Wednesday, June 21, 2006
Tuesday, June 20, 2006
Old-New Synagogue
Still in use, this Gothic building is the oldest synagogue in Europe and has survived since around 1270.
Modern Martyr
Student Jan Palach burnt himself to death in Wenceslas Square to protest the Soviet occupation. As you can see, people leave flowers in his honor.
Church of St. Gall - Statue on Facade
Built around 1280, in the 18th Century there was a Baroque renovation, including figures of saints on the outside of the church.
Pastel Buildings in Old Town Square
The pale yellow, Art Nouveau building on the right was built in 1898 and has sculptures of firefighters on top. This pretty edifice houses the Ministry of Local Development. Now that's what government offices ought to look like!
Saturday, June 17, 2006
Jan Hus Monument
Massive sculpture in honor of Jan Hus (circa 1915), who was burnt at the stake as a heretic in 1415, giving up his life rather than forfeit his beliefs.
Old Town Square: East and North Sides
The building in sunlight on the right is Kinsky Palace, a lovely pink and white stucco Rococo palace which is now used for art exhibits.
Astronomical Clock at Old Town Hall
There has been a clock here since the beginning of the 15th century. On the hour, a procession of the 12 apostles appears at the two windows above the round clock face (if you look carefully, you will see a couple of apostles at the open windows, as this photograph was taken at 3 pm.) Also, the skeleton to the right of the clock pulls a rope and turns over an hourglass and the Turk beside him moves his head. Other moving figures are Vanity (who looks at himself in a mirror) and Greed. At the end of the display, a cock crows and the clock chimes the hour. Quite a spectacle that attracts a huge crowd of spectators!
Lady with Friends
This lady sits with some pigeons on a balcony and watches the flocks of people stroll by on Karlova (Charles Street), on their way to Old Town Square from Charles Bridge.
This is an Art Nouveau statue of the legendary Princess Libuse, head of a West Slavic tribe that founded the Premyslids, a dynasty that ruled Prague for 400 years. She succeeded her father and became the first woman ruler. She married a humble ploughman. She is said to have had a vision that foretold Prague's glories.
This is an Art Nouveau statue of the legendary Princess Libuse, head of a West Slavic tribe that founded the Premyslids, a dynasty that ruled Prague for 400 years. She succeeded her father and became the first woman ruler. She married a humble ploughman. She is said to have had a vision that foretold Prague's glories.
Crooked alleys eveywhere
Around every corner there is another intriguing curving street beckoning you to follow it. We had great fun getting lost!
King Wenceslas
This guy presides over the square at the entrance to the Charles Bridge on the Old Town (Stare Mesto) side.
Monday, May 29, 2006
Entrance to Charles Bridge from Old Town
This shot was taken early in the day so it is eerily free of the crowds that usually engulf this area.
Sunday, May 14, 2006
This blog contains an account of our five day visit to Prague. We never did get over the jet lag while we were there but we enjoyed ourselves in spite of it! We were shocked at the beauty of the city. Since our visit was so short, we didn't get to see everything, but hopefully these photographs will give a small taste of the glories of Prague. This is the first building we encountered after leaving the hotel the afternoon we arrived.
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