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Praga Mater Urbium
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In Europe there are many beautiful cities, each with its own character. But only Prague, the capital city of the Czech Republic, lies right in its heart. Maybe that is why, of all her descriptions, dominates: "Prague - the mother of cities".
A long history shaped her appearance. She went through periods of maximum development, when she ranked among the biggest and most attractive metropolii of Europe at that time, as well as through periods when she was imposed with the role of a provincial town.
In the romanesque period Prague was brought to unknown splendour by Charles IV (Karel IV.), Roman Emperor and Czech King. He received an excellent education at the French court to which he was related. He took advantage of this for the flourishing of the Czech Kingdom.
In the new gothic style he reconstructed Prague into a magnificant seat of power and as a centre representing the Holy Roman Empire. He established the first Central-European university, initiated the construction of many religious and state buildings and with the founding of the New Town of Prague made her one of the biggest gothic metropolii in Europe at that time.
His great piece of work is admired till the present day. In the 17th century the city was given a new outlook - baroque. The style was applied in such purity, that later it was to be called "Prague Baroque". In the years to come Prague was further embroidered with new renaissance, art nouveau, cubism...
