Karel IV

King of Bohemia, King of Italy, King of Burgundy, King of the Romans, Count of Luxembourg, Margrave of Bradenburg and Holy Roman emperor

Karel IV - Life

14 May 1316 29 November 1378, Prague was born to king Jan Lucembursk in Prague as Vaclav because of desicion of his father he was brought up in France 1323 was confirmed as Karel in honor of his uncle king Karel IV of France and at his place he lived for 7 next years he could have spoken 5 languages Latin,Czech,German,French and Italian. he had 4 wifes and 12 kids He wrote autobiographic book called Vita Caroli

Karel IV - Legacy

He established Prague as the cultural capital of central Europe and made it one of the most prosperous European cities at the time. Prague bishopric was elevated to an archbishopric Many building projects (e.g. St. Vitus Cathedral) In 1348, Prague's New Town (Nov msto) was founded, also Charles University was established to become the first university in Central Europe Karltejn castle (1348) has been built to protect the imperial jewels and other treasures Charles Bridge (over 500m long)

Karel IV and Italy

In 1331 Karel IV went first time to Italy. He came to city Pavia on the 29th of March, 1331 and there was nearly poissned by an assassin, who had been sent by the lord Azza Visconti. On the 25th of November, 1332, after fight near castle San Felice, Karel IV with many others was promoted to knight. In 1333 Karel IV went to Luccy, where he had set his administration. Here he had set up a city and a camp for city safety. To king of Lombardy Karel IV was crowned on the 6th January, 1355 in Milano. To emperor of Rome he was crowned on the 5th of April, 1335. In April, 1367 pope Urban V left Avignon and came back to Rome in October, 1367, because of Karel IV Then Albta Pomoansk (Karels 4th wife) was crowned on the 1st of November, 1368 to empress of Holy Roman

Karel IV and Francesco Petrarca

Karel IV met up with Francesco Petrarca and invited him to Prague Petrarca came to Prague in 1356 Petrarca asked him to restore and rescue the unity of the Italian territory Karel IV wanted Prague to be the capital city of Empire, many Italian hummanists didnt like this idea because they wanted Rome to be the capital city (Karel IV and Petrarca wrote to each other on this topic a lot, those letters have been preserved)

FATHER OF THE NATION

Karel IV is remembered as the most beloved Czech king and the "father of the Czech country/Pater Patriae".