Just a quick note: Not much of Medieval Prague actually remains. Of the historic city center, even that was largely redeveloped in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. As an example, Antonín Langweil made an incredibly detailed paper model of Old Town and Malá strana (he died before finishing New Town) between 1826-1837 (it is in the City of Prague Museum). This model captures the Baroque phase of the city largely built up after the destruction of the 30 Years War. But compared to today, less than half of those building in that model still exist. The 'asanation' of the Jewish Quarter, the construction of river promenades and embankments, as well as industrialization and development of the city as the center of the reestablished independent Czech state signaled a lot of redevelopment and densification, and the mix of historical and modern styles the city is known for.
Prague must be preserved for future generations no matter the cicumstances.Even for Hitler or Stalin Prague was a "no touch" city.Extremely well preserved throughout millennia, Prague is the ultimate gemstone of the European civilization. Truly a magical place, considered by many the most beautiful in Europe, which says a lot.
The Nazi's actually had the city extensively mined at the end of the War and planned to detonate and destroy the city center around May 12th, 1945. The Prague Uprising, that erupted on May 5th, however delayed their plans until the American and Soviet armies arrived on May 8-9th. The Uprising still resulted in the Nazi's firebombing the area around Old Town Square, which is why the Old Town Hall no longer exists, replaced with that park behind the Orloj. Had the Nazis won WW2 they planned to tear down many monuments like the Municipal House and reorganize the city around Fascist monumentalism and urban principles. Prague was also planned to be "renewed" under 1960s car centric urbanism, like most cities of the time, demolishing neighbourhoods to build expressways and planning to move the entire city population into expansive panel housing estates in the green periphery. The Communist authorities only managed to demolish a small section of Žižkov and build the Magistrála, as well as a significant portion of the housing estates, until they ran out of money in the 1980s. Other cities had worse fates, like Most or Ústí, which successfully leveled their historic districts but had no money to replace them. Just like Paris, which Hitler ordered be blown up as the Allies closed in on it, and was only saved by luck that von Choltitz cared more about his own life (to not be captured by the Resistance) so he ignored Hitler's Orders, Prague exists as it does largely through luck.
Really good video of my favorite city! Glad you liked it, too!❤️
Welcome in the Czech republic and Prague.
Gyönyörű Prága. Májusba voltam. Nagyon jó volt. Örök élmény. Boldog Új Évet!
Nice vlog Hannah - some great places.
Just a quick note: Not much of Medieval Prague actually remains. Of the historic city center, even that was largely redeveloped in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. As an example, Antonín Langweil made an incredibly detailed paper model of Old Town and Malá strana (he died before finishing New Town) between 1826-1837 (it is in the City of Prague Museum). This model captures the Baroque phase of the city largely built up after the destruction of the 30 Years War. But compared to today, less than half of those building in that model still exist. The 'asanation' of the Jewish Quarter, the construction of river promenades and embankments, as well as industrialization and development of the city as the center of the reestablished independent Czech state signaled a lot of redevelopment and densification, and the mix of historical and modern styles the city is known for.
Prague must be preserved for future generations no matter the cicumstances.Even for Hitler or Stalin Prague was a "no touch" city.Extremely well preserved throughout millennia, Prague is the ultimate gemstone of the European civilization. Truly a magical place, considered by many the most beautiful in Europe, which says a lot.
The Nazi's actually had the city extensively mined at the end of the War and planned to detonate and destroy the city center around May 12th, 1945. The Prague Uprising, that erupted on May 5th, however delayed their plans until the American and Soviet armies arrived on May 8-9th. The Uprising still resulted in the Nazi's firebombing the area around Old Town Square, which is why the Old Town Hall no longer exists, replaced with that park behind the Orloj. Had the Nazis won WW2 they planned to tear down many monuments like the Municipal House and reorganize the city around Fascist monumentalism and urban principles.
Prague was also planned to be "renewed" under 1960s car centric urbanism, like most cities of the time, demolishing neighbourhoods to build expressways and planning to move the entire city population into expansive panel housing estates in the green periphery. The Communist authorities only managed to demolish a small section of Žižkov and build the Magistrála, as well as a significant portion of the housing estates, until they ran out of money in the 1980s. Other cities had worse fates, like Most or Ústí, which successfully leveled their historic districts but had no money to replace them.
Just like Paris, which Hitler ordered be blown up as the Allies closed in on it, and was only saved by luck that von Choltitz cared more about his own life (to not be captured by the Resistance) so he ignored Hitler's Orders, Prague exists as it does largely through luck.