A guide through Prague,its rich history and heritage - Research Paper Example

?A guide through Prague, its rich history and heritage The scenario of national and international travel and tourism is undergoing rapid change due to the rapid development in transportation and communication facilities. Within this context, travel guides play a vital role because the same provides firsthand experience to those who wish to have deeper understanding of the cultural heritage of world societies. Travel guides are generally considered as the window to the historical and cultural heritage of a society, which is most helpful for international tourists. Within the context of tourism in Czech Republic, Prague has a unique place because Prague is the meeting place of history and cultural heritage. Thesis statement: The travel guide to Prague proves that its rich history and cultural heritage, including historical buildings and significant artifacts, act the role of an innovative medium to exhibit and share its secrets with tourists, especially international tourists (special references to the history of Prague, historical monuments, and significant artifacts). General information: Prague, the capital city of Czech Republic is generally considered as the historical and cultural hub of Central Europe. Besides, Prague is the largest city in Czech Republic, a former communist ally in Europe. The historical importance of Prague includes its status as the capital city of the Kingdom of Bohemia, which was an important kingdom in the Holy Roman Empire. Besides, Prague was an important provincial state in Austrian Empire. So, the socio-political and cultural contexts of central Europe is interconnected with the development of Prague. Geographically, Prague is located in the North-Western side of Czech Republic. The Vltava River flows near to Prague. Pavitt (2000) states that, “The city occupies in the region of 500 square kilometers along the Vltava River, at a point further west than any other capital of ‘eastern’ Europe” (p.7). The people of Prague enjoy temperate oceanic climate. The origin and development of architecture in Prague is interconnected with the development of Romanesque Architecture. One can see that Romanesque Architecture is renowned for its usage of semi-circular arches in buildings. Later, Gothic style of architecture deeply influenced the architecture of Prague. During the Renaissance era, the cultural context of Prague underwent rapid transformation. Besides, Prague was the renowned capital of the Holy Roman Empire in central Europe. On the other side, Prague was an important city during the reign of Habsburg Monarchy. The Austro-Hungarian Empire, which was an alliance between Austrian Empire and the Kingdom of Hungary, provided ample importance to Prague. One can see that the interaction with these empires deeply influenced the cultural context of Prague. During the modern age, especially after the WWI, Prague underwent another change due its position as the capital of Czechoslovakia. On the other side, most of the cities in Europe were destroyed by WWI. But WWI did not hinder cultural change in Prague. Within the context of religion, Protestant Reformation influenced Prague to an extent. For instance, the Protestant believers constructed a number of independent churches in Prague. Besides, the Thirty Years War deeply influenced the political context of Prague. One can see that the Thirty Years War was the end result of the difference in religious belief (Protestants and Roman Catholics) in Europe. Later, this religious conflict in the Central Europe developed into an internal conflict among the major nation states in Central Europe. To be specific, Prague was one of the cities in Central Europe which was influenced by religious and political transformation of Europe. During the time of Communist influence in Europe, Prague accepted the basic elements of Communism. But historical events never hindered the cultural development of Prague. For instance, there are a number of major museums and galleries in Prague, symbolic of the cultural heritage of Central Europe. So, one can easily identify the fact that Prague’s rich history and cultural heritage authorizes Prague to be the historical and cultural hub of Europe and as an international tourist destination. Transportation facilities: Transportation plays an integral role in the growth and development of national and international tourism in Prague. The international flights from and to Prague are operated by national and international airline companies. Within this context, the Vaclav Havel Airport plays the most important role in operating national and international flights. Besides, this airport is situated near to the central area of Prague. Mallows (2007), makes clear that, “The Czech national carrier, CSA, has a regular service to Prague from Newark and Montreal” (p.28). The main airlines that operate flights in Prague include: Czech Airlines (CSA), easyJet, Lufthansa, Delta Air Lines etc. On the other side, Prague boasts excellent transportation by railroad. For instance, Prague