as a UNESCO world heritage site in 1992. This stunning city was fortunately one of few European

cities to largely escape the destruction of the Second World War.

While the area was inhabited as far back as 200 BC. The history of the city is generally

dated from the laying of the first masonry under Prague castle in the year 885.

For most of the time since and through many turbulent periods, it has been an important

centre of trade, commerce, art and culture in central Europe. Prague caters to millions

of tourists each year, with one of its major attractions being the Charles Bridge, built

by the Holy Roman Emperor and King of Bohemia Charles IV in 1357. The bridge is over 500

metres long and is adorned with a series of striking statues that span the length of the

bridge between the historic old town and Prague Castle.

The historic, almost fairytale quality of its architecture belies the fact that modern

Prague is a dynamic, thriving European capital, considered to be among the most innovative

in the world and home to the European headquarters of many major companies.