The Metropolitan District Prague 6 covers more than 40 km² and with its 100 thousand inhabitants belongs to one of the largest cities in the Czech Republic. As a part of the City of Prague, Prague 6 makes up one-tenth of the city’s total area and population. The district spans the area from the edge of the historical center to the periphery and includes all types of construction from the Baroque walls of the Medieval Prague over the pent blocks of flats, sophisticated pre-fabricated housing up to the interesting parts of typical country constructions. All that is complemented with large green areas, natural parks and landscape formations creating highly demanded place for living, administration as well as diplomatic and business representative offices.

Tomáš Chalupa
Mayor of the Metropolitan District Prague 6

The modern history and Prague 6 development starts evolving by adopting the “Act on Great Prague” on September 4, 1920 when was the substantial part of present Prague 6 territory integrated within the Prague boundaries. Therefore this date was chosen as the Day of   Prague 6. Prague 6 comprises cadastral territories of Bubeneč, Břevnov, Dejvice, Hradčany, Liboc, Ruzyně, Sedlec, Střešovice, Veleslavín and Vokovice. In 1904 the emperor promoted the quarter of Bubeneč to town as well as Břevnov three years later. Within the Czech Kingdom epoch, the territory of present Prague 6 was divided among individual monasteries, the biggest influence of which had the Břevnov Monastery founded in the 10^th century. First preserved archaeological find in Prague territory – the pit from the Late Roman Age – was found in Dejvice. And therefore is possible to identify present Dejvice, Bubeneč and Podbaba as a classical area of Prague archaeology. The relics of almost 3000-year old cottage from the Early Iron Age were also found in Prague 6 – Liboc. The original Prague 6 finds, however, date from Paleolithic period, especially the stone tools fragments aged approximately 750 000 years.

Dejvice, Bubeneč and Břevnov are known for their quality architecture from the turn of the 19^th and 20^th century, well-appointed city designs, tree alleys and proportional squares. From the housing point of view, Prague 6 also comprises the residential garden suburbs of Hanspaulka, Baba, Ořechovka and Střešovice that the estate agencies rate as the best ones in the Czech Republic. There are moderately sized estates of prefabricated development from the second half of the 20^th century such as Petřiny, Červený vrch and Dědina. The prestige of Prague 6 also magnifies the fact that both current president of the Czech Republic Václav Klaus and his predecessor Václav Havel have been residing here as well.

Thanks to the systematic metropolitan district support, there are quite a few significant cultural institutions and galleries. Namely there are the Dejvicke theatre, legendary Delta club or theatre boat of the Forman brothers’, the sons of the world known film director Miloš Forman. Last but not least the newly reconstructed Semafor of Jiří Suchý in Globus Palace. The Anderle Gallery with extensive collection of African Art resides in reconstructed Pellé Villa and there is a Písecká Gate gallery in the former Baroque fortification of Prague. A draughtsman, graphic designer, illustrator and architect František Bílek, whose work is on display as a permanent exhibit in Bílek Villa, made a significant contribution to the history of Czech Symbolism and Art Nouveau. There has also been residing the world-famous puppet theatre of Spejbl and Hurvínek in Dejvice. An extraordinary experience represents the Hadovka Park with its outdoor gallery of seven sculptures by renowned authors.

The attractiveness of Prague 6, for both domestic and foreign visitors, is created by more than 150 sites, facilities and estates listed in the Prague real-estate culture sites. Several ones, such as the Hvězda hunting castle with a deer park and memorable battlefield on the White Mountain (1620), the Břevnov Monastery or the Villa Muller were proclaimed the national cultural heritage. The unique modern architectural heritage is represented by so called “Glass palace” in Bubeneč, built in the middle of 1930’s as a luxurious house, these days also used for the wedding ceremonies in Prague 6 or the functional settlement of Baba 1932 (under the UNESCO protection). In the preserved area of an old sewage treatment plant in Bubeneč, there is an important structure of our industrial architecture – the Eco-technical Museum. The nature park of Šárka-Lysolaje belongs among the largest preserved areas including the vast archaeological sites.