railway is linked with other cities in Europe by European EC train network. One can board train to Prague from other European cities like Berlin, Munich, Vienna, Amsterdam, Moscow etc. The Praha station in Prague is the meeting point of all international trains to Prague. But the road network in Prague is still underdeveloped and not much helpful for international tourists. The Florenc bus station is one of the major meeting points of road network in Prague. The South-East and South-West highways connect Prague with other parts of Czech Republic. So, one can see that an international tourist can depend upon the railroad and international flights in Prague. On the other side, road network in Prague is a nightmare due to heavy traffic and poor facilities. History of Prague: The history of Prague can be further divided into Prehistory, Medieval period, Renaissance period, Jewish quarter, and 18th, 19th, 20th centuries. Prehistory: The early inhabitants of Prague were Germanic, Celtic and Slavic tribes. Prehistoric settlement in Prague is interconnected with Paleolithic Age, especially during the development of trade routes in Europe. One can see that Prague was an important region within the trade route in Europe. Still, the first settlers of Prague were Boii tribe, a Celtic tribal group. Besides, the name Vltava River originates from Boii people. Later, a German tribal community named as Marcomanni happened to reach Prague and settled there. Again in the 2nd century, another tribal community named as West Slavs invaded Prague. So, one can see that the prehistory of Prague is interconnected with the amalgamation of a number of tribal groups, primarily Germanic, Celtic and Slavic descendants. Medieval period: The medieval history of Prague is linked with the Premyslid dynasty. During this period, Borivoj Premyslovec constructed a castle in Prague. Thereafter, Prague became the most important region of the Czech rulers. Later, another ruler from the Premyslid dynasty, named as Prince Wenceslas, attempted to create bilateral relationship with other rulers in Europe, especially with the rulers of Saxon dynasty. But the prince was assassinated due to the political turmoil in Prague. Gradually, the Premyslid dynasty became under the direct control of Saxon dynasty. Later, Prague was under the Holy Roman Empire. But this gradual political change did not affect Prague’s status as a trading centre. During the 13th century, Prague developed into a number of settlements and more towns began to flourish in this area. For instance, New Town of Prague was a settlement which flourished in the 13th century. Besides, the Old Town was already a well developed town in Prague. Later, the Luxembourg dynasty took over the control of Prague. Renaissance period: During the Renaissance period, Prague underwent rapid transformation due to the influence of Luxembourg dynasty. New castles, cathedrals, educational institutions, and bridges were built. One can see that Prague’s importance in the central Europe is the primary reason behind the development during the Renaissance period. Within this context, Charles IV’s initiative to transform Prague to a powerful capital city is noteworthy. Mackay (1996) makes clear that, “Charles IV, emperor and king of Bohemia, was responsible for transforming Prague into a splendid imperial capital in the late Gothic style” (p.194). But the later rulers of the Holy Roman Empire proved to be unsuccessful to follow the initiative undertaken by Charles IV. So, one can see that the growth and development of Prague during the Renaissance period is due to the effort undertaken by the rulers who represented the Holy Roman Empire. Jewish quarter: The growth and development of the Jewish community in Prague, during the 17th century is another important episode in the history of Prague. During this time, Judah Loew ben Bezalel’s initiative to uplift the Jewish community helped the Jews in Prague to be in the forefront of development. Besides, the Jewish community provided ample importance to trade and commerce which is interconnected with the development of Prague as a trade centre. Krinsky (1996) makes clear that, “There were originally two separate medieval Jewish settlements in Prague, one on each bank of the Vltava River” (p.169). But in the 18th century, Jews were forced to flee from Prague due to the decision taken by Maria Theresa of Austria. But after three years (say, in the year 1748) most of the Jews were allowed to come back to their hometown. So, the history of Prague is interconnected with the growth and development of Jewish community in Europe. The 18th, 19th, and 20th centuries: During the 18th century, industrial revolution strengthened the economic foundation of Prague. More factories were built and this eventually led to the development in the industrial fields like coal mining. This industrial development resulted in the rapid increase in population and infrastructure development in Prague during the end of the 18th century. During the 19th century, the Holy Roman Empire in Prague came to an end. But this historical