History of Prague
Latest discoveries shows that the area was populated more than seven thousand years ago. They were later replaced by Celts, Germanic people and in 6th century by Slavic people, who began to settle the area.
According to legend, Prague was founded by Libuše and her husband Přemysl, founder of the Přemysl dynasty, which ruled Bohemia until 1306.
By 10th century the Prague castle and area around it had become to an important trading and cultural centre, where gathered merchants from all over the Europe. In 11th century another settlement was build across the river at Vyšehrad. In 12th century many monasteries and churches were build.
In 13th century towns around Prague castle started to increase in size. The Lesser Town, The Castle District (Hradčany) and across the river The Old Town gained the privilege of town.
In 14th century, during the reign of Charles IV, The Old Town expanded to New Town. Charles IV also founded the first university in central, northern and eastern Europe the Charles University, rebuild Prague Castle and Vyšehrad. He became the Emperor of the Holy Roman Empire and Prague became the capital town and the third largest city in Europe.
During the reign of Charles' son Wenceslas IV, Jan Hus, a theologian and lector at the Charles University, preached about reforming the Church. Having become too dangerous, he was put in trial for heresy and burned. This led to Hussite Wars.
In 16th century the Kingdom of Bohemia was handed over to the House of Habsburg. During the reign of Holy Roman Emperor Rudolf II, Prague become home for many famous people like Tycho Brahe, Johann Kepler and others.
In 1618 the Second Defenestration of Prague started the Thirty Years War. Frederick V took throne, but lost at Battle of White Mountain and 27 Czech landlords were executed. Moreover Prague was occupied by Saxon (1631) and Swedish (1648). After this, Ferdinand II moved court to Vienna and Prague began to decline.
In 1689 Prague suffered from massive fire, but this initialized renovation and rebuilding of the city, which leaded the economic rise. In this times Prague had about quarter of population were Jewish, which made Prague the second largest community of Jewish in Europe.
In 1784 under the rule of Joseph II the four towns of Prague, The Old Town, The New Town, Hradčany (Prague Castle) and The Lesser Town were merged into a single entity.
At the beginning of the 20th century Czech lands were the most productive part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire and some Czech politics began with attempts to separate it from Habsburg empire.
After the World War I Prague became the capital city of Czechoslovakia with highly developed industry.
During the World War II, Czechoslovakia was separated and Bohemia and Moravia became German protectorat and most of the Jews were killed or flet. At the end of the war, Prague suffered several bombing raids, but the damage wasn't so serious compared to other European cities.
After World War II, Prague was under control of Soviet Union and socialism regime. In 1968 many people protested against the regime, which spurred leaders to change in regime. The Soviet Union and it allies responded to this by invading the Czechoslovakia by army and tanks suppressing any attempt to change.
In 1989, after police suppression of peaceful student protest, the Velvet Revolution started in Prague, causing the Communist regime to fall. After separation of Czechoslovakia, Prague became the capital city of Czech Republic. Prague is now modern, one of the Europe most beautiful, city. The historical centre has been listed in the UNESCO list of World Heritage Sites.