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Vysehrad - Historical District
The fortification on the rocky cliff on the right bank of the river Vltava, with its two towers of St Peter and Paul's Church, which dominates the southern part of historical Prague, dates back to ancient times. The cliff was supposedly the seat of the ancient dukes and knights of Czech mythology. According to a myth princess Libuse founded the dynasty of the Premyslic rulers from Vysehrad. Emperor Charles IV had Vysehrad reconstructed, but in 1420 it was destroyed by the Hussites. In 1654, rebuilding as a Baroque fort, whose walls and three gates are still preserved today, was started.
The oldest building in the fortress is the Romanesque St. Martin Rotunda (11th century). The pseudo-Gothic St. Peter and Paul's Church stands in the middle of the Vysehrad Park with Art Noveaus decoration by Alfons Mucha. There are other monuments, such as stone statue groups inspired by the Czech mythology (sculpted by J.V.Myslbek at the end of the 19th century). The most memorable place is the Vysehrad cemetry, where famous Czech personalities such as Smetana, Mucha and Myslbek are buried.
The Vysehrad district is a picturesque part of Prague, which attracts tourists from all over the world. Apart from the former Vysehrad castle it is also famous for its buildings in Czech Cubism style. |
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