incident did not harm Prague’s status as an industrial hub in the Central Europe. Besides, the Czech National Revival movement ignited the spirit of nationality and cultural authenticity in the mainstream society of Prague. During the 20th century, Prague was forced to face the WWI, WWII and the influence of Communism during the Cold War era. The Prague Spring (an incident related to the industrial context of Prague) occurred during the second half of the 20the century. Williams (1997) opines that, “One of the last great debates of the Prague Spring was the dispute during the first half of 1969 over the share of worker representation on the councils and their powers over management” (p.24). But these historical and political changes did not hinder the free flow and transformation of the cultural context of Prague. Historical monuments in Prague The historical monuments in Prague are most attractive to the international tourists because the same is symbolic of the rich history and cultural heritage of Prague. Besides, the historical monuments represent Prague’s acceptance towards change and innovation. The monuments that can be seen in Prague are interconnected with the history of Prague. Within this scenario, some of the most important and attractive monuments are mentioned here. The Prague Castle: The Prague Castle is a historical monument which is related to the Holy Roman Empire. In the modern age, the main offices of the Czech government are situated in Prague Castle. Besides, this castle is biggest among the castles in the world. So, Prague castle’s history is interconnected with the political history of Prague and the same attracts the attention of national and international tourists who are interested in history and architecture. The Vysehrad Castle: The Vysehrad Castle is another historical monument in Prague, related to the history of Prague. This castle is situated near to the Vltava River. Besides, Vysehrad Castle is symbolic of the development of architecture in Prague during 10th century. The general belief in Prague is that this historical building is one among the oldest castles in Prague. In addition, this castle attracts thousands of international tourists who are interested in the history of Prague. The Jubilee Synagogue: The Jubilee Synagogue is another important historical monument in Prague which is related to the development of Jewish community in central Europe. The mastermind behind this synagogue is Wilhelm Stiassny. Besides, this synagogue was constructed during the beginning of the 20th century. Later, this historical monument underwent a number of renovation works. In addition, this synagogue is situated in the Jerusalem Street in Prague. The Church of Our Lady Victorious: The Church of Our Lady Victorious, which is situated in Prague, is famous for the statue named as Infant Jesus of Prague. In the 16th century, a chapel was built in the area, where the Church of Our Lady Victorious is situated now. Later, a larger church dedicated to the Protestant believers was constructed in this area. But in the 17th century, this area including the church became under the Carmelites. Later, in the 18th century, this church became under the direct control of Holy Roman Empire. So, one can see that this historical monument is interconnected with the religious history of Prague. The Municipal House: The Municipal House is an important historical monument and landmark in Prague. Baker (2010) states that, “One of Prague’s most photographed cultural and historical monuments, the Municipal House was built between 1906 and 1911 with money raised by Prague citizens” (p.163). The people of Prague co-operated with the construction of Municipal House by donating money. Besides, the Municipal House was constructed during the beginning of the 20th century and is related to the political history of Prague. Osvald Polivka and Antonin Balsanek are the masterminds behind the architectural beauty and simplicity of this historical monument. Significant artifacts: The most significant artifacts in Prague can be broadly classified into three sections, namely: architectural wonders, museums and modern art. A. Architectural wonders The Charles Bridge: The Charles Bridge, which is built over the Vltava River, is one of the best examples for the growth and development of Architecture in Prague. The King Charles IV started the construction of this bridge. Besides, the construction work was inaugurated during the second half of the 14th century. For centuries, this bridge acted the role of a link between Prague and the adjacent areas. Earlier, this bridge was called as Prague Bridge and later it was renamed as Charles Bridge. The bridge towers and arches are symbolic of the development of Gothic style architecture in Prague. Pole (2007) states that, “The city of thousand spires is a stunning amalgamation of hundreds of years of architecture, from narrow, medieval streets, through Baroque, neo Renaissance, Art Nouveau and Art Deco, culminating cutting-edge modern design” (p.8). On the other side, the statues and other types of decorative