Eastern and Central Europe (Eyewitness Travel Guides)

Great Capitals

Until the 20th century, Eastern and Central Europe

were characterized by powerful empires rather than

indepen dent nation states. These royal dynasties built

magnificent cathedrals, palaces and castles to symbolize

their greatness and assert their supremacy, giving rise

to some of Europe’s most impres sive capital cities.

Several imperial cities, including Vienna and Budapest,

were repositories of a fascinat ing mix of cultures, reflect-

ing the rich ethnic diversity of the local population.

24 EASTERN AND CENTRAL EUROPE AT A GLANCE

Budapest

Straddling the Danube

river, the Hungarian

capital enjoyed something

of an architec tural golden

age in the 19th century,

endow ing the city with an

array of fine buildings.

Vienna

In terms of

imperial gran deur,

few cities can

match Vienna,

once capital of the

Habsburg Empire

and still the epit-

ome of Central

European style.

0 km

0 miles

250

250

Prague

This remarkable city on the

Vltava river has long been

consid ered one of Europe’s

most magical capi tals, boast-

ing cobbled medie val alleys,

soar ing Gothic spires and

lively squares.

BALTIC

SEA

A

D

R

IA

T

IC

(^)
(^) S
EA
POLAND
CZECH
REPUBLIC
SLOVAKIA
BOSNIA AND
HERZEGOVINA
HUNGARY
Vienna
CROATIA
AUSTRIA
SLOVENIA
MONTENEGRO