Prague is the capital of the Czech Republic and one of the nine cities awarded by the European Community the title of European City of Culture for the year 2000. Since the Middle Ages Prague has been famous as one of the most beautiful cities of the world, and represents an unique collection of historical monuments dominated by the Prague Castle which towers high above the city. 

The historical core of the city is situated on both banks of the Vltava river and consists of 6 parts - formerly independent urban units unified in the 18th century. They are: Stare Mesto (Old Town), Josefov (the preserved part of the former Jewish Town - today a part of the Old Town), Nove Mesto (New Town), Mala Strana (Lesser Town), Hradcany and Vysehrad. Naturally, most of the historical monuments, museums and galleries are concentrated right there. In 1992 the historical core of the city covering 866 hectares was listed in the UNESCO World Cultural and Natural Heritage Register.

Prague is crossed by the course of the longest Czech river, the Vltava. In the widest part of the river, in the town center, alluvial deposits gave existence to different islands, one of which, called the Slavonic Island (Slovansky ostrov), is accessible via a small bridge opposite the National Theatre. 

At these fording places bridges were constructed as the city grew, many quite spectacular like Charles Bridge where the simple lines of the bridge are enhanced by 30 statues and sculptural groups by the most renowned sculptors, together with the most beautiful panorama of the town admired by hundreds of thousands of visitors every year. 

A lot of picturesque spots are scattered along the Vltava River. One of the most charming places is an arm of the Vltava River called Certovka that separates the Kampa Island from one of the town's historical parts - the Lesser Town - situated on the river's left bank. In the past, the water from the Certovka River used to drive mills and ran along palaces and burgher´s houses.