PRAGUE

Prague is a city of unusual beauty. It is a natural amphitheatre through which the Vltava River flows, filled with a thousand years' worth of manmade structures with aspirations greater than simply satisfying basic human needs. Its prime, yet sensitive, location in the heart of Europe is at the confluence of trade routes, political interests, and cultural influences. While this has never assured the city of a peaceful history, it has certainly guaranteed it an eventful one.

Prague's history is one written by fire and sword, as well as by pen, paintbrush, chisel, carpenter's axe, and stonemason's trowel. As a reference point in the classification of cityscapes, Prague is often likened to Rome. In the sense that both cities are ageless, this is a suitable comparison.

In the Middle Ages, Hussite heresy originated in Prague. For some time, this unbalanced the world and its apprehensions, the benevolence of the Madonna, as well as Charles IV's daring plans to make Prague the focal point of centralised European long-distance trade via converging roads and river routes, connecting the Danube with the Vltava. He was also determined to make the city the heart of Europe's spiritual and intellectual life.