Prague & Bratislava Guide
Prague, Czech Republic
Prague is the capital and largest city of the Czech Republic. Its population is about 1.2 million people. The city is situated along both banks of the Vltava River. The city has traditionally been one of the principal intellectual and artistic centers of central Europe.
Its brilliant cultural life declined during the period of Communist rule (1948-89) but experienced a revival with the restoration of democratic government in December 1989. Prague is the political, administrative, financial, and commercial heart of the Czech Republic.
The importance of the theater in Praque is symbolized by the fact that it was a playwright, Vaclav Havel, who led the fight to overthrow Communism in 1989. Music has played an equally prominent role in Prague's tradition. It has two major orchestras-the Prague Symphony and the Czech Philharmonic, with its distinguished conductor, Vaclav Neumann. The annual Prague Spring Music Festival is world renowned. The largest of its many art galleries and museums is the National Museum, founded in 1818. The city has nine institutions of higher learning, including the prestigious Charles University (1348), the oldest in central Europe. The writers Franz Kafka and Jaroslav Hasek, who lived in Prague, epitomize for many the spiritual character of the city.
Dating from medieval times, the old center of Prague consists of five sectors. The Old Town, the New Town, and the Josefov (once a Jewish ghetto) are on the eastern bank of the river. Located on the western bank are the Lesser Quarter and the Hradcany, which surround the majestic complex of Hradcany Castle--former residence of the Czech kings and since 1918 the seat of Czechoslovakia's presidents. The oldest of the bridges spanning the Vltava is the Charles Bridge, begun in 1347.
Despite gradual modernization, Old Prague has retained much of its original appearance, with narrow streets and many historic buildings in the Gothic and baroque styles. Palaces of the old nobility now house government offices and embassies. Prague suffered little damage in World War II and has about 1,700 officially designated historic monuments.
Other noteworthy sights of Prague: Jewish Cemetery, Parisian Street, Wencels Square.
Prague Hotels
Bratislava, Slovak Republik
Bratislava is the capital and largest city of Slovakia. Officially, the population of the city is about 430,000; however, it is estimated to be more than 660,000 - approximately 150% of the official figures. Bratislava is in southwestern Slovakia at the foot of the Little Carpathians, occupying both banks of the River Danube and the left bank of the River Morava. Bordering Austria and Hungary, it is the only national capital that borders two sovereign states.
The city's history has been influenced by people of many nations and religions, including Austrians, Bulgarians, Croats, Czechs, Germans, Hungarians, Jews, Serbs and Slovaks. It was the coronation site and legislative center and capital of the Kingdom of Hungary from 1536 to 1783; eleven Hungarian kings and eight queens were crowned in St. Martin's Cathedral. Most Hungarian parliament assemblies were held here from the 17th century until the Hungarian Reform Era, and the city has been home to many Hungarian, German and Slovak historical figures.
Today Bratislava is the political, cultural and economic centre of Slovakia. It is the seat of the Slovak president, the parliament and the Slovak Executive. It has several universities, and many museums, theatres, galleries and other cultural and educational institutions. Many of Slovakia's large businesses and financial institutions have headquarters there.
Bratislava Hotels
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