Is Prague German?

By Anna Duncan

Prague is a beautiful city located in the heart of Europe that attracts millions of tourists every year. But when it comes to its history and cultural heritage, there is often a debate whether Prague is German or not.

What is the History of Prague?

Prague has a rich and complex history that dates back to the 9th century. The city has been ruled by various empires and kingdoms over the centuries, including the Holy Roman Empire, the Habsburg Monarchy, and Nazi Germany.

During the time of the Holy Roman Empire, Prague was part of the Kingdom of Bohemia, which was ruled by Czechs. However, in the late 19th century, with the rise of nationalism in Europe, there was a movement to promote German culture and language in Bohemia. This led to tensions between Czechs and Germans living in Prague.

During World War II, Prague was occupied by Nazi Germany, which led to further forced Germanization of the city. However, after World War II ended and Nazi Germany fell, Czechoslovakia (including Prague) became part of Soviet-controlled Eastern Europe.

Is Prague German?

No, Prague is not German. While there have been periods in history where Germans have had significant influence over Prague’s culture and language (such as during the Habsburg Monarchy), today Czechs are overwhelmingly the majority ethnic group in Prague.

In fact, after World War II ended and Czechoslovakia became a communist state under Soviet control, there was a movement to “re-Czechify” Prague by promoting Czech culture and language over German.

Today, while you might find some Germans living or visiting in Prague (and certainly some traces of German influence in its architecture and cultural heritage), it would be inaccurate to call Prague a “German city.”

Conclusion

Prague’s history is complex and multi-faceted. While it’s true that German culture and language have had an impact on Prague at various times in history, the city is overwhelmingly Czech today. So if you’re planning a trip to Prague, don’t expect to find a “German” city – but do expect to find a beautiful and culturally rich destination that’s worth exploring.