Stroll through Prague to admire a thousand years of European architectural history

Written/Compiled & Reported by Chen Guanxin, MOOK Travel Life Network | Source: Moleskine Editorial Department

Prague began taking shape as a city in the 5th century, going through simple architectural forms such as stone churches and wooden houses in the 7th century. By the late 9th century, it engaged in political, economic, and religious-cultural exchanges with Rome, marking the beginning of systematic architectural development. Today, visitors can admire the evolution of European architecture over a thousand years from the 10th to the 20th century, including Romanesque, Gothic, Renaissance, Baroque, Rococo, Neo-Classicism, and Art Nouveau styles. No wonder the world praises Prague as an open-air museum of European architecture!

Romanesque Architecture

Around the 11th century, Bohemia became a territory of the Holy Roman Empire. The ruling Přemyslid dynasty actively promoted Catholicism to consolidate power, and the Romanesque architectural style began to appear in Prague’s churches and the homes of the wealthy. The best-preserved example is the Basilica of St. George within Prague Castle. Although many Romanesque-style residential buildings also exist in the Old Town, frequent flooding from the Vltava River led to road elevations in later constructions. Original ground-floor homes were turned into basements or even buried beneath the foundations of current buildings, often only discovered during underground utility repairs.

Romanesque architecture differs stylistically from Roman architecture. Romanesque architecture, which flourished in Europe from the late 10th to mid-13th century, involved designing large public spaces for communal use. Architects developed the “ribbed vault” structure to distribute roof weight through walls to the ground, eliminating the need for space-consuming columns. The sturdy and heavy appearance is a hallmark of Prague’s Romanesque buildings.

Gothic Architecture

Gothic architecture originated in France and became the dominant style for Catholic churches in central France by the early 12th century, later spreading to Central Europe via monks. After the Luxembourg dynasty replaced the Přemyslid rule and established Bohemia’s second historical dynasty, they moved away from the simple and practical Romanesque style, instead showcasing their power through soaring spires. Prominent architects of the time, such as Matthew of Arras, began constructing the St. Vitus Cathedral within Prague Castle.