These are my pictures of the Czech Republic taken during the summer of 2004 while working with colleagues at the Prague School of Economics to set up a course on the transitional economies of Europe.  The course will include a ten-day trip to the Czech Republic during the spring break in March.

Most of the photos are of Prague, the capital of the Czech Republic.  Prague is an ancient city, dating back well before 973 when it became the seat of a bishopric. It was, at that time, the capital city of Bohemia under the Přemyslid dynasty, which includes the "Good King Wencelas" of Christmas carol fame, who died in 935. It really flourished  under Charles IV (1346-1378), who was elected Holy Roman Emperor in 1355. It was Charles who constructed the cathedral of St. Vitus and the Charles Bridge, and had a whole new district, the New Town (Nové Mĕsto), laid out as a model of modern city planning. He also had the Labe River in the north and the Vltava River, which runs through Prague, made fully navigable. He founded Charles University, the first in central Europe. And he had Prague elevated to an archbishopric. Thus, under Charles IV, Bohemia was one of the most sophisticated of European states.

Today, Prague is a city of about 1.2 million persons. The city is located on the banks of the Vltava River in central Bohemia (one of two major regions of the Czech Republic, the other being Moravia). The area is quite hilly, making for some very picturesque views, as you will see. Below, you will see photos representative of each of the districts of Prague that are of greatest historical and cultural interest. Clicking on any one of these opens a folder containing many more photos. There are also thematic folders (river scenes, architecture, the red roofs of Prague) and folders on some sites elsewhere in the Czech Republic.

If you would like to send feedback or ask questions, please do not hesitate to contact me at william.trumbull@mail.wvu.edu. If you would like to know more about me, just visit my Home Page.

Enjoy!

New Town (Nové Město)

Vyšehrad

Red Roofs of Prague

Architectural Details

Prague at Night

Eating