From The Invisible College

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Prague (Czech: Praha ), is the capital and largest city of the Czech Republic. Situated on the Vltava river in central Bohemia, it is home to approximately 1.2 million people. Nicknames for Prague have included "city of a hundred spires" and "the golden city" and is widely considered the most magical city in Europe.

According to legend, Princess Libuše, the sovereign of the Czech tribe, married a humble plowman by the name of Přemysl and founded the dynasty carrying the same name (which reigned in Bohemia from the 9th century till 1306) . The legendary Princess saw many prophecies from her castle Libusin, which was located in central Bohemia. In one prophecy, it is told, she foresaw the glory of Prague:

"I see a vast city, whose glory will touch the stars! I see a place in the middle of a forest where a steep cliff rises above the Vltava River. There is a man, who is chiseling the threshold (prah) for the house. A castle named Prague (Praha) will be built there. Just as the princes and the dukes stoop in front of a threshold, they will bow to the castle and to the city around it. It will be honored, renowned of great repute, and praise will be bestowed upon it by the entire world."

The city has also been a centre for knowledge and learning throughout its history. During the reign of Charles the IV, Prague became the Imperial Capital of the Holy Roman Empire with Charles' coronation as the Holy Roman Emperor in 1355. During his time on the throne, Charles wishes his home to be transformed into the greatest city in the world, with the construction of Charles University in 1348 (the first university in central, northern and eastern Europe), the creation of New Town (more then doubling the population of Prague in the space of decades), and the erection of such monuments as the Charles Bridge, St Vitus' Cathedral and a multitude of other church which make Prague the city of a thousand spires.

Unlike many other of the great cities throughout Europe, much of the city's historic sites have survived untouch through the recent world wars and some of the ancient magics that bind the city have lasted for the 2500 year history of it's settlement.

Significant sites

Prague Castle - where the Czech kings, Holy Roman Emperors and now the presidents of Czechoslovakia and the Czech Republic have had their offices.

Charles Bridge - a famous historical bridge that crosses the Vltava river

Charles University - the oldest, largest and most prestigious Czech university and among the oldest universities in Europe

The Old New Synagogue - Europe's oldest active synagogue.

Astronomical Clock - a medieval astronomical clock located in the Old Town Square, mounted on the southern wall of Old Town City Hall