Since 1993 Prague is the capital, cultural center and economic engine of the Czech Republic.

As the Vltava runs right through it, Prague sports a total of 18 bridges over this river, the most famous one being the 600 years old Charles Bridge.

 

Prague's history of more than 1000 years is closely intertwined with Bohemia and the city played an important role in the politics and economics of central Europe.

 

Prague was once the imperial capital of the Holy Roman Empire and later the centre of the Habsburg Monarchy.

The city was no stranger to violent religious conflicts: a pogrom in 1389 wiped out the Jewish population,Jan Hus preached here before being burned to the stake and the defenestrations of Prague triggered devastating wars.

 

In 1945 Nazi-occupied Prague was heavily bombed by the US Air Force.

 

Nowadays millions of tourist visit this historic city each year and crowd  Charles Bridge, Prague Castle, Old Town Square and the many other places of interest.

 

We visited Prague in May 2014.