In the silence of its waterway, the Vltava flows beneath Charles Bridge in Prague, telling the story of the Czech Republic.
Located in the heart of Europe, the Czech Republic is renowned for its picturesque cities, rich history, and enchanting landscapes.
The first inhabitants of the Czech lands were Celtic tribes who settled in the area during the 4th century BC. During the 1th century, the Celts were replaced by Germanic tribes, and in the 6th century AD, the Slavs settled in the region.
Legend has it that the mythical queen and sybil Libussa foretold the founding of the city of Prague above the cliffs of this vary river with the words: “I see a great city whose glory will touch the stars.”
Prague, the Golden City.
Alongside being the keeper of the flow of the Vltava, Prague is the centre of Czech cultural heritage, art, and architecture.
One of the city’s most famous symbols is the Astronomical Clock (Orloj), the third oldest in the world. This clock continues to fascinate visitors with its intricate mechanism. The Golden Lane and St. Vitus Cathedral are indispensable parts of Prague’s architectural heritage. This cathedral, built in a mix of styles: Gothic, Renaissance, Baroque, and Neo-Gothic, is one of the largest in Europe. Its tower can be seen from all over Prague.
Charles Bridge
This is the oldest and most famous bridge in Prague. It connects the Old Town with the other bank of the Vltava, Malá Strana. The bridge was commissioned by King Charles IV in 1357.
Legend has it that King Charles IV laid the foundation stone on 9 July 1357 at 5:31 am, following the advice of numerologists.
This date and time created a symmetrical number 135797531.
Charles Bridge is 621 metres long and almost ten metres wide. It has 16 arches and is protected by towers on both sides. The bridge is adorned with 30, mainly Baroque, statues. Among them, the most significant is the statue of St. John of Nepomuk, the national saint of the Czech Republic and the protector of rivers, bridges, sailors, fishermen, and miners.
The Czech Republic is a land of art, having given the world painter František Kupka, film director Miloš Forman, and writers Franz Kafka and Milan Kundera.
In addition to the composer of the famous symphony “The Moldau,”(Vltava) Bedřich Smetana, the Czech capital has been home to many great composers like Antonín Dvořák and Leoš Janáček, whose works remain part of the world’s musical heritage.
Czechs hold a deep respect for their cultural heritage, ice hockey, and coffee, which they have been drinking since the 17th century.
The first cafés began to open in Prague at the start of the 18th century, with “Café Slavia,” one of Prague’s most famous café, opening in 1884. The culture of coffee drinking is deeply rooted in Czech society, and cafés are central places for social gatherings, intellectual discussions, and artistic inspiration.
The inspiration that has given us the exhibition of portraits of Czech heroines will be opened at Europe House on 28 June at 10 am as part of the event “Coffee with the Czech Ambassador.” Join us and the Czech Ambassador to Montenegro, Janina Hřebíčková, as we talk about her beautiful country and its wonderful people.