Page 26 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Prague

24  INTRODUCING PR A GUE

Early Medieval Prague

Prague Castle steadily grew in importance from the beginning
of the 9th century onwards. Prone to frequent fires, its wooden
buildings were gradually replaced by stone and the area
developed into a sturdy Romanesque fortress with a palace
and religious buildings. Clustered around the original outer
bailey was an area inhabited by skilled craftsmen and German
merchants, encouraged to come and stay in Prague by Vladislav II Extent of the City
and, later, Přemysl Otakar II. This came to be known as the “Little 1230 Today
Quarter” and achieved town status in 1257. It was joined to the
Old Town by a bridge, known as the Judith Bridge. St George’s Convent and
Basilica (see p100)
Decorative Comb
This ornate, bone, fine-toothed comb The Prince’s Palace
was one of the relics of St Adalbert. grew into the Old Royal
Palace (see pp106–107).
St Vitus’s Basilica
The White Tower and Chapter House
gave access from (see pp102–105) Entrance from
the west. Old Town

Prague Castle
in 1230
Sited on a high ridge, the
Romanesque fortress had
protective stone walls and Site of
easily guarded gates. Hradčany
Square
External
staircase

Living room
Vaulted Romanesque
ceiling Stone House
These three-storeyed Stone houses were built on
houses were based what is now Nerudova Street
Ground around a very in the Little Quarter (see p130).
floor simple floor plan.
1040 St Adalbert’s 1110 Small 1140 Strahov
remains brought 1092–1110 Reign German set- Monastery
to Prague of Bretislav II founded
tlement in
1091 Old Town marketplace Prague
first mentioned by travellers
1050 1100 1150
1070 Vyšehrad becomes tempo-
rary seat of Czech princes 1091 Great fire 1110–20 Reign
at Prague Castle of Bořivoj II
St Adalbert with a 1085 Vratislav I becomes
martyr’s palm frond first King of Bohemia 1135 Seat of Czech princes moves
from Vyšehrad to Prague Castle

024-025_EW_Prague.indd 24 20/03/17 11:27 am
Eyewitness Travel LAYERS PRINTED:
Starsight history template “UK” LAYER
(Source v1)
Date 26th July 2012
Size 125mm x 217mm