Azerbaijan`s First Lady visits Prague Castle and Museum of Decorative Arts in Prague - PHOTOS

First lady of Azerbaijan Mehriban Aliyeva yesterday visited the Museum of Decorative Arts in Prague. Mrs. Aliyeva was told that founded in 1885 the Museum collects and preserves for future generations - in both national and international contexts - examples of historical and contemporary crafts, as well as applied arts and design.

The Museum`s rich collections include decorative and applied arts and design work ranging from Late Antiquity to the present day, with focus on European objects, particularly arts and crafts created in the Bohemian Lands. The impressive interior of the permanent exhibition “Stories of Materials” offers visitors an excursion into the history and development of decorative arts: glass and ceramics, graphic art and design, objects made in metal, wood and other materials, jewellery, clocks and watches, textiles, fashion, toys and furniture.

The idea of establishing a permanent exhibition of decorative and applied arts in Prague was realised through an exhibition arranged by the Arkadia Association in 1861 at the Old Town Hall in Prague. Tourists who visit the Museum get information here about cultural values of the country.
 
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Azerbaijani first lady Mehriban Aliyeva yesterday had a meeting with the spouse of the Czech President Livia Klausova in Prague. Accompanied by her Czech counterpart, Mehriban Aliyeva then viewed Prague Castle.

The history of the castle stretches back to the 9th century. Prague Castle is the biggest castle in the world at about 570 metres in length and an average of about 130 metres wide.

The castle buildings represent virtually every architectural style of the last millennium. The Prague Castle includes Gothic St Vitus Cathedral, Romanesque Basilica of St. George, a monastery and several palaces, gardens and defense towers.

Most of the castle areas are open to tourists. Nowadays, the castle houses several museums, including the National Gallery collection of Bohemian baroque and mannerism art, exhibition dedicated to Czech history, Toy Museum and the picture gallery of Prague Castle.

A UNESCO World Heritage site, it consists of a large-scale composition of palaces and ecclesiastical buildings of various architectural styles, from Roman-style buildings from the 10th century through Gothic modifications in the 14th century. Famous Slovenian architect Josip Ple?nik was responsible for extensive renovations in the time of the First Republic (1918-1938).

Since the Velvet Revolution, the Prague Castle has undergone significant and ongoing repairs and reconstructions. The last major rebuilding of the castle was carried out by Queen Maria Theresa in the second half of the 18th century. Ferdinand V, after abdication in 1848, chose Prague Castle as his home.

In 1918 the castle became the seat of the president of the new Czechoslovak Republic. The New Royal Palace and the gardens were renovated by Slovenian architect Joze Plecnik. Renovations continued in 1936 under Plecnik`s successor Pavel Janak.

Mehriban Aliyeva watched a public worship process in one of the castle`s churches. During the tour of the castle the Azerbaijani first lady also listened to the harp.