Prague Prepares To Celebrate The 700th Anniversary Of The Birth Of King Charles IV

PRAGUE, CZECH REPUBLIC - MAY 09: A general view of the St. Vitus Cathedral on May 9, 2016 in Prague, Czech Republic. Ruler Charles IV began the construction of the St. Vitus Cathedral in 1344. Its first builders, Matthias of Arras and later Peter Parler, built the St. Wenceslas Chapel, the Golden Gate and the lower part of the Great South Tower. 2016 is the 700th anniversary of Charles IV's birth and is to be marked with commemorative events in Prague and around the Czech Republic. Celebrations will start on May 14, on the day when Charles IV was born. Charles IV, of Luxembourgh dynasty, was German king, king of Bohemia and Holy Roman Emperor from 1335 until his death in 1378. In this present, Charles IV is still regarded as 'father of the country' in the Czech Republic. During his reign Prague became the capital of the Holy Roman Empire. (Photo by Matej Divizna/Getty Images)