works on the bridge are symbolic of the influence of Baroque style of architecture. The Powder Tower: The Powder Tower is an architectural wonder which attracts international tourists. One can see that this tower is symbolic of the influence of Gothic style of Architecture in central Europe. Burton (2003) makes clear that, “For many first-time visitors of Prague, the experience of the city’s Gothic and Baroque architecture is so utterly compelling that they fail simply to register that Prague is also one of Europe’s greatest centers of the Art Nouveau and modernist styles” (p.136). Besides, the Powder Tower is an important landmark in Prague. This tower was built during the second half of the 15th century. The primary aim of this tower was to connect the town with the royal palace. But when the construction work was completed, the royal palace was relocated to Prague Castle. So, Powder Tower is linked with the history of the development of kingdoms in Prague. In short, the Powder Tower is symbolic of the remaining architectural wonders in central Europe. The Clam-Gallas Palace: The Clam-Gallas Palace represents the development and influence of Baroque style of architecture in Prague. Besides, this architectural wonder is situated in an important area in Prague, i.e. on Hysova Street. The person who designed this palace was Johann Bernhard Fischer von Erlach, a native of Vienna. This palace was constructed during the beginning of the 18th century. In addition, Domenico Canevale is the mastermind behind the architectural work of this palace. At the same time, this palace is renowned for the interest of the people of Prague in music. For instance, world renowned musicians and composers like Beethoven conducted musical performances at this palace. In the beginning, this palace was under the control of Gallas family. Later, this palace was inherited by Clam-Gallas family, and was renamed as Clam-Gallas Palace. B. Museums and galleries One of the reasons behind the influx of international tourists to Prague is the museums and art galleries. These museums and art galleries preserve historically important objects and artifacts related to the rich cultural heritage of Prague. Some of the most important museums and art galleries in Prague include: the National Gallery, the Jewish Museum, and the Prague City Gallery. The National Gallery: The National Gallery in Prague is an art gallery under the direct control of the government in Prague. The gallery is divided into sub-sections and located in different areas of Prague. This art gallery was constructed during the end of the 18th century. Besides, the sub-sections of the art gallery display artifacts related to fine arts, modern art, and paintings. Porter (2010) makes clear that, “The jewel in the National Gallery crown the gallery at Sternberg Palace ,adjacent to the main gate of Prague Castle, displays a wide menu of European art throughout the ages” (p.161). The St George's Convent, House of the Black Madonna and Sternberk Palace are some of the sub-sections of the National Gallery in Prague where the artworks are displayed. For instance, the old masters section include works related to Middle Ages, Baroque style etc. The 19th century art section at the National Gallery includes the art which flourished in Bohemia during the 19th century. In addition, the collection of artworks at the National Gallery in Prague includes the works by Picasso, and Van Gogh. The Jewish Museum: The Jewish Museum, which is situated in Prague, is symbolic of the rich cultural heritage of Jews in central Europe, especially in Czech Republic. This museum was constructed during the beginning of the 20th century. Gruber (2002) states that, “Several former synagogues served as exhibition halls for the State Jewish Museum in Prague, and the Renaissance synagogue in the Moravian town of Holesov was renovated in the early 1960s as a branch of the Prague museum” (p.77). The primary aim behind the construction of this museum was to preserve the artworks at different synagogues in this area. Later, more and more artifacts were added to the collection at the Jewish Museum. The Memorial Hall at the museum is an important section because it displays the hardships faced by children during the time of war. Prague City Gallery The Prague City Gallery is renowned for its temporary exhibitions. One can see that the collection at this gallery include individual works by prominent artists. This gallery was founded during the second half of the 20th century. Besides, this gallery provides ample importance to the artworks from the 19th, 20th centuries. For instance, the Troja Castle under the Prague City Gallery represents the artworks during the 19th century. The Prague City Gallery is responsible for the preservation of artworks in the public places in Prague. So, the Prague City Gallery is generally considered as an important attraction within the context of museums and art galleries in Prague. C. Modern art The museums and art galleries in Prague provide ample importance to modern art. One can see that modern art revolutionized