In the city of Prague, the capital of the Czech Republic

 "Beautiful dreamer, wake unto me,

Starlight and dewdrops are waiting for thee;
Sounds of the rude world, heard in the day,
Lull'd by the moonlight have all pass'd away!
Beautiful dreamer, queen of my song,
List while I woo thee with soft melody;
Gone are the cares of life's busy throng,
Beautiful dreamer, awake unto me...
Beautiful dreamer, beam on my heart,
E'en as the morn on the streamlet and sea;
Then will all clouds of sorrow depart,
Beautiful dreamer, awake unto me...."
-- some lines from the old song, Beautiful Dreamer, by Stephen Foster
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(in Prague, which is one of the most beautiful cities in the world) The capital of the Czech Republic shines with a fresh yet ancient warmth. Unique buildings from every era of architectural history, idyllic coffee houses, traditional bars in the narrow lanes, and other attractive characteristics of an earlier age attract millions of visitors every year.

+ Once a small place at a point where the Vltava river could be forded, the salt and amber trade routes began to converge, and the little market grew to become a hub of the European goods trade, and later became capital of the Holy Roman Empire, under Charles IV in the 14th century. (The citizens could afford to commission leading architects and artists.)

+ This is how Prague became one of the most beautiful cities in the world, with its Baroque-style buildings, churches, and its castle, which towers over the city. The city has been celebrated by great musicians, painters, and writers.

+ In 1784, what had been five independent districts merged into a unique complex of buildings from all periods and styles. In 1992, UNESCO recognized the historic center of the city as a World Cultural Heritage Site.

+ Right in the very heart of Prague is some of the city’s oldest architecture and most iconic and attractive structures. Of these, one that tourists most like to visit and photograph is the statue-lined Charles Bridge (Czech name: Karlův most).