Me at Charles Bridge.
I have just returned from my 5 day trip to Prague - the capital of the Chech Republic and the head of the region of Bohemia. Exploring Prague on my own was a truly magical, almost spiritual experience. It does not surprise me that no other Chech city has been written and talked about as much as Prague. Prague is steeped in literary tradition and fascinating legends. Small wonder, given its rich and somewhat turbulent history (the Hussite revolution, Nazi
occupation, Communist rule, the Velvet Revolution, the dissolution of
Czechoslovakia). Plus there is the absurdly beautiful architecture. Mix that with a strong tradition in the
arts and you have got a great place to immerse yourself in history and culture. It is a city full of winding, steep streets and charming squares. It was here that according to the legend, Rabbi Loew brought clay Golem to life, Arcimboldo created his rich portraits, alchemists flocked to Rudolph II court and sought to discover philosopher's stone. It was here that the the early Christian reformer John Huss preached and Franz Kafka wrote his dark and oppressive works. Strolling around Prague today means immersing oneself in the magic and mysteries of the past.
Among the most notable sculptures, one can find the statuaries of St. Luthgard, the Holy Crucifix and Calvary, and John of Nepomuk. Well known also is the statue of the knight Bruncvík, although it was erected some 200 years later and does not belong to the main avenue.In beginning of 1965, all of the statues have been systematically replaced by replicas, and the originals have been exhibited in the lapidarium of the National Museum (Wikipedia).
Prague, known as the City of a Hundred Spires, is a UNESCO monument and one of the most beautiful and atmospheric cities in the world. I believe that everyone should get to know it in person!
Few cities have as much to offer as Prague, so it can be difficult to decide how best to spend your time. The Old Town is joy in itself, and you can ramble around here admiring its old houses for days. Yet, with some planning you can see much more of what makes this historic city special!
Charles Bridge
Charles Bridge is one of the most beautiful stone bridges in the world. Strolling across Charles Bridge is everybody’s favourite Prague activity. However, by 9am the bridge turns into a 500m-long fairground, with a never-ending hordes of tourists squeezing beneath the stone gaze of the baroque statues that line the balustrades. If you want to experience the bridge at its most atmospheric,try to visit it at dawn. I visited the bridge at 07:30 (I really wanted to come earlier but getting up early is a torture for me) - the sun was giving glorious greeting to the bridge and its majestic statues and catching the fog rising from Vlatva river. The image of Prague shrouded in the morning fog is so mysterious and unforgettable.
The bridge is 621 metres (2,037 ft) long and nearly 10 metres (33 ft) wide, resting on 16 arches shielded by ice guards. As the only means of crossing the river Vltava (Moldau) until 1841, the Charles Bridge was the most important connection between Prague Castle and the city's Old Town and adjacent areas. This "solid-land" connection made Prague important as a trade route between Eastern and Western Europe. The bridge is decorated by a continuous alley of 30 statues and statuaries, most of them baroque-style, originally erected around 1700 but now all replaced by replicas (Wikipedia).
The avenue of 30 mostly baroque statues and statuaries situated on the balustrade forms a unique connection of artistic styles with the underlying gothic bridge. Most sculptures were erected between 1683 and 1714. They depict various saints and patron saints venerated at that time. The most prominent Bohemian sculptors of the time took part in decorating the bridge, such as Matthias Braun, Jan Brokoff, and his sons Michael Joseph and Ferdinand Maxmilian.Among the most notable sculptures, one can find the statuaries of St. Luthgard, the Holy Crucifix and Calvary, and John of Nepomuk. Well known also is the statue of the knight Bruncvík, although it was erected some 200 years later and does not belong to the main avenue.In beginning of 1965, all of the statues have been systematically replaced by replicas, and the originals have been exhibited in the lapidarium of the National Museum (Wikipedia).
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Prague Castle and Hradcany
(Prazsky Hrad A Hradcany)
The history of Prague begins
with the Castle founded in the 9th century by Prince Borivoj. The largest
castle in the world, this vast complex requires considerable time to tour.
Within the castle walls are number of Prague's most popular tourist sites,
including St. Vitus Cathedral, the Powder Tower, the Old Royal Palace and the
Golden Lane. According to the Guinness Book of World Records, Prague Castle is
the largest coherent castle complex in the world, with an area of almost
70,000 m². A UNESCO World Heritage site, it consists of
a large-scale composition of palaces and ecclesiastical buildings of
various architectural styles, from the remains of Romanesque-style
buildings from the 10th century through Gothic modifications of the
14th century. The famous Slovenian architect Josip Plečnik was responsible
for extensive renovations in the time of the First Republic (1918-1938).
Since the Velvet Revolution, Prague Castle has undergone significant and
ongoing repairs and reconstructions.
Despite periodic fires and
invasions, Prague Castle has retained churches, chapels, halls and towers from
every period of its history, from the Gothic splendour of St Vitus' Cathedral
to the Renaissance additions of Rudolph II, the last Habsburg to use the Castle
as his principal residence. The courtyards date from 1753-75 when the whole
area was rebuilt in Late Baroque and Neo-Classical styles. The Castle became
the seat of the Czechosloviak president in 1918, and the current president of
the Chech Republic has an office here.
