Global Treasures: Hradcany

Television Director: Ullman, Frank

Producer: Scarson, Peter O.

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Catalogue Number: GTR-DVD-1185

UPC: 879061007842

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Global Treasures - History's Most Protected Monuments - Heritage is our legacy from the past, what we live today, and what we pass on to future generations. Our cultural and natural heritage are both irreplaceable sources of life and inspiration. Places as unique and diverse as the wilds of East Africa's Serengeti, the Pyramids of Egypt, the Great Barrier Reef in Australia and the Baroque cathedrals of Latin America make up our world's heritage. Join us as we explore one of these protected monuments.

For centuries, the city of Prague on the River Vltava has possessed a special kind of magic. The impressive quantity of historic buildings has made the city one of the most popular destinations in Europe for tourists from all over the world.

Dating from the time of Charles IV, the Charles Bridge is one of the city's most famous landmarks and was created by one of Prague's most celebrated architects, Peter Parler.

The ascent of the legendary Castle Hill, with its world-famous Hradschin district, also features several beautifully-decorated historic buildings. The 1,000-year history of Prague's Castle Hill began in 925 AD, when the region was ruled by Wenzel, who built a modest-looking rotunda for Saint Vitus.

For pilgrims, both the Hradcany and most notably the Loreta Sanctuary are among the most popular religious destinations in the Czech Republic. In addition to the impressive facade created by Christoph Dientzenhofer and Kilian Ignaz Dientzenhofer, the richly-sculptured decorations reflect the architectural styles of the 17th and 18th centuries.

Saint Vitus Cathedral is a masterpiece of Gothic architecture and the largest in the Czech Republic. With the official ordination of the cathedral on September 28, 1929, its six-century period of construction finally reached its glorious conclusion. Despite its mixture of various historical epochs and their various styles, the overall effect of the building can be described as nothing less than magnificent.

A special tourist attraction is a tiny yet historic gem, Golden Lane, once renowned for its infamous alchemists. However, despite its rather disastrous history of alchemy and due also to the existence of the Hradcany, Prague is quite rightly still known as "The Golden City."