When something seems peaceful, we usually remember it by different names. Defining serene creatures by their impact on people feels satisfactory because of cherishing them. The architectural styles of the space or building determine its beauty. The city’s pride is likely to be defined by its infrastructure, like an author’s pride is defined by its influence on readers. Now in the observance, it is time to witness such one city known for its architectural styles that is the Prague pride.
Defining the skyline- Infrastructure of Prague city | Prague Pride
Prague is the capital city of the Czech Republic and one of the most prominent and well-known cultural, historical, and economic hubs of Europe. Not only this, in terms of infrastructure, the architectural styles of the city have appropriately defined the outlook. Prague city considered to be a museum of buildings under the open sky. Nothing to wonder about- it is clear from the scenic views. The capital is familiar to visitors by distinct names based on its fabulous features.
To complement the cathedrals and buildings with the spires-pyramidical towers-Prague city has been known as a ‘city of 100 spires.’ Titled as per the count of spires in the 19th century. The count is estimated by the Prague Information Service at 500 recently.
Further, the city is the mother of all cities. It is supposed that city was not built or raised but was there from the beginning. Whether in early ages or tropical times, Prague has acted as a governing city, finance, or supporting center to develop state boundaries.
Not particularly this but further presented as Mini Europe. It has several architectural styles- Gothic, classical, Romanesque, and Renaissance- which seem like all European architectural styles come together in one place.
Isn’t it sound interesting? How a city had made its impact out of its cultural or historical values. It is appropriate to describe that the city is a treasure for students and architects to experience the vastness of architecture in one place.
The outline viewed from the top of the city is unique and different from other cities. When we talk about the skyline, we usually mean high-rise buildings, skyscrapers, or modern structures. Then there is a skyline of buildings with spires, cathedrals, and historical styles in the Czech Republic. As illustrated, the capital possesses infrastructure with an amalgam of diverse European architectural styles, whereas it noted that the city does not have modern high-rise structures. After the completion of early ages, some high-rise structures developed far away from the city center.
Eternal Beauty- a journey from past to the present | Prague Pride
People, culture, history, and buildings make a city a space to be remembered by everyone. Eye-catching views are what we crave to look at while traveling. Prague is a picture-decent place for sure, but a theory comes to mind; how, in the world of modernism and hi-tech skyscrapers, low-rise buildings with historical styles be the pride of Prague?
The lights and shadows of twelve centuries have passed over Prague, but the city, thirty times as large as in Charles’s time, still ranks among the most inviting cultural and artistic points on the map of Europe.
The buildings, bridges, and plazas that were standing rigid in past ages are maintained and restored in a way that it is a delight for people to claim such ethereal structures as the pride of Prague city.
It has been observed for decades that each year millions of people visit the capital to admire the architecture of the historical places. Over the ages, the most attractive and visited sites include Prague Castle, the Cathedral of St Vitus, Charles Bridge, and the astronomical clock on Old Town Square.
During 14th to 18th centuries, rulers and emperors developed the old town with their assistance for the further development of Prague. Charles IV made a significant contribution to the growth of the city. He ordered the construction of Charles bridge, a giant Gothic Saint Vitus cathedral, and laid plans for a new town which elevated Prague into an imperial capital.
Prague- Old Town lies on the East side of the Vltava River, and the neighborhood known as Lesser Town lies across the river. The construction of Charles bridge happened after the old bridge got damaged by flooding. The bridge is also incredible because it miraculously survived all of the warfare that plagued Europe.
Yet another fascinating place in Prague is St. Vitus cathedral. It is one of the archetypal and greatest cathedrals in the Czech Republic, as it took ten centuries to cast the framework; we look at now. The gothic features of the cathedral include copper cladding spire towers and onion domes at the corners contrasting with giant ornamental features of gothic architecture. The other alluring element of this cathedral was the colorful stained glass windows designed by Czech painter Alphonse Mucha. These were the rarest and most iconic features of any building in the 20th century.
This view of the cathedral can evidence the intricacy of ornamentation and details included in the architectural elements. And that was the reason behind the iconic title of Prague as a city of spires.
Prague castle is another architectural gem of Prague that astonishes the skyline of the city. It involved various buildings established during the early ages as palaces, churches, offices, fortifications, courtyards, and gardens in Prague, covering approximately 110 acres (45 hectares). Earlier, the castle was erected for the King of Bohemia during the 9th century in Romanesque style and is now the executive headquarters of the Czech president.
The old royal castle includes Vladislav Hall, designed by architect Benedikt Ried. It shows both late Gothic and Renaissance architectural features. Whereas in the late 16th and 17th centuries, the new royal castle takes place that houses Czech government offices, a Throne room, a Spanish hall, and other grand chambers to host official ceremonies. Just north of the walled sector of the castle is Golden Lane, a lane of row houses formerly developed for royal alchemists and other castle servants.
Turning the wheels to the present time, not particularly these historical structures but Prague further amounted to modern buildings like the Dancing house created by the Croatian-Czech architect Vlado Milunić in cooperation with Canadian-American architect Frank Gehry. There are many other buildings established on the outskirts.
End of the discussion | Prague Pride
Historical architecture dominates the new-age buildings when it turns to an outlook that describes the city. After learning about the capital, One must say the skyline of Prague shows the cultural and historical aspects of the past to the visitors.
Despite the architectural qualities of the capital, there is one part that needs recognition. No doubt that the architecture of Prague attracts visitors from around the world every year, and these historical places have contributed a lot to developing the financial stability of the capital. But research shows that the town has lost its locality as people started moving out from the city due to its increasing rentals. They believe that; there are not many lodges, households, or modernized resources that can serve them with employment to survive, and the people visiting to explore are not adequate for all kinds of workers.
Prague has maintained its cultural and historical values to sustain its place as a heritage city under UNESCO for the last 25 years. All we can conclude is-
Historical past to the present asset was the great ride,
Skyline emerged in the world as Prague’s pride.
External references:
Expert, L. (2021) Prague – the mother of cities, Prague Guide. Available at: https://www.prague-guide.co.uk/prague-the-mother-of-cities/ (Accessed: December 28, 2022).
Prague – an architectural gem in the heart of Europe (2022) Radio Prague International. Available at: https://english.radio.cz/prague-architectural-gem-heart-europe-8175775 (Accessed: December 28, 2022).
Rcarney (2022) Architecture of Prague, Czech Republic, Architecture of Cities. Available at: https://architectureofcities.com/prague (Accessed: December 28, 2022).
Prague castle (no date) Encyclopædia Britannica. Encyclopædia Britannica, inc. Available at: https://www.britannica.com/place/Prague-Castle (Accessed: December 28, 2022).
