Stroll through Prague and appreciate a thousand years of European architectural history

By MOOK Scenic Spots Travel Life Network, reported and compiled by Chen Guanxin | Source / Moleskine Editorial Department

 

Prague began to take shape as a city in the 5th century, went through simple architectural forms such as stone churches and wooden houses in the 7th century, and by the late 9th century engaged in political, economic, and religious-cultural exchanges with Rome, which initiated systematic architectural development. Today, you can admire the evolution of European architecture from the 10th to the 20th century in Prague — from Romanesque, Gothic, Renaissance, Baroque, Rococo, Neo-Classicism to Art Nouveau. 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 then-ruling Přemyslid dynasty actively promoted Catholicism to strengthen its rule, and Romanesque architecture began to appear in Prague’s churches and the homes of the wealthy. The best-preserved example is the Basilica of St. George inside Prague Castle. Although many Romanesque residential buildings also existed in the Old Town, the area frequently suffered flooding from the Vltava River, so later roads were built on raised ground. Original single-story houses became basements or were buried beneath the foundations of existing buildings, often only discovered during underground utility repairs.

Romanesque architecture differs stylistically from Roman architecture. Romanesque architecture, popular in Europe from the late 10th to mid-13th century, was used for churches designed to accommodate large public gatherings. Architects developed the “ribbed vault” structure to distribute the roof’s weight through walls to the ground, eliminating the need for space-consuming columns. The rugged and solid style is characteristic of Prague’s Romanesque buildings.

 

Gothic Architecture

Gothic architecture originated in France and became the dominant style for Catholic churches in central France around the early 12th century, spreading to Central Europe via monks. After the Luxembourg dynasty of Bohemia replaced the Přemyslid family and established the second dynasty in Czech history, they moved away from the plain and practical Romanesque style, instead showcasing their power with towering spires. At that time, renowned architects such as Matthew of Arras began constructing the St. Vitus Cathedral within Prague Castle.