St. Vitus Cathedral
The Czech
Republic's largest Christian building, the Roman Catholic St. Vitus Cathedral
(Katedrala St Vita) is the seat of the Archbishop of Prague and contains the
tombs of important saints and Bohemian kings. Founded on the site of a
Romanesque rotunda built in 925 AD, construction of St. Vitus started in 1344,
but due to interruptions by wars and plagues, took more than 525 years to
complete. As a result, its architecture is an eclectic mix of styles including
elements of modern Neo-Gothic and 14th-century Gothic elements, with a
sprinkling of Baroque and Renaissance influences. Among its most interesting
features are the stunning stained glass windows depicting the Holy Trinity, and
The Last Judgment, a splendid
mosaic from 1370 above the Golden Portal. Another highlight is the exquisite
St. Wenceslas Chapel (Svatováclavská kaple) with its jewel-encrusted altar, as
well as numerous paintings dating from the 14th to 16th centuries. Also worth
visiting is the Treasury, one of the richest such collections in Europe with many
priceless artifacts dating back as far as the Middle Ages, and the lookout
gallery in the South Tower with its superb views over the city and castle
grounds.
St. Vitus Cathedral
Golden Portal
Until the 19th century
Golden Portal was the main cathedral entrance. In the picture above you can see
The Last Judgement mosaic. The mosaic is 14th-century Venetian art
masterpiece, polished with gold.
St. Vitus Cathedral at sunrise
The cathedral contains the Czech crown jewels, tombs of various royals
including the Holy Roman Emperor Karel IV, after whom the Charles Bridge
is named, as well as a holy relic in the form of the arm of St Vitus himself.
St Vitus was a martyr who died during a period of persecution in the pagan
Roman empire, supposedly from being thrown into a pot of boiling oil.
He is now the patron saint of actors, comedians, dancers and epileptics
(the neurological condition called "St Vitus dance" is named after him).
Tomb of St John Nepomuk
Crafted from solid silver in 1736, this elaborate tomb honours St John who became the focus of Counter-Reformation. Roman Emperor (and Bohemian King) Wenceslaus had St. John thrown into
the Vltva River from the Charles Bridge in 1383 after St. John refused
to confess Weceslaus' wive's infidelity - holding true to the Catholic
principles of the Seal of Confession. This certainly made St. John of
Nepomuk a martyr for carrying out his faithful duties. Three and half
centuries after his drowning, in 1719, St. John's body was pulled from
the river and he was canonized in 1729. His tomb - found within St.
Vitus Cathedral in Prague - is a tribute fitting of a saint drowned as a
martyr and was created out of two tons of silver by Fischer von Erlach
in 1736. The tomb is majestic and impressive. It encapsultes Baroque fascination with splendour, opulence and richness of details and decorations.
St. Vitus Cathedral at sunrise
The cathedral contains the Czech crown jewels, tombs of various royals
including the Holy Roman Emperor Karel IV, after whom the Charles Bridge
is named, as well as a holy relic in the form of the arm of St Vitus himself.
St Vitus was a martyr who died during a period of persecution in the pagan
Roman empire, supposedly from being thrown into a pot of boiling oil.
He is now the patron saint of actors, comedians, dancers and epileptics
(the neurological condition called "St Vitus dance" is named after him).
Tomb of St John Nepomuk
Crafted from solid silver in 1736, this elaborate tomb honours St John who became the focus of Counter-Reformation. Roman Emperor (and Bohemian King) Wenceslaus had St. John thrown into
the Vltva River from the Charles Bridge in 1383 after St. John refused
to confess Weceslaus' wive's infidelity - holding true to the Catholic
principles of the Seal of Confession. This certainly made St. John of
Nepomuk a martyr for carrying out his faithful duties. Three and half
centuries after his drowning, in 1719, St. John's body was pulled from
the river and he was canonized in 1729. His tomb - found within St.
Vitus Cathedral in Prague - is a tribute fitting of a saint drowned as a
martyr and was created out of two tons of silver by Fischer von Erlach
in 1736. The tomb is majestic and impressive. It encapsultes Baroque fascination with splendour, opulence and richness of details and decorations.
Old Roayal Palace (Vladislav Hall)
Golden Lane
Golden Lane (Zlatá ulička) is an ancient street within the Prague Castle complex.Golden Lane dates from the 15th Century and
has a beautiful, olden world quaintness about it. It comprises 11 historic
houses, inside which period scenes have been created to show the life of the
artisans who once worked, ate, drank and slept in them.In the upper level of the houses are medieval
armoury and textile displays. Visitors can also try shooting a crossbow.
Golden Lane was created when a new outer wall
was added to the existing Romanesque castle complex. It was originally known as
Zlatnická ulička (Goldsmith's Lane), due to the many goldsmiths residing in the
houses.In its early years Golden Lane consisted of
even smaller dwellings. Eventually, as each fell into disrepair they were
replaced by the houses we see today.
The entrance to Golden Lane is payable, but
visitors cannot buy a ticket for this alone. You need one of the Prague Castle
self-guided visitor tickets, which cost 250czk (short visit ticket) or 350czk
(long visit ticket), and include admission to other parts of the castle too. (Source: visit Prague)
The castle area is bustling with folk music...
.... and the old town is full of quirks such as levitating street performers