the context of art. Within this context, the museums and art galleries in Prague attract the international tourists because the same represent the transformation of art in central Europe. Some of the most important museums and art galleries related to modern art in Prague, like Artbanka Museum of Young Art, DOX Centre for Contemporary Art, and Jaroslav Fragner Gallery are mentioned here. Artbanka Museum of Young Art: The Artbanka Museum of Young Art is an important museum in Prague which provides ample importance to the artistic creativity of the artists in the Czech Republic. To be specific, this museum represents the development of contemporary art in Czech Republic. Paces (2009) opines that, “In Prague, though, modern artists sought to marry these divergent trends, embracing new artistic styles for their nationalist commissions and creating unique, modern styles to commemorate the nation’s past” (p.57). The collection of artworks at this museum includes the works by the artists who revolutionized Czech art during the second half of the 20th century. This museum is situated in Karlova Street, Prague, which attracts thousands of international tourists. As pointed out, the primary aim of this museum is noteworthy because this museum is fully dedicated to the development of contemporary art in central Europe. During the communist rule in Czech Republic (Czechoslovakia), this museum underwent renovation work and later it was opened to the public. DOX Centre for Contemporary Art: DOX - Centre for Contemporary Art in Prague is an initiative to create awareness on the development of contemporary art in a wider context. This arts centre was opened in the year 2008, in Holesovice. Atkinson (2010) makes clear that, “The recently-opened DOX Centre for Contemporary Art is a stunning companion piece to the modern art collection of the nearby Veletrzni Palace, one of the city’s truly impressive galleries” (p.130). The building (a former factory) is symbolic of the development of industrialization in Prague. The exhibitions at the DOX Centre for Contemporary Art attract the international tourists who visit Prague. Besides, the transformation of DOX from a factory to an exhibition space is really amazing. Jaroslav Fragner Gallery: The Jaroslav Fragner Gallery is symbolic of the importance given by the Prague authorities to contemporary architecture. To be specific, this gallery provides ample importance to the amalgamation of art and architecture. Those who are interested in art and architecture can visit this gallery and can have deeper understanding of the innovation in the field of architecture. At the same time, this gallery is situated in Old Town, one of the important areas in Prague. The master mind behind this gallery is Jaroslav Fragner, a prominent architect from Czech Republic. In addition, this galley connects international tourists with the initiatives put forth by the architects in Czech Republic. Summing up, the historical worth and cultural heritage of Prague within the historical and cultural contexts of Central Europe is most helpful for Prague to be in the forefront of international travel and tourism. At the same time, the cultural history of central Europe is interconnected with Prague. When most of the European towns and cities were forced to face the consequences of WWI and WWII, Prague was safe from the same. During the Cold War, Prague underwent rapid change due to the influence of Communism. On the other side, the political history of Prague is linked with a number of kingdoms in the central Europe. But cultural and political change did not harm the historical buildings and significant artifacts in Prague. Instead, Prague’s acceptance towards change and the tendency to amalgamate past with present is one among the reasons behind its popularity as an important tourist destination in central Europe. References Atkinson, B. (2010). Prague Encounter. Oakland, CA: Lonely Planet. Burton, R.D.E. (2003). Prague: A Cultural and Literary History. Oxford, UK: Signal Books. Baker, M. (2010). Frommer's Prague & the Best of the Czech Republic. Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons. Gruber, R.E. (2002). Virtually Jewish: Reinventing Jewish Culture in Europe. California, CA: University of California Press. Krinsky, C.H. (1996). Synagogues of Europe: Architecture, History, Meaning. Mineola, NY: Courier Dover Publications. Mallows, L. (2007). Slovakia: The Bradt Travel Guide. Connecticut, US: Bradt Travel Guides. Mackay, A. (1996). Atlas of Medieval Europe. New York, NY: Routledge. Pole, T.C. (2007). Hedonist's Guide To Prague 1st Edition. London, UK: A Hedonist's guide to. Porter, D. (2010). Frommer's Europe. Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons. Paces, C. (2009). Prague Panoramas: National Memory and Sacred Space in the Twentieth Century. Pittsburgh, US: University of Pittsburgh Pre. Pavitt, J. (2000). Prague. Manchester, UK: Manchester University Press. Williams, K. (1997). The Prague Spring and its Aftermath: Czechoslovak Politics, 1968-1970. New York, NY: Cambridge University Press. Read More