Page 28 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Prague

26  INTRODUCING PR A GUE

Prague’s Golden Age

In the late Middle Ages, Prague attained the height of its glory.
The Holy Roman Emperor Charles IV chose Prague as his Imperial
residence and set out to make the city the most magnificent in
Europe. He founded a university (the Carolinum) and built many
fine churches and monasteries in the Gothic style. Of major
importance were his town-planning schemes, such as the
reconstruction of Prague Castle, the building of a new stone Extent of the City
bridge to replace the Judith Bridge, and the foundation of a 1350 Today
new quarter, the New Town. A devout Catholic, he owned
a large collection of relics which were kept, along with the Charles IV
Crown Jewels, at Karlštejn Castle (see p169). wears the Imperial
crown, set with
sapphires, rubies
St Wenceslas Chapel and pearls.
Proud of his direct descent from
the Přemyslids, Charles had this
shrine to St Wenceslas built in
St Vitus’s Cathedral (see pp102–105).

The Emperor
places the piece
of the cross in
its reliquary.

St Wenceslas Crown
Worn by Charles at his coronation
in 1347, the Bohemian crown was
based on early Přemyslid insignia.

1280 Old-New Synagogue 1338 John of Luxemburg gives permission 1348 Charles IV
completed in Gothic style to Old Town to build a town hall founds Charles
Town Hall, Old 1333 Charles IV makes University
Town Square Prague his home
1305 1320 1335 1350
1306 Přemyslid Votive panel showing
dynasty ends Charles, Archbishop Jan 1344 Elevation 1348 Charles IV
Očko and Bohemia’s founds Prague
1310 John of of Prague
Portal of Old-New Luxemburg patron saints bishopric to New Town
Synagogue occupies Prague archbishopric

026-027_EW_Prague.indd 26 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