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Bethlehem
Chapel
Originally a Gothic chapel dating from 1391, this chapel was where
Jan Hus preached from 1402 to 1412, to crowds of more than 3,000
with standing room only! The chapel continued to serve as a reformist
place of worship under the leadership of Hus's friend Jakoubek of
Stríbro, eventually becoming part of a Jesuit Order until
1773, when it was demolished to make way for a private dwelling.
Completely damaged, the building was reconstructed in 1950-53 from
old engravings and pictures The door through which Hus entered the
pulpit is original.
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Hus
Memorial . The centrepiece of the Old Town Square
is a monument to one of the most influential figures in Czech history,
Jan Hus, who was burned alive in 1415 after being denounced as a
heretic. The monument, designed in the Art Nouveau style by Ladislaus
Šaloun, was unveiled in 1915 - the 500th anniversary of Jan
Hus's death and symbolizes the long struggle for Czech freedom.
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St
Vitus Cathedral. This
gothic cathedral
was begun in 1344, but wasn't completed until 1929, due to plagues,
wars etc. In the south transept is the chapel where Prince Wenceslas
is buried. Back to top
Tın
Church. Hus' followers were responsible for building
this church in the 15th century. It's full name is the Church of
the Virgin Mary before Tın. The Tın church has always
played a major role in the history of the reformation in Bohemia
and it was the most important church of the Hussites in the 16th
century. Inside, you will find many fine sculptures from the pre-Hussite
period. Back
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St
George's Basilica This is the oldest preserved church
building of the Prague Castle. A Romanesque basilica was founded
in AD 920 near the Benedictine monastery by Prince Vratislav I (the
father of St. Wenceslas)and rebuilt in the 10th and the 12th centuries.
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Hradcany
Castle This stunning castle, maybe the largest castle
on earth, has been a seat of power for over a thousand years. It
contains many areas, including the St Vitus Cathedral, St George's
Basilica, the Old Royal Palace, and the Golden Lane. Back
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Charles
Bridge The 13th century Charles Bridge is a charming
place to wander among local artisans. It was built as gift to the
city of Prague by Charles IV in the 14th century. Today most of
the statues are copies, as various floods and catastrophes over
the centuries have damaged them. There are now 75 statues and perhaps
the most interesting - also the oldest - is that of John Nepomuk.
He was a priest in Prague under Wenceslas IV and was murdered.Back
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Wenceslas
Square This 750m long, 60m wide boulevard originates
from the Charles IV period, when it was used as a horse market. Now
it's the main street of Prague’s commercial district and the
street can comfortably hold 400,000 people. At one end of the street
is the National Museum. There's also a statue of St. Václav
(Wenceslas) who is a Czech hero. Local's like to meet here, saying
"I'll see you under the horse's tail."Back
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