Prague, Czech Republic
Prague is the capital of the Czech Republic. After being occupied by the Nazis during World War II it was occupied by Russia until 1991. The Czech Republic had a peaceful split from Slovakia in 1993. We took a two hour train to Prague from Dresden. We took a city bus from the train station to the Hotel Hermitage. Mark flew in and we met there. We enjoyed walking Prague with Rick Steve’s guidebook and walking tours. Mark and I did an Ebike tour one afternoon, which we really liked.
Twin Towers of Church of Our Lady at old town square in Prague. Urban legend was two brothers built the towers and one was lazy and cut corners so his is narrower
We took the train from Dresden to Prague. They made a dramatic announcement on the train when you crossed from Germany to the Czech Republic.
The Clock Tower. Mark did one of the things he dislikes most… crossed time zones to meet me in Prague! We had dinner at one of the restaurants on the square (Bohemian meal and Mark’s favorite).
Vlltava River with the Charles Bridge, Prague Castle, and St Vitus Cathedral behind us
Prague Astronomical Clock installed in 1410 and still works! People gather in old town square to watch it do its thing at the top of the hour.
We also stood in the square to watch it do its thing -the procession of the Twelve Apostles, the skeletons, the hourglass...I was standing watching it, hardly blinking and I MISSED the culmination of the show, the Roster crowing. Mark consoled me that I could certainly watch it on YouTube...
Selfie with guard in front of Prague Castle. He was very happy to be in my picture...see him smile?
Saint Vitus Cathedral, below, we were imitating how the other women posed for pictures. Saint Vitus is located within the Prague Castle. The spires on the right are blacker because they are made with sandstone and it absorbs pollution- and it took a LONG time to compete St Vitus Cathedral!!. Prague Castle, part of iconic Prague belonged to the Bohemian monarchy. Empress Maria Theresa had significant construction done to the castle (she was the mother of Marie Antoinette).
David Černý is a controversial and prolific artist who has a lot of work on public display in Prague. Peeing Figures - anecdotally Russia and East Germany pissing on the Czech Republic. The sculptures can rotate their hips and raise their penis so that the water stream can draw letters on the surface of the water. For a while you could text in your name and they would have the statues write it. David Černý is a controversial and prolific artist who has a lot of work on public display in Prague.
Wenceslas Square in New Town Quarter has King Wenceslas, the "good king" of Christmas-carol fame, sitting astride the big equestrian statue at the top of the boulevard. The statue is a popular meeting point among locals, who like to say, "I'll meet you under the horse's tail." While I was checking out the department stores, Mark took off to do his thing. He didn't miss the opportunity to say "I will meet you at the horses ass". David Černý has a version of this statue where the horse and rider are upside down.
John Lennon Peace Wall- located right across from The French Embassy- where allegedly it is NOT illegal to do graffiti….
The Jewish Cemetery in Prague. FYI Jews were murdered in Prague, too, once Hitler took over. One of the things I remember from the Jewish museums was a display of Childrens art that children had made in a concentration camp. The teacher hid it under a floor board so it survived. It had children's drawings about executions, not being allowed on playgrounds, the every day life in a concentration camp ....spooky such topics were what the children drew.
Typical Prague street
Iconic Dancing Building. Mark and I stopped for a coffee and croissant in the coffee shop there on our way to dinner- because I was getting hangry.
It was gratifying to see all the support for Ukraine. Impressive considering these folks are on the front line suffering from the lack of fuel from Russia. They are planning on a cold winter....
Incredible desserts here- the name means black madonna and the cafe was very cubist.
Klementinum is the National Library of the Czech Republic. This baroque library survived WWII without damage! This is how it has been - it hasn't been restored.
The historical library also has an observatory in the astronomical tower built in 1772 (68 meters high-172 steps)with the oldest weather records in Europe-over 250 years. Let me sum it up by saying ADA is not a thing with this tower. At the top they let us out to the "balcony" - and the views were fantastic. Above and Below you can see Old Town Square including Twin Towers of Church of Our Lady and the clock tower.
This is Vodnik, the water goblin. Parents tell their children to stay away from the water or Vodnik will get them- so he really keeps children from drowning. Mark was enamored with Vodnik and promises to have one on our dock soon....
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