What is the Capital of the Czech Republic? (Prague, Explained)
Moderated by Tomas Kauer 
The capital of the Czech Republic is Prague (Praha) — a city of 1.3 million people on the Vltava river in the historic region of Bohemia. It has been the political and cultural centre of the Czech lands for over a thousand years, serving as capital of the Kingdom of Bohemia, the Holy Roman Empire under Charles IV, Czechoslovakia from 1918, and the Czech Republic since 1 January 1993.
Prague: capital of the Czech Republic
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| City name | Prague (English) / Praha (Czech) |
| Capital of | Czech Republic (1993–present); previously Czechoslovakia (1918–1992); Bohemian Kingdom from the 9th century |
| Country | Czech Republic (Česká republika / Česko) |
| Historic region | Bohemia (western half of the country) |
| Population | ~1.3 million (metro area ~2.2 million) |
| Area | 496 km² (191.5 sq mi) |
| Coordinates | 50.0755° N, 14.4378° E |
| Time zone | CET (UTC+1) / CEST (UTC+2) |
| Currency | Czech koruna (CZK) |
| Language | Czech |
| Airport | Václav Havel Airport Prague (PRG) |
| UNESCO status | World Heritage Site (historic centre, 1992) |
Why Prague is the capital
Prague became the seat of the Czech lands in the 9th century, when the Přemyslid dynasty established Prague Castle on the hill above the Vltava. By the 14th century, under Emperor Charles IV, Prague was the capital of the Holy Roman Empire — making it, briefly, the political centre of Europe. It survived five centuries of Habsburg rule, two world wars, 41 years of communism, and the 1993 “Velvet Divorce” from Slovakia with its capital status intact.
How Prague became “the capital” over 1,100 years
| Period | Status |
|---|---|
| 880 AD | Prague Castle founded by Prince Bořivoj I of the Přemyslid dynasty |
| 1085 | Prague becomes capital of the Kingdom of Bohemia |
| 1346–1378 | Capital of the Holy Roman Empire under Charles IV (the city’s golden age) |
| 1526–1918 | Habsburg crown land; capital of the Kingdom of Bohemia within the Austrian Empire |
| 28 Oct 1918 | Becomes capital of newly independent Czechoslovakia |
| 1939–1945 | Capital of the Nazi Protectorate of Bohemia and Moravia |
| 1945–1992 | Capital of (communist, from 1948) Czechoslovakia |
| 1 Jan 1993 | Capital of the newly independent Czech Republic following the “Velvet Divorce” |
Prague’s role today
As capital, Prague houses:
- The President of the Czech Republic, with official residence at Prague Castle (the world’s largest ancient castle complex).
- The Chamber of Deputies and Senate (the national parliament).
- The government at Straka Academy on the Vltava.
- All ministries and major government agencies.
- The Czech National Bank and the Prague Stock Exchange.
- The country’s largest airport, the main train station, and the oldest university in Central Europe (Charles University, founded 1348).
Second city: Brno
Prague is overwhelmingly dominant, but the Czech Republic’s second city is Brno — the historic capital of Moravia and home to the Constitutional Court and the Supreme Court. Brno is a dynamic university city of 380,000 people in the east.
Frequently asked questions
What is the capital of the Czech Republic?
Prague (Czech: Praha).
Is Prague the capital of Czechia?
Yes. “Czechia” is the official short-name of the Czech Republic (adopted 2016) and Prague is its capital.
Was Prague ever the capital of Czechoslovakia?
Yes — from 1918 to 1992. When Czechoslovakia split into the Czech Republic and Slovakia on 1 January 1993, Prague remained capital of the Czech Republic; Bratislava became capital of Slovakia.
What makes Prague special as a capital?
It is one of only a handful of European capitals to escape major WWII bombing, so its medieval, Gothic, Renaissance, Baroque, and Art Nouveau architecture survives largely intact. The UNESCO-listed historic centre covers 866 hectares.
How do you say “Prague is the capital” in Czech?
“Praha je hlavní město.” (PRAH-hah yeh HLAV-nee MYESS-toh)
Visit Prague — recommended gear
- Rick Steves Prague & the Czech Republic — best all-round guidebook.
- Lonely Planet Central Europe
- Merrell Moab 3 hiking shoes — for Prague’s cobblestones.
- Zero Grid RFID travel wallet
- “Prague Winter” by Madeleine Albright
