Discount Hotels Prague
Historical interest: Prague
    
Prague has a long and eventful history which began in 870 AD when the first foundations
were laid at Hradcany castle. The first bishopric was founded in 973 AD; but Prague
had to wait until 1234 for the town to spread beyond the castle when the Stare
Mesto (Old Town) was founded.
Prague's golden age began in 1346 when Charles IV became king. The next significant
figure to impact the city was Jan Hus, who in 1403 became the rector of Prague
University and launched a drive for religious reform, before being burnt at
the stake. His death caused religious warfare, which was intensified after Roman
Catholic councillors were hurled to their deaths from the New Town Hall windows,
signalling the First Defenestration.
The Habsburgs gained power in Prague in 1526, and in 1584, the city was made
the imperial court of Rudolf II. However, more Roman Catholics were hurled to
their deaths from the Royal Palace windows in 1618, ushering in the Second Defenestration
and the Thirty Years War across Europe. Prague, however, remained unconquered.
Prague's four towns were united in 1784, and the first waves of nationalism
began soon after, as the Czechs looked to independence from Habsburg rule. However,
the city had to wait until the end of WWI and the break-up of Austria-Hungary
before becoming the capital of Czechoslovakia.
The city's independence did not last long though; in 1939, it became occupied
by the Nazis and was fortunate to avoid widespread destruction when it was 'liberated'
by Soviet troops. There then followed a communist dictatorship which was ruthlessly
enforced by Soviet troops, following the Prague Spring call for reforms in 1968.
During this time it was merged with it's neghbour to form Czechoslovakia. Democracy
was finally restored in 1990, after popular protests which forced the communist
government to resign.
The former playwright, Vaclav Havel, became President, overseeing the break-up
of Czechoslovakia, with Prague becoming the capital of the newly formed Czech
Republic. Prague cemented its international reputation in 2000 by being named
the European City of Culture.
Selection of hotels in this region:
Hotel Olsanka | | Victoria Hotel | | Hotel Anna | | K&K Hotel Central | | Hotel Meteor Plaza | | Quality Hotel Prague | | Riverside Hotel | | The Charles Hotel | | Tulip Inn Prague Terminus | | Ametyst Hotel Prague | | Hotel Atlantic | | Boscolo Hotel Carlo IV | | Dorint Novotel Giovanni Prague | | Ibis Prague Smichov | | Hotel Alton | | Hotel Populus | | Clarion Hotel Prague | | Oya Hotel | | The Golden Gate Hotel | | The Iron Gate Hotel | | Atos Hotel | | Comfort Hotel Prague | | Fortuna Hotel Rhea | | Otar Hotel | | Antik II | | Green Garden Hotel | | Denisa Hotel | | Mucha Hotel | | Grand Hotel | | Apollo Hotel | | Top Hotel | | Esprit Hotel | | Beranek Hotel | | Hotel Neruda | | Roma Hotel | | Caesare Palace | | Seifert Hotel | | Elysee Hotel Prague | | Akcent Hotel | | Le Palais Hotel Prague | | Hotel Alta | | Hotel Andante | | Hotel Ibis Prague City | | Hotel Abri | | Novotel Praha City | | Radisson SAS Alcron | |
Click below for a
full list of hotels and online booking
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