The sport enthusiasts can choose from numerous possibilities. Prague 6 offers the squash and tennis courts, a beach volleyball hall with heated sand, both indoor and outdoor climbing walls, a golf course, the Petynka aqua park with heated water and 103-meter-long water coaster or two natural swimming pools. One can enjoy the Ladronka grounds with 3,5 km long in-line skating track, almost 100 km of various bicycle routes and trails, gyms, halls or outdoor playgrounds with artificial surface. There is also possible to visit various clubs, theatres and galleries.

Prague 6 is in demand not only for living, administration and business agencies but also for diplomatic missions. Most of the foreign missions to the Czech Republic have been primarily residing in Dejvice, Bubeneč and Ořechovka thanks to the quality residential development from the 19^th and 20^th century. In Prague 6 today, there are 65 diplomatic status buildings, e.g. embassies and residencies. Metropolitan District representatives meet the heads of these missions on regular basis at the “Glass of Wine”.

Vast areas of parks and urban greenery with playgrounds and monuments have branded Prague 6 as a “green district”. Thanks to the thorough maintenance and gradual reconstruction of individual areas, the municipal authority maintains more than 200 hectares of urban greenery in these days. There are the automatic irrigation systems installed in Hadovka and Slunná parks. The nature reserve Šárka – Lysolaje and Strahov – Motol slopes with Hvězda preserve belong among the largest green areas.

Annually most visited Prague 6 tradition would be three-day folk festival Shrovetide in Břevnov with the mask parade as a main attraction. The long history record has got the Břevnov feast held regularly in October since 18^th century. Its place in the calendar of folk festivals has permanently found Dejvice’s Xmas of Prague 6 or the Children’s Day in June at Petynka swimming pool. The youngest tradition belongs to the Day of Prague 6 connected with the Honourary Citizenship Awards at Břevnov Monastery in September. They have succeeded to reinstate formerly popular after Easter festivity “Slamník” in Bubeneč. There are two traditions originating in Dejvice – the Hanspaulka League, which is the most popular amateur soccer league in our country, and the Hanspaulka Musical Movement.

Prague 6 has become the seat of five universities that by their form and content also influence the character of the district. The largest complex belongs to the Czech Technical University. It is the oldest and biggest technical university capacity wise in the Czech Republic. First lessons started in 1718 and there are more than 22 thousand students (including more than 1000 foreign ones) at seven faculties (of civil engineering, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, of nuclear science and physical engineering, of architecture and of transportation science, of biomedical engineering) at present. Within the same complex, there is also the Institute of Chemical Technology – the biggest educational institution of its kind in Central Europe, with 170-year-old history. Further there are the Faculty of Physical Education and Sport at Charles University, the Catholic Theological Faculty at Charles University and the Czech University of Agriculture.

Attractiveness of the Metropolitan District Prague 6 is supported not only by historic sights but also by the unique works of modern times. Thanks to the Ruzyně International Airport, awarded the prestigious prize World Airport Awards 2005 for the best airport in the Central and Eastern Europe, Prague 6 is considered to be not only the gateway to the City of Prague but also to the whole Czech Republic. The Prague 6 visitors find their comfort in luxurious four/five-star hotels as well as in many other pleasant boarding houses. There are six tourist points of interest found only in Prague 6. The Břevnov Monastery – first male monastery in Bohemia from the 10^th century; the Písecká Gate – the only preserved gate of the Prague Baroque fortification; the Strahov Stadium – the biggest outdoor stadium in Europe; the Hvězda hunting castle a deer park and the battle memorial on the White Mountain in 1620; the residential settlement of Baba 1932 and the functional Muller Villa.

Demographic data:
(According to the last census in 2001)
Prague 6 is predominantly of residential and recreational character, university concentration and only marginal industry.

Contact address:
Municipal Authority of Prague 6
Čs. armády 23
160 52 Praha 6
Czech Republic

Official website: www.praha6.cz
E-mail: podatelna@praha6.cz