"Prague doesn't let go. This little mother has claws." – Franz Kafka
"I see a great city whose glory will touch the stars." "And because even the great noblemen must bow low before a threshold, you shall give it the name Praha". – Princess Libuse, the founder of Prague (7th century)

The city of Prague, which was seldom visited by tourists before 1989, is now one of the most popular destinations in Europe. In recent years, foreigners have flocked to Prague, which has been dubbed the "sleeper" of Europe's post-Cold War cities.

Since the 9th century, when the first settlements began to expand from Hradcany Castle and Vysehrad Fortress, Prague has developed as an architectural jewel. No other European city can boast such a heady concentration of styles - Gothic, Renaissance, Baroque, Art Nouveau, and Czech Modern. Prague's magnificent profile, silhouetted against a bright morning or twilight sky, resembles a vast fairy tale panorama. The city was noted for its opeulent architecture as early as the 13th century, when the city was merely the capital of medieval Bohemia. By the 14th century, Prague had become the capital of the Holy Roman Empire and was the third largest city in Europe after Rome and Constantinople. The following century Prague embarked on almost 400 years under the rule of the Hapsburg dynasty. Prague's Renaissance and Baroque architectural masterpieces, such as the Wallenstein Palace, Charles Bridge and the Belvedere Summer Palace, date from this period.

Modern Prague coexists with the historic city to create a dynamic commercial and artistic culture. Not only is it one of the most beautiful capital cities on the planet, it is also a major world political, intellectual, artistic, scientific and cultural centre. Little wonder that Prague attracts visitors from across the globe!

The historic city centre is a living museum of outstanding architectural beauty. There is much to see and do here. The sights include Prague's Old Town and its Renaissance "Small Town", Hradcany and Vysehrad castles, Europe's oldest Jewish ghetto; the famed Charles Bridge; the Bertramka Museum where Mozart lived and the Brevnov monastery.

You can keep yourself occupied here listening to classical music in historic churches, watching the fantastic performances at the Black Theatre, or strolling the magical narrow streets. You can take a boat trip along the river and gaze at Prague's majestic embankments. Or you can while away the time drinking Czech beer, considered by connoisseurs to be the best in the world; eating pork leg in one of the many fine restaurants and cafes; shopping for the famous Czech cut glass or simply relaxing and enjoying the absolute harmony of this unique European city.