THE WORLD AROUND US
 
Prague, Czech Republic – The Golden City (In Czech)      
Today’s The World Around Us will be presented in Czech, with subtitles in Arabic, Aulacese (Vietnamese), Chinese, English, French, German, Indonesian, Japanese, Korean, Malay, Persian, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish, Italian, and Thai.

Enlightened viewers, welcome to today's episode of The World Around Us. Prague, the capital of Czech Republic, is one of the most beautiful cities in central Europe. Situated on the Vltava River, the city of Prague is also known as Zlatá Praha (Golden Prague) and is inhabited by approximately 1.3 million people.

Historically, Prague was the capital of the Holy Roman Empire during the reign of two Roman Emperors, Charles IV of the new Luxembourg dynasty in 1355 and Rudolf II, the elected King of Bohemia in 1576.

Most of the fascinating buildings and baroque architecture that exist today were built in large part during the reign of Charles IV. Besides being the center of political, social, economical and cultural activity, the city of Prague also played an important role in the development of Christianity during the Middle Ages in central Europe.

According to legend, the city of Prague was founded around the year 885 by Princess Libuše and her husband Premysl, founder of the Premyslid dynasty. It is believed that Princess Libuše reigned from the fortress of Vyšehrad, which is one of the most important historical sites in Prague.

The history of Prague begins at Vyšehrad, one of the two Prague castles. The Bohemian princess, Princess Libuse protected the glory of Prague from here. The period of greatest fame of Vyšehrad came during the rule of Charles IV, when its premises included 14 churches. In the middle of the 17th century, the castle was changed into a citadel, forming part of Prague's new fortification system. The strong and immense structure of Vyšehrad is the church of St. Peter and Paul.

Originally Romanesque, it was reconstructed in Gothic style by Czech King Charles the IV. It acquired its present neo-gothic appearance during the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries. The oldest structure of Vyšehrad is the Saint Martin rotunda, dated probably from the end of the 11th century and renovated in 1878. This type of round chapel with an apse was originally designed as the court sanctuary of Princess Castle. Now it is the only intact part of Romanesque Vyšehrad.

At Vyšehrad is also the most meaningful Prague cemetery called “Slavin” where many of the Czech nation’s greatest cultural personalities have been laid to rest.

One of most popular historical sites in Prague is the Prague Castle. With a length of about 570 meters, and average width of 128 meters, the Prague castle holds a Guinness records as being the largest ancient castle in the world.

For many centuries it was the official residence and seat of the Bohemian Kings, Holy Roman Emperors and the Czech rulers. Due to reconstructions by many rulers at different times, the Prague Castle shares a mixture of the 12th century Romanesque style, 14th century Gothic style, and the 15th century Renaissance style of architectures.

Prague Castle, according to legend, was founded by Princess Libuse, but Archeologists maintain that it originated in the 6th century as a Bohemian border fortification. It entered into history in the second half of the 9th century when Prince Borivoj founded on that site, the first Christian church in Prague.

The castle became the main seat of the Bohemian Přemyslids, the Czech tribes ruling family. In 1135, during the reign of Sobeslav I, the castle acquired new fortifications with two entrance towers. The eastern one called "The Black Tower" still stands today.

Prague was established as bishopric in the year 973. The St. Vitus’s Cathedral, located within the Prague Castle, is a Roman Catholic cathedral and was built by Charles the 4th after Prague was elevated to an archbishopric in 1344. The St. Vitus’s Cathedral is the biggest and the most important church of the Czech Republic. It also contains the tombs of many Bohemian Kings including Rudolf II. who was also the Holy Roman Emperor during the 16th century.

Viewing St. Vitus’s Cathedral from the castle courtyard is an unforgettable experience and makes many tourists return to see Prague again. The construction of the present cathedral was ordered by Emperor Charles IV, who made the decision after the Bishop of Prague had been elevated to Archbishop in 1344.

The Cathedral’s eastern side is the work of Mathias of Arras and Peter Parler. And the western side of the Cathedral was completed in the years 1860 until 1929, mainly by architects Joseph Mocker and Kamil Hilbert. This cathedral is one of the most outstanding structures in Europe. The cathedral’s nave is 124 meters long, 60 meters wide and 38 meters high. The main tower is nearly 100 meters high.

