Town Hall Clock

• Prague orloj • special mechanism to• display astronomical

information-position of the sun, moon, zodiacal constellation

• clock facade decorated by gothic sculptures

• 12 apostles presented at noon

Wenceslas Square

• named after Saint Wenceslas, the patron saint of Bohemia

• formely known as Horse Market / koňský trh /

• business and culture centre• in fact it is a boulevard• the place for

demonstrations,celebrations and other meetings

• street is dominated by the National Museum with Wenceslas Monument

National Theatre

• known as Alma Mater of Czech Opera• evidence of a national identity• the first stone was laid in 1868• a fire destroyed most of it 13 years later• build again and opened in 1883 again

Prague Metro

• underground public transportation network • fastest means of transportation• serves about one and half million passengers a day• the 6th busiest in the world• 57 stations• comprises 3 lines• „A“ line is extending up to Ruzyně Airport

Dancing House

• originally called Ginger and Fred, nickname Drunk house

• designed by Czech and Canadien designer

• non-traditional design was controversial / supported by Václav Havel /

• includes several multinational firms

• the plan for culture purposes were not realized

Prague Zoological Garden

• founded in 1931 with a goal to advance the study of zoology, protect wildlife, educate the public

• in the district Troja• 45 hectares• 4 600 animals• contributed to saving the Przewalski horse• listed as the 7th best in the world

The Žižkov Television Tower

• resembled a rocket launchpad• 216m high, the highest building in Prague• used also as a meteorological observatory• sculptures of crawling babies permanent installed

Petřín lookout tower

• 60m high• strongly resembled to the Eifel

tower• built in 19th century• used as an observation tower

as well as an transmittion tower