Cynthia Paces

Cynthia Paces, a history professor at The College of New Jersey and author of "Prague: The Heart of Europe," takes listeners on a captivating journey through Prague's tumultuous history. She discusses its evolution from a fortified settlement to a cultural capital under Charles IV, highlighting its architecture and the legacies of figures like Good King Wenceslas and Jan Hus. Paces also sheds light on the city's experiences with antisemitism, Nazi occupation, and communism, ultimately revealing how these shape Prague's identity and resilience today.

Cynthia Paces, a Professor of History at the College of New Jersey, unpacks the multifaceted history of Prague in her latest book. She delves into the city’s golden ages under Charles IV and Rudolf II, and the turmoil of the Hussite and Thirty Years Wars. The discussion highlights Prague’s vibrant Jewish culture, the rise of Czech nationalism, and the cultural dynamics during the World Wars and Nazi occupation. Paces also reflects on the Velvet Revolution's unique nonviolent transition and Prague's evolution into a modern European hub.