PRAGUE: CITY OF A HUNDRED SPIRES Edward Saunders, freelance lecturer Prague is one of the finest cities in Europe – an architectural gem which has survived virtually untouched for three hundred years and more. Dominating the city is the Castle District (Hradčany). Boasting a vast range of palaces, monasteries and houses of the nobility, the Castle District has at its centre St Vitus Cathedral. This double lecture will trace the history of the cathedral, begun in the fourteenth century during the reign of Charles IV, King of Bohemia and Holy Roman Emperor, who also gave his name to the famous Charles Bridge which spans the river Vltava. Prague is famous for its Baroque buildings. Amongst its masterpieces are the Church of St Nicholas in the Lesser Town and the former Loreto Monastery in the Castle District. But Prague was also a great trading city and this is evident from the Jewish quarter. During a later era, Prague was one of the centres of the Art Nouveau style and, indeed, a number of turn-of-the-century buildings are to be found in the city. Designer and illustrator Alphonse Mucha made his home here. To walk down from the Castle, to cross the Charles Bridge, to enter the Old Town and follow the Karlova into the Old Town Square is to embark on an expedition back in time, experiencing the layers of styles and ornament that have left their imprint upon Prague through the centuries. Course page: http://www.summerschool.uct.ac.za/prague_hundred_spires DISCLAIMER: The opinions expressed in the lecture are those of the lecturer and do not necessarily reflect those of the Summer School organisers. These recordings are unedited. UCT Summer School 2016 http://www.summerschool.uct.ac.za Twitter: @UCTSummerSchool Facebook: UCT Summer School

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