- Title: Czechs celebrate 700th birthday of revered emperor
- Date: 13th May 2016
- Summary: PRAGUE, CZECH REPUBLIC (MAY 13, 2016) (REUTERS) PRAGUE CASTLE PRESIDENTIAL FLAG VARIOUS OF CZECH PRESIDENT, MILOS ZEMAN, WELCOMING AND SHAKING HANDS WITH LUXEMBOURG'S GRAND DUKE HENRI
- Embargoed: 28th May 2016 14:58
- Keywords: royalty emperor Charles IV crown
- Location: PRAGUE, CZECH REPUBLIC
- City: PRAGUE, CZECH REPUBLIC
- Country: Czech Republic
- Topics: Arts/Culture/Entertainment,Royals
- Reuters ID: LVA0014HN4JSP
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: Prague welcomed foreign royals on Friday (May 13) to hold celebrations in honour of Holy Roman Emperor Charles IV's 700th birthday.
Luxembourg's Grand Duke Henri met with Czech President Milos Zeman in the capital as part of festivities, which were also attended by Lichtenstein's Prince Alois and Monaco's Prince Albert II.
Charles IV - who constructed Prague's iconic Charles bridge - was born in 1316 and inherited the title King of Bohemia before being crowned Holy Roman Emperor in modern-day Italy. Despite his far-stretching powers, he chose to rule from Prague, where many still hold up his reign as a 'Golden Age' for Bohemia.
"The 'European' Charles IV didn't fear a crisis and ruled rationally. He built an office in Prague which became the administrative and cultural centre. He was surrounded by intelligent people and he managed them effectively. He gave the Holy Roman Empire a legal code which was valid until 1806. In Brandenburg he founded the inventory of profits and properties which became the basis for collecting taxes, a predecessor of today's property register," Czech Prime Minister Bohuslav Sobotka said on Thursday (May 12) at the Charles University, founded by Charles himself as one of the first in Europe.
The anniversary of his birth is set to be celebrated throughout 2016, with exhibitions, conferences and special tours for visitors to the Czech capital.
The country's crown jewels have also been moved for the occasion from the treasury at St. Vitus Cathedral to be exhibited to the public in the Vladislav Hall of Prague Castle.
Czech scientists have also spruced up the bust of Charles IV to capture its original shape and colours after a year and a half of reconstruction work, so tourists walking Charles' own bridge can be met by his likeness. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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