Our visit to the historical city of Prague in the Czech Republic continues when we return. Please stay tuned to Supreme Master Television.

Welcome back to The World Around Us as we visit the historical city of Prague, capital of the Czech Republic.

One of the most beautiful attractions of Prague Castle is Golden Lane. It's houses whose color shine brightly in the sunlight awaken the curiosity of visitors and the wish to peep just for a moment into medieval life at Prague Castle. The narrow Golden Lane of Prague Castle was renamed after the goldsmiths who have been living in the houses that were once inhabited by the guards of Emperor Rudolph II.

The 520-meter-long famous Gothic Charles Bridge, constructed by Charles IV, is a historical bridge that runs over the Vltava River. This bridge served as an important connection between Eastern and Western Europe for more than six centuries. Because of its original Construction from Bohemian sandstone, it was also called the Stone Bridge or the Prague Bridge.

In 932, the bridge was only a wooden structure. During the reign of King Vladislav I, a new bridge was built. It was the second oldest stone bridge in Central Europe, bearing the name of Queen Judith. After it was damaged by flood in 1342, Charles IV had a new stone bridge built by only 27-year-old Peter Parler and his workshop.

Construction work was started in 1357 and the bridge, today called "The Charles Bridge," was finished before the end of the 14th century. A few years ago, all traffic was prohibited across the Charles Bridge. Pedestrians are absolutely safe there and tourists find themselves in a photographer's paradise.

The bridge is 520 meters long and 10 meters wide and it's made of sandstone blocks. It introduces us to one of Europe's most beautiful art galleries displayed in the form of 30 statutes and groups of statuaries dating from 1683 until 1714.

Located in the historic Old Town of Prague between the Charles Bridge and the Wensesla´s Square is the Old Town Square. The Old Town Square contains many famous historic sites like Tyn Cathedral, St. Nicholas Church, and the Prague Astronomical Clock.

Old Town Square, the center of Prague's historical old town quarter and one of the city’s most remarkable areas, ranks next to the castle in terms of historical importance. Perhaps Prague's main attraction is the old town astronomical clock on the Old Town hall Tower.

This masterpiece accomplished by clock Master Hanus in 1490 was damaged in 1945, but has been repaired and it's now again in full working order. Every hour, throngs of people gather to watch the succession of apostles.

The Old Town Square is a huge asymmetrical quadratic area of 9,000 square meters with buildings on all four sides. These buildings reflect the century old development of the Square and entire city. The main structure is the Tyn Church whose towers are a colossal 80 meters high. The northwestern part of the Square is dominated by the Baroque Church of St. Nicholas built in the first half of the 18th century.

Named after the Saint Wenceslas, who was the Prince of Bohemia at around 907 and the main patron saint of the Czech Republic, the Wenceslas Square is yet another historic center of Prague. It is also the main cultural and commercial city center in the New Town area of Prague.

Wenceslas Square, Prague's main boulevard, is three quarters of a kilometer long and 60 meters wide. It is the city’s center of traffic, shopping and social activities, and also the site of the largest public manifestations of Czech national, political and cultural life. The Square's upper end is enclosed by the National Museum. At the top end stands Myslbek´s statute of St. Wenceslas dating from 1912.

The city of Prague has treasured the legacy of history, art and architecture for the past 1,100 years and is one of the most famous tourist destinations in Europe. Due to its historical importance, the Historic Center of Prague was enlisted as a World Heritage site since 1992 by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization. May the beautiful city of Prague and her people flourish, watched over by St. Wenceslas and graced by Heaven.

It’s been a pleasure having you with us as we explored the historic city of Prague, Czech Republic on today’s The World Around Us. Up next is Words of Wisdom, right after Noteworthy News, here on Supreme Master Television. Wishing you and your loved ones blessed days in the Divine’s presence.

Two-time Grammy nominated Mr. Rahim AlHaj is one of the finest oud musicians of our time.

Iraqi music is so sacred; it's so soulful, because it has to come with your heart.

He composes for the world’s oldest stringed instrument with sounds across cultures, to unite humankind.

It’s for oud and string quartet, so I’m the oud; you are the string quartet.

We have the same music. You have seven notes and I have seven notes. And let's share whatever we have to make the world a better place to live.

Watch “From Iraq to the World – Rahim AlHaj,” Friday June 11, on Enlightening Entertainment.

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