Prague

Prague at the Beginning of the Twentieth Century

This old map of Prague was prepared for Meyers Konversations-Lexikon and published by the Bibliographisches Institut in Leipzig at the beginning of the twentieth century. Its closely drawn streets and transport routes record a city in transition, where Prague’s historic quarters stood beside expanding suburbs, railway infrastructure and an increasingly modern public transport system.

Map Details

• Original title: Prag
• Additional inset: Prag und Umgebung
• Publisher: Bibliographisches Institut, Leipzig
• Source publication: Meyers Konversations-Lexikon
• Approximate date: Circa 1905
• Main-map scale: 1:27,000
• Inset scale: 1:70,000
• Orientation: North towards the top
• Area shown: Central Prague and the wider surrounding city
• Language: German
• Format: Colour-printed street and transport plan

Prague and the River Vltava

The River Vltava, labelled Moldau in German, divides the main map from north to south. Several islands lie within the river, while bridges connect the districts on either bank. The plan clearly marks the Charles Bridge and the Franz Joseph Bridge, together with later crossings serving the growing city.

On the western bank are the elevated districts of Hradčany and Malá Strana, labelled Hradschin and Kleinseite. Prague Castle and St Vitus Cathedral occupy their commanding position above the river.

Across the water lie the Old Town, New Town and Josefov. Their German map names—Altstadt, Neustadt and Josefstadt—reflect Prague’s position within the Austro-Hungarian Empire and the multilingual character of the city at the time.

Streets, Railways and Electric Tramways

This is not simply a plan of historic monuments. Railway stations, connecting lines and goods facilities occupy substantial areas around the centre. The map distinguishes conventional railways from electric tramways, revealing how public transport was reshaping movement through Prague.

The dense medieval streets of the Old Town contrast with the broader, more regular avenues of the New Town and the developing districts beyond. Wenceslas Square, labelled Wenzelsplatz, forms one of the most recognisable spaces on the eastern side of the river.

The Wider Prague Inset

The lower-left inset places the central plan within a much broader landscape. It follows the Vltava through districts including Holešovice, Bubeneč, Smíchov, Vinohrady and Vyšehrad, showing how formerly separate settlements were becoming connected to the expanding capital.