Discount Prague Hotels

Prague Hotels and accommodation 

Prague is considered one of the most beautiful cities in the world. Over the last few years it has become one of Europe's most popular tourist destinations. It is known as 'the mother of cities,' 'city of a hundred spires' and 'the golden Prague.'

Prague's extensive historical centre has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site due to the unique collection of architecture. Gothic, Renaissance, Baroque, Art Nouveau and Cubist styles are all well represented. It has experienced a lot less fighting during the World War II than other major European cities like Berlin or Warsaw so the historical architecture is largely intact. Many hotels in Prague are located in the historical centre.

Situated on the River Vltava in central Bohemia, the city is spread over nine hills, so a lot of Prague hotels, even central ones, are standing on the hillsides or enbankments and rooms provide outstanding views over the rooftops or across the bridges.

The history of Prague spans thousands of years, during which time the city grew from a castle at Vyšehrad to a major European city, the capital of Czech Kingdom, Holy Roman Empire, Czechoslovakia and, most recently, Czech Republic.

Prague Castle became one of the largest inhabited fortresses in Europe. It was home to the Christmas carol's Good King Wenceslas, a 10th century prince who is the patron saint of Czechs.

The districts of Hradcany, Old Town, Lesser Town, and New Town were all founded in the Medieval times, with many buildings surviving from the era when Prague was the third largest city in Europe. Some of them have been partially of fully redeveloped to turn into Prague boutique hotels.

Under Emperor Charles IV who wanted Prague to become one of the most beautiful cities in the world, a new bridge crossing the river was built. It is now known as Charles Bridge - and loved for its magnificent beauty accented by the numerous statues. The imposing St. Vitus Cathedral is Central Europe's most ancient Gothic church of this kind, and the Charles University is also the oldest outside Western Europe. Prague was an important merchant city, and numerous Gothic buildings from the era survive.

During the reign of Rudolf II the city experienced another surge in prominence, as the new Emperor invited astrologers and magicians, musicians and artists, philosophers and scientists including Tycho Brahe and Johann Kepler. The legend of the Golem, a powerful creature made of clay, attributes its existence to those times.

In 1689 Prague was devastated by a great fire which however led to rebuilding of the city. Rich merchants and nobility filled the city with palaces, churches and gardens many of which are fine examples of Baroque style. Some 18th century mansions are used as luxury hotels in Prague.

Prague was one of the most important industrial, intellectual and cultural centres of Europe by the time it has become the capital of independent Czechoslovakia in 1918. Composers Bedrich Smetana and Antonín Dvorák used Czech folk melodies in their pieces. Works by writers such as Franz Kafka, Gustav Meyrink and Jaroslav Hasek reflected the atmosphere of the city, both dark and picturesque. The Art Nouveau painter Alfonse Mucha is also associated with Prague. Their heritage is reflected in various aspects of the Prague hotel industry, with some properties themed on their work.

For most of its history Prague was a multiethnic city but following the Nazi occupation in 1939 and the liberation in 1945, most of the Jews and Germans fled, were killed or expelled.

Czechoslovakia was taken over by communists who undertook a programme of restoration of monuments damaged during the World War II.

During the communist period the maintenance of the city's buildings was sometimes inadequate. The workers would put up scaffolding and then disappear to moonlighting jobs. Wenceslas Square was covered in scaffolds for over a decade, with little repair ever being accomplished.

Art scene still flourished in Prague, and filmmakers such as Milos Forman and Jan Svankmajer brought the world's attention to Czech culture again.

The city was invaded again in 1968 - by the Soviet army which crushed the local government's attempt at democratic reform. Democracy finally returned to the country after the non-violent Velvet Revolution brought hundreds of thousands of people to the streets of Prague.

Following the breakdown of the Iron Curtain, Prague has become a popular tourist destination. With the advent of low-cost airlines, it has turned into a major weekend getaway city. There are over 50,000 beds on offer in Prague hotels and boarding houses, most of which were built in the last twenty years.

Major renovation works were undertaken in Prague following the collapse of communism. By then Prague mostly switched from coal to electric heating, and the air pollution reduced considerably which made the renovations more durable. Major flooding in 2002 caused some parts of the city to be evacuated but no major landmarks were destroyed.

Prague is home to many drama and musical theatres including the Estates Theatre where Don Giovanni by W. A. Mozart was premiered. There are also hundreds of concert halls, galleries, cinemas and music clubs, and several festivals are held regularly, providing for a bustling nightlife.

The city's combination of magnificent architecture, low prices and developed motion picture infrastructure means that Prague is now a popular filming location for international studios, with Mission: Impossible or Blade II shot there.

Czech Republic is famous for its beer brewing traditions going back hundreds of years, and its hearty cuisine. Its capital is full of cheap restaurants and pubs offering amazing dining options. One of the local restaurants, Allegro, was the first to receive a Michelin star in the entire Eastern Europe. Most hotels in Prague offer at least a hearty breakfast option, and many have several restaurants and bars on premises.

Prague's two international railway stations serve many destinations in Europe, including all parts of the Czech Republic. The city's Ruzyne International Airport is one of the busiest in the region.

Prague is home to major football clubs Slavia and Sparta, and the Strahov Stadium is world's second largest. Hockey and other winter sports like skating are popular.

Some of the major tourist attractions in Prague include:

• Prague Castle, the largest in the world, with St. Vitus Cathedral and Golden Lane
• Old Town Square and the 1410 Astronomical Clock with moving sculptures
• The picturesque Charles Bridge with three towers and dozens of statues
• New Town with its busy and historic Wenceslas Square
• The old Jewish quarter with Old Jewish Cemetery and the vaulted gothic Old New Synagogue from 1270
• Žižkov Television Tower with observation deck and scultures by David Cerny
• Prague Zoo, considered one of the best in the world

The go4hotels.com can help you choose any hotel you like whether they are luxury hotels in the Old Town cradled in historical buildings or you can choose a budget hotel if you prefer the backpacker lifestyle. We offer some of the best last minute hotel deals in Prague, with the lowest rates guarantee.