Deep beneath Prague exists a hidden world. I want to tell you about Čtyřvchodová sluj. This cave entrance is a gateway to the city’s geological past. Sadly, access is restricted.
Prague’s history stretches back to prehistoric times. The area has been settled since the Paleolithic Age. Trade routes once connected southern and northern Europe right through here. Around 500 BC the Celtic Boii tribe settled here. They gave their name to Bohemia.
Around 900 AD the Czech Přemyslid dynasty controlled Bohemia. Prince Bořivoj built Prague Castle around 880. It is one of the largest castles in the world. Since then, Prague has been the seat of Czech rulers. Prague Castle became one of Europe’s largest inhabited fortresses. Today it houses the Czech president.
By the early 10th century the area around Prague Castle became a major trading hub. Merchants came from all over Europe. In 965 an Arab merchant Ibrahim ibn Ya’qub wrote about Prague. He described it as built from stone and lime with a big trade center.
In 973 a bishopric was founded in Bohemia. The bishop’s palace was located on the Prague Castle grounds.
Across the Vltava River another settlement arose. Vyšehrad became a temporary seat of Czech rulers in the 11th century. Many monasteries and churches were built during the reign of Prince Vladislav II. The Strahov Monastery was founded in 1142. The first stone bridge the Judith Bridge was built in 1170.
In 1212 Bohemia became a hereditary kingdom. King Přemysl Otakar I invited German colonists to Bohemia and Moravia. In the 13th century towns began to grow. Three settlements around Prague Castle gained town privileges. The Old Town of Prague gained this privilege in 1230. The settlement below Prague Castle became the New Town of Prague in 1257. Later it was renamed Lesser Town. The Castle District dates from 1320.
King Charles IV of the Luxembourg dynasty ruled in the 14th century. Prague flourished. In 1344 the bishopric of Prague was raised to an archbishopric. Charles founded Charles University in 1348. He also founded New Town. Charles rebuilt Prague Castle and Vyšehrad. He erected a new bridge Charles Bridge. Construction of St Vitus Cathedral began. In 1355 Charles was crowned Emperor of the Holy Roman Empire. Prague became the capital.
During the reign of King Wenceslas IV Jan Hus preached in Prague. His execution in 1415 led to the Hussite Wars.
In 1526 Ferdinand I became King of Bohemia. Prague’s history became linked to Austria and the Habsburgs.
Following the Second Defenestration of Prague the Thirty Years’ War began. In 1784 the four towns Hradčany Malá Strana Nové Město and Staré Město became a single city.
The 18th and 19th centuries saw Prague grow. Rich merchants and nobles built palaces churches and green spaces.
After World War I Czechoslovakia was created in 1918. Prague was chosen as the capital. In 1939 Nazi troops invaded Prague. At the end of World War II Prague was under Soviet control.
In 1968 Alexander Dubček led the Prague Spring. The Soviet Union invaded and suppressed reforms. In 1989 the Velvet Revolution ended communist rule. In 1993 Czechoslovakia split. Prague became the capital of the Czech Republic.
Today Prague is known as “The City of a Hundred Spires”. It attracts millions of visitors each year. The historic center is a UNESCO World Heritage site. Though Čtyřvchodová sluj remains hidden its story is part of Prague’s larger narrative.