Jewels of Bohemia - May 23 - June 6, 2018
(Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary)
Part One, Czech Republic
Page Two, Prague continued
Inside St. Francis of Assisi Church in Old Town Prague
near the Charles Bridge
St. Charles Bridge to the left and Prague Castle
across the Vltava River nearing sunset
Prague Castle at sunset
Charles Bridge after sunset
Our tour guide Vladan eating gelato. He was originally from Serbia but
migrated
to Prague.
Wallenstein Palace and Garden with Prague Castle above. The original Palace was
built in 1623-1630 by Albrecht von Wallenstein, Duke of Mecklenburg
(1583-1634), who made his name and fortune as the Commander-in-Chief of the
Imperial forces in the Thirty Years War, 1618-1648.
Wallenstein Palace Garden. The 30 Years' War was initially a war
between various Protestant and Catholic states in the fragmented
Holy Roman Empire. It gradually developed into a more general conflict involving
most of the European great powers. These states employed relatively large
mercenary armies, and the war became less about religion and more of a
continuation of the France–Hapsburg rivalry for European political pre-eminence.
Part of the extensive Wallenstein Palace garden area
Another part of Wallenstein Palace with Prague Castle above.
The Czech Senate now meets here.
One of the works of David Cerny, controversial Czech sculptor.
Two bronze men stand opposite each other 'urinating' into a shallow pool. The
hips of these statues, which move as they urinate, are spelling out quotes from
famous Czech literary figures. It's not just a shallow pool they are urinating into;
it's the outline of the Czech Republic, so they are urinating on the country itself.
You can send a text message to a number (listed nearby the sculpture)
and the sculpture will spell the message for you. Not sure what the
sculpture means. The artist apparently doesn't explain his work.
Love padlocks on a bridge that sweethearts locked to it to
symbolize their love. Key is supposed to be thrown away.
Memorial plaque in Prague
The memorial in Prague to New York City firefighters after 9/11
Vltava River view from Charles Bridge
Walking on Charles Bridge
Charles Bridge tower on one end of the bridge, on the Little Quarter side
Czech child walking on the cobblestoned streets of Prague
Vysehrad, a former hilltop fortress turned park. View of the National Cemetery in
that area where many famous Czech greats, including composer Antonin Dvorak,
are buried. I was the only one in the tour group that went to this area.
Vysehrad has nice views overlooking the City. Prague Castle, including
St. Vitus
Cathedral, in the background.
Powder Tower in Old Town, a 500+ year old tower that was the main gate of the
old town wall. It also housed the city's gunpowder. This is the only surviving
bit of the wall that was built to defend Prague in the 1400s.
Near Powder Tower is Municipal House, a civic building that houses Smetana Hall, a
celebrated concert venue, in Prague. It is located on Republic Square next to the
Powder Tower. The Royal Court palace used to be located on the site of the
Municipal House. From 1383 until 1485 the King of Bohemia lived in the property.
After 1485, it was abandoned. It was demolished in the early 20th century.
Construction of the current building started in 1905, and it opened in 1912.
The Municipal House was the location of the Czechoslovak declaration of
independence in 1918 from the Hapsburgs.
Link to Page Three - Cesky Krumlov, Czech Republic area
Pat's Home Page