Frequently near the top of many a 'best man', Prague is often known more for stag trips than for it's architectural beauty which exists today due to Prague managing to escape the mass destruction which many other European cities experienced during the 20th century. In fact much of the historic centre of Prague is listed as UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Positioned in the centre of Europe, Prague has a rich history. Being on the route of the great migrations at the end of the Roman Empire in the 5th century AD, the Slavs who settled around here noticed a tall hill which would be ideal for defence and constructed a fortified settlement on the top in the 8th century. Near the end of the 8th century a castle would be built whose stonework can be found in Prague Castle today. Prague became the capital of the Kingdom of Bohemia and was a royal favourite of several Holy Roman Emperors, particularly Charles IV whose bridge which he personally started bullding in 1357 has his name. Prague continued in importance to the Habsburg Monachy and the Austro-Hungarian Empire.
Prague escaped any damage during World War 1, and as the Austro-Hungarian Empire dissolved at the end of the war Prague emerged as the capital of the new country of Czechoslovakia.
Occupied by Nazi Germany in World War 2, the city escaped with minor damage and for that reason, the Prague we see today is the accumulated beauty of centuries of building and the funding associated with being the centre of administrative power.
