Prague
is one of the most beautiful cities I’ve ever visited (and readers of this blog know I’ve traveled a lot)! History
has it Prague was spared from bombing during World War II because it is so spectacular.
Prague’s
Old Town Square is one of several highlights…
Here's the Church of Our Lady before Tyn with its
spectacular twin spires...
There's beautiful architecture, everywhere you
look…
And below
is Prague’s famous medieval astronomical clock. It was designed by clockmaster Jan Růže (also
called Hanuš)
around 1490. My tour guide recounted the story that the astronomical clock was
such an impressive and beautiful piece of work that the Prague City Council was so jealous Hanuš
was getting offers from other European cities to create similar clocks that the
Council kidnapped Hanuš and gouged out his eyes so that he couldn’t create
another masterpiece!! However, Hanuš – now blind and knowing his career was
over – got his revenge by climbing to the top of the clock tower and throwing
himself into the gears, killing himself but disabling the clock for more than
100 years! (The clock IS beautiful... at certain times of day, little carved figures come out and parade around to mark the hour.)
The
other major site in Prague is the Charles Bridge, named after King Charles IV
who founded Prague (modeling it after Paris). The Charles Bridge is
pedestrian-only (since it was built in the 1300’s) and statues of saints and
apostles line the bridge…
 |
| Statue of King Charles IV at the entrance to the Charles Bridge |
You
can see the statues of saints and apostles lining the bridge (above)…
There
are quite a few bridges that cross the Vltava river. This shot (below)
actually DOES remind me of Paris!
Catholics
believe the Infant of Prague (a statue located in the Church of Our Lady
Victorious, said to originally been owned by St. Theresa of Avila) can grant miracles. We all know someone who needs a miracle,
so I stopped to say a prayer…
Remember
I said King Charles modeled Prague after Paris? It seems tourists who come here
are trying to make it more like Paris by “locking” their love to a railing near
the Vltava river, then throwing the key into the water so that love lasts
forever (i.e. it can’t be unlocked)…
I leave you with this spectacular picture of Prague
at night…
Prague
should definitely be on everyone’s bucket list! It is a beautiful city. I'll have pictures
of Warsaw next month!
Jenna
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